Haggard recovering heroin addict James (The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time’s Luke Treadaway) is trapped in a destitute cycle of homelessness and meagre vagrancy on the unforgiving streets of a perpetually sodden London. After a circumstantial relapse and near fatal overdose Bowen is given one last chance to turn his life around by his patient support worker, Val (Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt). Relocated to a North London support housing bedsit James settles into a routine methadone program and an increased sense of stability. Director Roger Spottiswoode is no stranger when it comes to animal focused features having helmed the Tom Hanks detective/dog double act Turner & Hooch way back in 1989. Spottiswoode does a refined juggling act when it comes to highlighting the film’s darker reality of substance abuse, with Bowen’s cold turkey attempt being particularly dour given Bob’s family friendly 12A certificate. A notable British cast provide the devoted duo with some clichéd heartstring tugging subplots including James’ attempt to reconcile with ashamed middle class dad (Anthony Head) and a promising love interest in the form of next door neighbour Belle (Ruta Gedmintas), a bohemian vegan hippie who just so happens to be a voluntarily veterinary nurse. A heart felt comedy intertwined with a straight laced morality tale, A Street Cat Named Bob is a soul warming experience that will leave you purring. Another British triumph. A Street Cat Named Bob is in UK cinemas now.
