“Bobcat Moretti” is the third movie written by an unknown actor as a showbiz vehicle that I’ve reviewed this year. You have to hand it to these go-get-em, entrepreneurial, proactive, resourceful actors. It’s always a monumental achievement to get a movie made. However, to get a high-quality movie made, especially on a low budget, approaches the impossible.
Co-writer Tim Realbuto stars as Bobby Moretti, obese, recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and having also recently survived marital and familial trauma that would incapacitate most humans. This is a man, who, although he doesn’t believe in himself, has the fortitude of spirit to bear up under tremendous pressure without resorting to suicide or substance abuse.
A Burden
After the death of his mother, whom he nursed single-handedly through her dementia, and another much, much worse situation that even a mere hint of would land in spoiler territory, he’s moved in with his brother Charlie (Matt Peters) and wife Debra (Taryn Manning).
Bobby is allowed no recovery time. He’s instructed by his highly non-empathetic brother to get a job, pay rent, and get his life together. So Bobby checks out a nearby boxing gym, overseen by Joanne “Jo” Wallis (Vivica A. Fox); Bobby asks for a job, even if it means cleaning the mats and toilets in exchange for boxing lessons. Jo, who appears to relish the prospect of going full-on Mr. Miyagi at the drop of hat, agrees.
As Bobby’s boxing journey begins, he bumps into Lacey “Boots” Harris (Sheria Irving) in the locker-room, a single mom with baggage: a little girl, and the girl’s mean father (Jay Hieron) who beats Boots. Bobcat and Boots bond as besties.
Soon, Bobby’s spending so much time at the gym that he’s not holding up his end of the bargain in terms of the responsibilities his brother demands of him. His brother eventually kicks him out.
All in All
Intended to be inspirational, it is in theory, but the one-note performances tend to flatten the inspiration, especially regarding things like amateurish boxing instruction that’s not even a little bit lived-in.Then there’s the ridiculous climactic showdown at the gym’s Friday Night Fights, when Bobby goes up against bad baby-daddy Tony. They might be in the same weight class, but one’s all muscle and the other’s all fat. Not to mention one has years of experience and the other has none. And ruthless baby-daddy hates Bobby. This would never be allowed in a real gym, because death would happen.
The one message that “Bobcat Moretti” successfully conveys is that our only limitations are the ones we have in our heads. If you want a really hard-hitting, lasting version of this message, read former Navy SEAL David Goggin’s first book, “Can’t Hurt Me,” and his second book, “Never Finished.” They’re must-reads. I can’t wait until somebody makes those books into movies.
