As far as historical dramas go, Emilio Estevez’s ensemble-led Bobby is momentously clear in its intentions; if Robert Kennedy would have lived, things would have been different, as the writer/director presents a soaringly hopeful view of an American presidential candidate, almost unfathomably removed from today’s political climate. Bobby centres on a clutch of twenty-two characters all confined within the walls of Los Angeles’ then prosperous – and standing – Ambassador Hotel, on the day leading up to RFK’s assasination in the summer of 1968. As one of the biggest films of the festival, tonight’s LFF gala presentation of Bobby brings with it some of its leading lights – Christian Slater, Joy Bryant, Freddie Rodriguez, Svetlana Metkina and Estevez are all in attendance. Demi Moore, Martin Sheen, Sharon Stone, William H. Macy, Anthony Hopkins, Lindsey Lohan, Elijah Wood, Helen Hunt…the list goes on…are obviously elsewhere.
“He’s Bobby Kennedy. He’s the last great American hero and he was a true visionary”, gushed Estevez. “Sadly after 9/11 the movie became far more relevant.”
Even with a stellar cast in tow, it seems Estevez was still keen to pick out the main player in the movie: “No one was bigger than Bobby Kennedy. He was charismatic. He was brilliant and he was bright. If the movie afforded an opportunity for Bobby’s words to be heard, then he wouldn’t be overshadowed by anyone”.
And on working with his own father, Martin Sheen: “I’ll never do another movie with him again!“ he chuckled. “No, he’s amazing and he’s supportive…although he’s a little long winded. He talks a lot! I’d work with him again in a second.”
Freddie Rodriguez – he of Lady In The Water notoriety – plays a key role in the form of hotel busboy Jose: “The greatest challenge on the film was keeping up with such a great cast. I mean, you had some heavy hitters out there so it was a little intimidating. But it was a very low-budget film with a very tight schedule, so everyone approached the film with a common goal in mind. Egos were definitely checked at the door. “
The politics were left to the man who plays the extremely unsympathetic Food and Beverage manager Timmons, Christian Slater: “A movie like this clarifies what sort of [presidential] candidate I’d like to have in the future. We need someone with that kind of passion, that kind of faith and that kind of integrity.”
Bobby opens across the UK in January.