One of the most heart wrenching films this year, Bobcat Moretti puts you in center ring with the life of a multiple sclerosis patient fighting for his life. It’s not as sad as it is inspiring, especially the performance by Tim Realbuto that will keep you captivated throughout the film. The drama has all the earmarking’s of movies like the recent A Man Called Otto, Silver Linings Playbook and Blindside, showing the determination and a revelation to live.
Dealing with multiple sclerosis and obesity and having to depend on his brother’s family for livelihood support, Bobby Moretti (Tim Realbuto) finds himself at a dead end. Constantly being pushed to get out and find a job by his brother Charley (Matt Peters), he wanders into the gym where his father was a notable boxer. Noticing the place has been run down and not being taken care of, Bobby asks owner Joanne (Vivica A. Fox) if he can clean the place up for no pay, but be able to watch the upcoming boxers. It’s a welcome chance to not be in the way at home.
After many days of being the cleanup guy, Joanne encourages him to lose some weight by using some of the gym equipment. Rob Margolies, who Directed and co-wrote the script, shows the power of fortitude as he shows Bobby start to change his outlook on life. Adding some key relationships with his assisted living mother Helene (Sally Kirkland), a fledgling boxer Lacy (Sheria Irving) and antagonist Tony (Jay Hieron), the movie takes a few twists and braces his audience for the fight of Bobby’s life.
With a profound performance by relatively unknown actor Tim Realbuto, it brings multiple sclerosis to the forefront. His obesity compounds the challenges that Bobby Moretti had to face. And if you are looking for realism, he shows how rough MS and overweight can be in debilitating a person. Putting his real life problem of obesity (he lost 154 pounds over the length of filming) to the test, you can see the change in his character as the film progresses.
Feeling the pathos, will and determination, the motion picture Bobcat Moretti is a must see for fans of the Drama Genre. The film is rated R by the MPAA for language throughout, some violent content and drug use. It gets very gritty, punishing and a bit gory during the boxing match. Not recommended for immature teens. Look for a special performance by Coolio.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Tim Realbuto, Vivica A. Fox, Taryn Manning, Coolio, Matt Peters, Sally Kirkland, Louis Mustillo,Jay Hieron, Sheria Irving,
Directed and co-written by: Rob Margolies
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language throughout, some violent content and drug use
Running Time: 1 hr. 36 min.
Opening Date: August 4, 2023
Released in: Select Theaters, VUDU and VOD (Check local listings for a theater near you)
(Florida moviegoers can check it out in DEERFIELD BEACH, FLORIDA at
VIP DB CINEMAS -3984 W Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442)
