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Bringing Up Bobby

  • 2011
  • PG-13
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
5.1/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
Milla Jovovich, Famke Janssen, Bill Pullman, Marcia Cross, and Spencer List in Bringing Up Bobby (2011)
A con artist moves her son to a conservative neighborhood in Oklahoma in an effort to build a better future, but it doesn't take long for her past to catch up with her, and for her son's behavior to cause problems of its own.
Play trailer2:26
2 Videos
18 Photos
Comedy

A con artist moves her son to a conservative neighborhood in Oklahoma in an effort to build a better future, but it doesn't take long for her past to catch up with her, and for her son's beh... Read allA con artist moves her son to a conservative neighborhood in Oklahoma in an effort to build a better future, but it doesn't take long for her past to catch up with her, and for her son's behavior to cause problems of its own.A con artist moves her son to a conservative neighborhood in Oklahoma in an effort to build a better future, but it doesn't take long for her past to catch up with her, and for her son's behavior to cause problems of its own.

  • Director
    • Famke Janssen
  • Writers
    • Cole Frates
    • Famke Janssen
  • Stars
    • Milla Jovovich
    • Bill Pullman
    • Marcia Cross
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.1/10
    2.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Famke Janssen
    • Writers
      • Cole Frates
      • Famke Janssen
    • Stars
      • Milla Jovovich
      • Bill Pullman
      • Marcia Cross
    • 20User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 34Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:26
    Theatrical Version
    Bringing Up Bobby
    Trailer 2:28
    Bringing Up Bobby
    Bringing Up Bobby
    Trailer 2:28
    Bringing Up Bobby

    Photos17

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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Milla Jovovich
    Milla Jovovich
    • Olive
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • Kent
    Marcia Cross
    Marcia Cross
    • Mary
    Spencer List
    Spencer List
    • Bobby
    Don Kruizinga
    Don Kruizinga
    • Car Salesman
    • (as Don Kruzinga)
    Rory Cochrane
    Rory Cochrane
    • Walt
    Dalton Olive
    Dalton Olive
    • Earl
    Robin Brooks
    • Teacher
    Milton Killen
    • Parking Lot Guy
    Eric Starkey
    Eric Starkey
    • John Lewis III
    Dan Corley
    • Tommy Lee Jones
    Deedra Jordan-Evans
    Deedra Jordan-Evans
    • Doctor
    • (as Deedra Jordon)
    Molly Reilly
    • Nurse
    Sanford Kelly
    • Kent's Driver Gerry
    Jane Hall
    Jane Hall
    • Secretary Carol
    Braden Fowler
    • Sam
    Brandon E. Jackson
    Brandon E. Jackson
    • Insurance Agent
    • (as Brandon Jackson)
    Harry Falter
    • Policeman
    • Director
      • Famke Janssen
    • Writers
      • Cole Frates
      • Famke Janssen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    5.12.1K
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    Featured reviews

    6pingram-162-873703

    Close but no Cigar

    Famke Janssen has managed to put all of the elements of a great independent movie together here but somehow the chemistry never grabs you really hard. Milla Jovovich's character is somebody who thinks they understand the American Dream from watching TV and from the movies that she is often quoting. The reality in America however is that the "American Dream" is much more complicated than she ever imagined. Milla Jovovich and Spencer List are very convincing as the mother and son duo and the portrayal of their relationship is what carries the movie. Pullamn does well but is careful not to grab the attention away from the two main characters. The colours and costumes stand out against the bleak Oklahoma backdrop. It is a good movie and it is easy to watch. It is not the sort of movie that will interest people who do not regularly watch small independent movies.
    4JimmyCollins

    Milla's wonderful performance doesn't save this unfulfilling dramedy!

    Don't get me wrong, this movie isn't horrible, it's just not excellent the way it should be. The film starts out really great, Milla is a laugh out loud funny con artist from the Ukraine who is just trying to make ends meet with her son in America, then it turns into a more dramatic film where a woman is trying to get her son back, to me it seems like both of these plots are great but together in the same film it didn't work for me, I think as individual film they would be excellent.

    The saving grace is Milla Jovovich, she is terrific in absolutely everything, and she is just exceptional in this, she is funny, lovable and for most of the film you are rooting for her, I hope she continues to do funnier roles such as these as she really suits them.

    Also the kid in the movie is definitely worth mentioning, child actors are really impressive these days. The opening song sung by Milla is one of the best parts of the film, so basically no highs or lows, just very one dimensional. A tad disappointing. :(
    7OJT

    Vibrant and colorful, much better than most comedies

    Was quite astonished to see the low score for this here on IMDb. That's not deserved. I found the film refreshing and fun, if you're able to appreciate a film that doesn't take itself to serious.

    I loved the light tone and the vibrant colorful style of the movie. It looks like Moonrise Kingdom, and I found it better. The colorful filters make this eye candy. Some scenes are like a painting.

    Milla Jovovich is a easy-go-lucky mother Olive, mostly on the wrong side of the law. The adores her 11 year old son Bobby (Spencer List) but eventually her past catches up with her. Young Spencer List is impressive and charming in his role.

    The film, directed by Famke Janssen, has a fairy tale touch, and even th sad parts has a light touch. Ordinarily I'm not too fond of this style, but I found this refreshing and entertaining. It's different, and it's also unpredictable, which is a good thing when you've seen a lot of movies.

    I really feel the bashing of this tiny story, which is about the love between a mother and her son, is not fair. It's without real sadness, and unnecessary violence, and all Niall hopeful and quite believable. It's such a relief to watch a movie where you don't have to fear bad things happening. A feel-good gem!
    2westernwallflower

    Milla, why oh why?

    At the video store, this DVD caught my eye immediately because of my longtime girl crush Milla Jovovich on the front cover. I grabbed it straight off the shelf, without hesitation. I knew it would more than likely be a dud film, but I just love to watch Milla and was excited that this film could possibly, maybe, turn out to be an 'okay' film.

    Well, this film is a complete dud. I cringed the whole way through. The mundane story line had potential, but the script and direction was just terrible. I did not know if this was supposed to be a comedy film or a drama. Either way, it failed in every possible category.

    The character of Olive (Milla Jovovich), was so over the top and one dimensional. Olive, the stereotypical beautiful Russian single mother con, was a character that was over exaggerated and incredibly annoying. It is not even worth going into any more detail about the characters in this film because it all just sucked. It would be as pointless as analyzing your own vomit after vomiting. The only emotion that this film evoked for me, was sadness over why Milla Jovovich played such a crap character in such a crap film. Milla completely over acted in this film, but that was really the only thing that added slight intrigue. Along with her wardrobe.

    If you like Milla, then watch it for the sake of seeing Millas beauty on screen. Otherwise, do not bother with this film ... unless you want to spend an hour or so baffled at how anyone could write such a terrible script.

    Bringing up Bobby - The kind of film that my thirteen year old self would have written back in the day. Pretty clothes, pretty leading lady and pretty ridiculous.
    3clydeleon

    Farcical but not funny! Serious subject but not poignant.

    Synopsis looked promising. But fell terribly flat of all expectations. We only watched it to the end hoping for something redeeming. Listed as a comedy, but not one thing comically amusing. It had the potential to be a realistic touching and poignant movie of a failing mother having to make a choice between staying with her son, or letting foster parents raise him. But her failings are so over the top as to be unbelievable. This can be acceptable if it was farcically funny... but it is not... just painful in the way that she raises her son in a way that he can do no wrong even though that is all he does is wrong. The mother's accent is so fake that I thought it was part of her shtick. The actress, though born in Kiev does not have an accent in interviews, so had to create this one, but it just does not ring true. This is about as low as I'd rate any movie that I watched all the way through.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Shot in and around Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the summer of 2010. It was shot in 22 days and made use of the Oklahoma tax credit.
    • Goofs
      When Olive and Walt speak by the pool, a big square studio light is reflected in Olive's sunglasses.
    • Quotes

      Nurse: You forgot to fill out your age, what is it?

      Olive: [in nearly a whisper] Oh uh two, eight, uh 68.

      Nurse: I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you, could you speak up...

      Olive: [frustrated now] August 2nd, 1968.

      Nurse: Wow! You're the exact same age as *my* mom. Neat.

    • Connections
      References Bringing Up Baby (1938)
    • Soundtracks
      A friend
      Written by Ann Davison

      Performed by Ray Hatcher

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Bringing Up Bobby?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 2011 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Netherlands
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Educando a Bobby
    • Filming locations
      • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dutch Tilt Film
      • Fu Works
      • Head Gear Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,975
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,005
      • Sep 30, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,975
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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