Bobby

Emilio Estevez returns from the wilderness to write and direct this multi-strand drama about a group of disparate characters gathered at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on the night of Robert Kennedy's assassination. Threads include the fading alcoholic star (Moore), the young married couple trying to dodge the draft, the adulterous hotel manager (Macy), and tension among black and Hispanic kitchen workers. None of the stories are particularly interesting or original and the endless star spotting does eventually become a distraction ("Ooh look, it's Ashton Kutcher"). Worthy yes, but it sure ain't subtle, though there are moments of quiet power among the deep fried cheese. Whenever Kennedy is seen or heard, it's a maddening, saddening glimpse into a cruelly snatched better world, even if the film serves mostly to deify him. And, not to spoil the ending, but he gets shot. [Paul Greenwood]