The Golden Globe nominations are out and poor John Travolta didn't get one. He can go ahead and count out that Oscar nomination, too. This comes after poor Travolta acted his award-craving heart, practically begging for acclaim in Shainee Gabel's debut film "A Love Song For Bobby Long." Not only did he dye his hair white, take on a Southern accent, and quote great literature, but he revealed his naked butt. If this sounds painful to watch, that's because it is.
Travolta plays the title role, Bobby Long, a charming alcoholic who lives in the dilapidated New Orleans home of his dead lover. He is joined by his loyal sidekick, a former student and budding genius writer, Lawson Pines (Gabriel Macht) and before long, his dead lover's estranged daughter in the form of gorgeous young thing Pursy Will (Scarlett Johansson). In this house riddled with tension and empty liquor bottles, there is a secret to uncover. Any savvy filmgoer will recognize early on that there is a connection to between the old drunker codger and the blond golden girl beyond joint housing; fortunately, the bond they share is not sex.
Johansson, in fact, did receive a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. Perhaps the young actress is receiving recognition for the élan in which she wears various form-revealing tank tops; she goes through numerous form-fitting outfits. More than likely, it's because Purcy reforms. The rebellious teen is introduced as chain-smoking, tough-talking trailer trash, but by the film's end, a newly demure young woman wears suitable sun dresses and returns to school.
The charm of the South is laid on thick, and though New Orleans looks
gorgeous, Shainee Gabel takes shameless liberties with the geography. Anyone who has been to the region would know that it is logistically impossible to take a leisurely stroll, starting from Magazine Street and ending up in the Louisiana bayou.
