Starring: Luke Treadaway, Anna Wilson-Jones, Kristina Tonteri-Young, Nina Wadia, Tim Plester Director: Charles Martin Smith “A STREET Cat Named Bob” was somewhat of a surprise success when it was released into cinemas back in 2016. Based on the true-life story of a homeless drug addict, James Bowen, who was befriended and saved by a stray cat, the film told of a remarkable bond that formed between the pair and managed to melt the hardest of hearts. Given the popularity of both Bob and the film, a sequel, “A Christmas Gift From Bob,” was greenlit. This time around the story is based on two of James’ Bob books, “A Gift From Bob” and “The Little Book of Bob,” and sees James recount a Christmas-set story of a time when James and Bob were under threat of forced separation. “A Christmas Gift From Bob” doesn’t have quite the same emotional heft as “A Street Cat Named Bob,” but that is more down to the story being told rather than the film itself. The story of James and Bob’s origins is so special and magical that it can’t be replicated, but “A Christmas Gift From Bob” still retains a lot of the same qualities from the first film. It helps that writer Gary Jenkins returns on scripting duties as he manages to continue the same life-affirming tone that made “Street Cat” so endearing. Translating Jenkins’ words onto the screen is director Charles Martin Smith, a man who has built his career on family friendly animal stories. His back catalogue includes “Dolphin Tale,” “Dolphin Tale 2,” “A Dog’s Way Home,” and 90s’ classic “Air Bud.” Framed as a much more conventional Christmas tale this time around, the film comes complete with several of the tropes: a villainous animal welfare officer, a perceived enemy who actually turns out to be a friend, a smattering of snow, and plenty of festive cheer. Within any other story all these archetypal conventions would result in an overly saccharine pantomime, but here they help balance out the moments of darkness that are woven within. As with the first film, “A Christmas Gift From Bob” has its sad and scary moments, and whilst none of them are as intense as James going cold turkey from heroin, they nonetheless offer enough bite to give it a bit of an edge. Luke Treadaway returns as James, sliding effortlessly back into the role as if he’s had no time away. James is in a better state of mind this time around, his stresses this time coming from external forces rather than his internal demons. There’s not quite as much character scope for James, but Treadaway gives a beautiful performance with what he is handed. His dynamic with the on screen cats, one of them being Bob himself, is wonderful to watch and will leave cat lovers green with envy. There’s a truly lovely sequence wherein a concerned James spends a night next to Bob, which anyone who has cared for a pet will identify with. It’s a scene that mirrors Bob waiting through James’ drug withdrawal during “Street Cat” and once again highlights just how special a bond that this man and cat have. Dedicated to Bob the cat, who sadly passed away in June 2020 whilst the film was in post-production, “A Christmas Gift From Bob” is a touching and fitting tribute to the animal that touched the hearts of so many. This is a fun-filled, heart-warming, and enchanting family friendly tale. (SD-Agencies) | 