Serious movies with animals as major characters are rare, and so are movies that deal with addiction and homelessness realistically and compassionately. “A Street Cat Named Bob,” does both.

The story opens just before James, a homeless heroin addict, hits rock bottom. After several incidents that show his plight, he winds up having an overdose in a car that doesn’t belong to him. After recovering, he is given one last chance through government housing and an addiction recovery program.

It is in this government housing that Bob the cat finds him. Similar to James’s situation, Bob is also living on the streets, and sneaks in through James’ window to find food. Despite being let out from the house, Bob shows up again the next day. When James notices Bob is hurt, he misses his first mandatory meeting with a social worker to take Bob to the vet. James gives up his food money to buy the medicine Bob needs to prevent infection.

This is the start of a deep connection between the two. Perhaps the bond forms because of their similar circumstances. As a neighbor described Bob’s life: “Alone on the streets, fighting for food, fighting for territory.” Perhaps it is simply because each empathized with the other’s needs more than their own.
When James begins keeping Bob with him as he performs on the street, he becomes more popular. Through caring for Bob, James might be able to save himself. James tells us “Everyone gets a second chance, but not everyone takes it”.

The most remarkable thing about the movie is that the story is a true one. Based on the auto-biographical novels “A Street Cat Named Bob” and “The World According to Bob,” the movie reflects the life of author James Bowen. In the spring of 2007, homeless heroin addict Bowen enrolled in a methadone program in London. He found Bob while living in government housing, and began performing with him. Bowen credits Bob with helping to end his addiction: “He needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body.” Bowen said in a 2012 interview with the London Evening Standard.

Bowen’s First book, “A Street Cat Named Bob”, was published in 2011. Today, Bowen work with charities to help ensure the homeless can take their second chance. To this day, Bob still travels with him everywhere. “A Street Cat Named Bob” is now available to stream on Netflix. Not bad for someone who started out living on the street.