Running Time: 101 Minutes
Certification: 12
Starring: Barbie Ferreira, John Leguizamo, French Stewart, Rachel Bay Jones, Ted Welch, Lauren 'Lolo' Spencer
For her feature debut, writer/director Tracie Laymon draws from a personal place to depict an emotional tale. In that regard, it is appropriate that Bob Trevino Likes It begins with an emotional scene of Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) in floods of tears. As she received a text message confirming her boyfriend's infidelity, her initial reaction is to type up an angry response. That is quickly deleted in favour of a friendlier message, with this small moment showing her desire to keep the peace in any situation.
Whether it is for her job, or in her relationship with her father, Lily's life involves her constantly acting as a caretaker. She longs for a connection, a feeling that is exacerbated when a misunderstanding leads the twenty-something to be abandoned by her father, Bob Trevino (French Stewart). This period of estrangement leads Lily to reconnect with her father on Facebook, where she mistakenly begins speaking with a different man named Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo). Through their online conversations, the pair form a bond which fills a void in each-other's lives.
Inspired by Laymon's personal experiences, this story touchingly captures a blossoming friendship between the central pair. When viewers meet them, the pair are quietly yearning for a much-needed source of connection, as Lily dons a cheery persona to avoid harsh truths, while Bob struggles to socialize amidst working a job he dislikes. As the pair open up with each other, their friendship becomes a ray of sunshine that grants them new reasons to smile, and allows them the courage to face long-buried sources of hurt.
Living as the punching bag for her emotionally abusive father, Lily has taken to blaming herself in any situation to smooth things over. It is a saddening sight to see her shrink at the slightest issue, out of a belief that this relationship is all that she has in life. Pouring herself into the role is a tremendous Barbie Ferreira, capturing overwhelming emotion in response to the slightest kindness. This is best conveyed during a heart-swelling scene at the dog pound, which magnificently captures a massive step taken towards healing.
The source of this positive change is Bob, the ideal father figure who loves astronomy and telling bad jokes. Leguizamo delivers effortless charm as the caring man, while also capturing the quiet sadness as he internalizes his own grief. When it finally comes out in a touching scene with his wife, Jeanie (Rachel Bay Jones), it is an effective moment that is quietly heartfelt. In the midst of this, he makes Lily discover the feeling of somebody truly caring for her, something that her father could never give. A special mention is deserved for French Stewart, as the 3rd Rock From The Sun actor takes a nastier role as the self-interested and manipulative Bob Trevino.
Admittedly, there are times when this feels like a by-the-numbers example of festival-friendly indie films. However, that does not impact the hugely emotional core of Bob Trevino Likes It. What Tracie Laymon has brought alive is a lovely story of healing, as characters find ways to move forward with the hurt that they carry. Be sure to bring tissues, as this gets very emotional by the end.
Bob Trevino Likes It is available now on Digital Download
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