By Daniel R. Durrett
@FilmDitz
In this crazy mixed up world, we’re all just trying to make a connection, this is the siminal tale within “Bob Trevino Likes It” the main character Lily Trevino has a strained relationship with her father, who also happens to be named Bob Trevino, but the story is not directly about her father.
In a world where the Internet is a connection device for many people worldwide. This film shows us that a true connection can be found in the unlikely list of places.
Seeking a true father figure and friend Lily looks for connection on the Internet, hoping that some sense of humanity can connect her to family and friends, of which she has few.
I am a mad-crazed fan of the dramatic comedy genre and “Bob Trevino Likes It”, should be loves it because I can’t love this first time feature more than I already do. It is as good as any directorial feature that I’ve ever seen. I would rank it very closely with “Garden State” by Zach Braff (Scrubs, Wish I Was Here) as a masterful first time feature Directing effort. Really superlative!
What Writer/ Director Tracie Laymon was able to accomplish is simply stunning and has a real chance to gain audiences worldwide and for years to come. This is one of those films you wanna see in the theater so you can tell people oh I saw that in the theater cause I’m that cool.
Laymon’s innate ability to find humor in the disaster is what makes her a great dramatic comedic or dramady Director it takes a special individual to look at a WTF situation and find the humor. I understand this because this is also my forte in screenplay writing. And this story is about seeing the humor to save yourself a step toward the psych-ward.
One of the ways you present a story with levity is through what I believe is America’s most resilient and ever-morphing actor John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!, The Menu) as Bob Trevino, the flower in a pit of mud.
The varied roles through Leguizamo‘s career consistently shows his ability to bring an encompassing character to life and do another movie in the same year where his characterization and his portrayal is 100% in a different direction. His acting process is truly impressive.
Barbie Ferreira (Nope, Euphoria) boasts an ever-rising profile with every new role she takes her character Lily is a watershed moment in her career. Ferreira’s added depth to the character is what truly brings her home when she plays Lily it’s not that it’s the weird disappointment that any child has felt for their parent until you understand that eyes you cannot play the part and every bit of Lily‘s understanding is felt within the direction of Leymon’s own heart.
This is the process that a true story lives and sweats, to understand its existence. A writer may question the choices of storytelling, but in my opinion, Laymon made all the best choices.
Bob’s wife Jeanie portrayed by Rachel Bay Jones (Young Sheldon, Modern Family) has her doubts about Bob’s new and much younger friend but through the story her character makes the audience understand the connection and the fragility of love.
Her biological father (Lily knew her dad as Bob), Robert Trevino, portrayed by French Stewart (3rd Rock From the Sun, Stargate) shows significant difference and depth to the characters he is normally known for, this work reminded me most of the character from “Glory Daze”. He starred in “Glory Daze” with a ton of big Stars (Ben Affleck, Sam Rockwell, Megan Ward, John Rhys Davies, Matthew McConaughey, and many many more) but Stewart was higher on the call sheet. His character Robert in this film reminded me of Dennis, his “Glory Daze” portrayal.
Which I saw as a fun connection for me because I was in the Navy when I saw this film with a friend who attended West Texas State with Stewart.
Diagnosed with ALS early in real life Lauren ‘Lolo’ Spencer (The Sex Lives of College Girls) portrays the friend and confidante to Lily, Daphne does her best to help Lilly make good life choices and when needed some bad choices. This is all confused and convoluted by the fact that Lilly is her caretaker as a job. I have found in life sometimes when people are limited physically they tend to lean into speaking the truth many people only flirt with their own life.
In a small role as the Counselor, Ashlyn Moore (The Tomorrow War, The Frost) provides a deeply, impactful screen presence though only on camera in brief moments she made the most of the time.
One of the only things I could say in a critical review is this film appeals to so many people in so many situations the only ones it may not appeal to are the deadbeat dads who watch it and think that the movie is all right but, “Not For Me” or “I don’t think it was that good” These dads are the only genre who will miss out. I think this film would not appeal to them but if you have a heart and soul? Leymon’s work is truly exceptional and should be seen post haste. Every addition I have heard about, through behind-the-scenes or interviews only makes it that much more impressive to me.
Cheers, next time I see this director beers are on me, Congratulations and Prost!
Coming Soon… Red Carpet Interviews with Tracie!!!
