Bob Trevino Likes It Movie Review

I recommend “Bob Trevino Likes It” to anyone in touch with their sensitive side. ​

The acting and the directing are so well done you’ll need a tissue to get you through the last third of the film. This story is partially influenced by writer/director Tracie Laymon’s real-life experiences with her father, Bob Laymon. It’s hard to tell, but this is her feature film debut, and it’s quite the launching pad.

Barbie Ferreira, plays Lily, or I guess the Tracie, in this piece. Her story is so heartbreaking her therapist cries at their first session. Barbie has a face you won’t soon forget. Tracie pulls from Barbie’s expressions that help the dialogue tell the story in a deeply meaningful way. From moment to moment, you see, in her face, empathy, crushing blows, overwhelming love, and the inability to hold back joy and discomfort, something you begin to look forward to. The camera can’t get close enough. You feel for her the entire length of the movie, and you ache for her.

From a young age, Lily is raised by her partially absent father after her mother leaves. He has done nothing but verbally abuse her, giving her no sort of love to hold onto. French Stewart plays her father, Bob Trevino, in a role I’d expect from anyone but him. He has convinced her she’s worthless and careless. She has no love life and not many genuine connections. She can’t like anyone; she can’t stand herself.

When she needs a real friend, she looks for people with the same last name and finds John Leguizamo’s Bob Trevino. She messages him on Facebook, asking if it’s possible they could be related. Noticing that the young woman is desperately alone and, basically, “Screaming into the void,” he gives this friendship a chance.

As he gets to know her more, he helps her in ways no one ever has. Her father has all but disowned her, so to her, this is a suitable replacement. Bob does her and himself a favor, ensuring she understands he isn’t her father. She must know this as he is not a father to anyone. He wants to fill her heart with the love she has never received; never once will it feel creepy. The work he and the therapist do will turn out quite a beautiful person.

Certain scenes will crush you, especially looking at her face! Thankfully for you, the audience member, Bob, is happy to help her grow. Leguizamo is so warm toward this girl he barely knows because he permits himself to give away the love he has inside when, after his experience losing a child, there’s not been someone in his life very interested in accepting what he has to offer.

This will be very well received, and I believe it’s possible you’ll see more of Bob early next year.