When lonely 20-something Lily Trevino accidentally befriends a stranger online who shares the same name as her own self-centered father, encouragement and support from this new Bob Trevino could change her life.
Chuck says
Tracie Laymon’s “Bob Trevino Likes It” is a movie for this moment. What with a sense of anxiety hanging over us, simple acts of kindness have rarer and more valuable than ever. The worth of a meaningful gesture or helping hand has never been needed more than it is now, a reminder that is beautifully driven home in Laymon’s semi-autobiographical tale of two empty strangers who meet be chance.
Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) is a young woman adrift in the world. She doesn’t have many friends and has become alienated from her father (French Stewart), a callous opportunist who only reaches out when he needs something. After not speaking to him for quite some time, she searches for him on Facebook, typing in his name, “Bob Trevino.” She gets a reply but it is from another Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo), a man who’s stuck in his job as well as in his marriage.
What ensues is an initially timid series of interactions between Lily and Bob that blossoms into a meaningful friendship. While others look askance at them and make assumptions concerning their relationship, these two find a common bond in their respective loneliness.
This is delicate material as it can easily become too maudlin, a deft touch needed to create a sense of sincerity. Laymon never rushes the story nor burdens it with unnecessary subplots or outrageous dramatic moments. For the most part, it’s a quiet film, one that vicariously connects the viewer through the bond formed by its two principals.
Ferreira is a revelation, handling this delicate role with tact. Lily is quite needy, but the actress never allows her to become overbearing, which would have run the risk of alienating the audience. Her moments of pain are genuine and because she pulls us in, we intensely feel Lily’s hurt. Leguizamo, operating in a lower gear than usual, subtly conveys Bob’s sense of dissatisfaction and disappointment for all that’s occurred in his life. It’s a quiet turn that benefits greatly from the actor’s delicate approach, as he conveys the character’s pain as simply a matter of course.
Effortlessly poignant, “Bob Trevino Likes It” is a stealthy film that sneaks up you, delivering a moving conclusion that beautifully underscores the power of kindness. That it does so without a heavy hand, proves to be its greatest strength.
3 1/2 Stars
