If you decide you no longer want your abusive and negligent father, you can go ahead and find another one; if you’re lucky, you’ll even find one with the same name.
Bob Trevino Likes It tells the tale of a Facebook friendship gone right. When Lily (Barbie Ferriera, Euphoria) is cut off from her father, Bob Trevino (French Stewart, 3rd Rock from the Sun), she decides to hunt him down on Facebook to beg for his forgiveness. Instead, she finds the profile of another Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo, The Menu). She sends him a friend request, he likes a few of her pictures, and a surprisingly wholesome platonic bond is born.
The new Bob becomes an unofficial father figure for Lily, showing her the ropes of the world and giving her support through a emotionally and financially stressful time. Lily, too, becomes a stand-in for the child he never got to raise.
Whilst an obviously emotional premise, the comedy of Bob Trevino Likes It is the main appeal for most of the film. Ferriera is hilariously relatable to most late teens to mid 20s girls, with her dazed optimism and crippled mental health. Her whimsical, indestructible spirit is the shining light of this film- and Ferriera’s performance is what makes Lily charming, rather than annoying.
Similarly, Leguizamo is the perfect casting to make Bob sweet instead of sleazy. Any other film about an older man and younger woman becoming Facebook friends would feel a little uncomfortable. In this film, Leguizamo’s warm, humble demeanour puts any doubts aside, allowing the audience to rest and know this film isn’t going to become surprisingly perverted.
Each piece of Bob Trevino Likes It fits together seamlessly. The ending is gut punch from nowhere that perfectly punctuates the film, and is guaranteed to have you blubbing away. With rustic charm, a brilliant premise, and great performances, Bob Trevino Likes It is a wonderfully heartfelt film. The cherry on the cake? It’s based on a true story.
If you get the chance to see Bob Trevino Likes It, make sure to sit down in ur oodie with a tub of ice cream and some tissues- savour it.
Feature image credit: Vertigo Releasing Ltd
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