“Bob Trevino Likes It” explores the power of friendship

Director Tracie Laymon examines the significance of friendship in her latest film, Bob Trevino Likes It, produced by Roadside Attractions. Laymon also authored the screenplay, which draws inspiration from a genuine friendship she cultivated with a stranger while conducting an online search for her father.

Often playing the caretaker role to people like her father, who should be caring for her, Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) longs for familial connection. When her father, Robert (French Stewart), finally checks out of her life, Lily looks for him online. She tries to “friend” a man she believes is her father on Facebook. But instead of finding Robert Trevino, she sees Bob Trevino instead. 

 Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo) works long hours at a construction company to support his wife Jeanie’s (Rachel Bay Jones) elaborate scrapbooking habit. The couple has endured a lot in the past decade, and Bob has prioritized his wife’s healing to the point of ignoring his feelings and sense of loneliness.

When Bob gets an unexpected Facebook message from a stranger named Lily Trevino, he discerns she needs a friend as much as he does. Lily and Bob’s blossoming friendship becomes a vital source of connection and healing for both, holding the power to change each of their lives forever.

In a world where social media often amplifies division, Bob Trevino Likes It reminds us of its power to bring people together in the most unexpected ways. The story develops into a touching yet melancholic examination of human relationships. Despite their different backgrounds, Bob and Lily develop an unbreakable bond beyond genetic connections. The movie explores the creation of chosen families and emotional recovery through subtle acts of kindness that transform lives.

Bob Trevino Likes It achieves a perfect equilibrium between humor and heartache without becoming sappy or contrived through Laymon’s direction and sincere acting from everyone in the cast. The film stands out with genuine storytelling that ensures all sweet and funny moments come across as deserved. The actors’ performances serve as the foundation for the story while giving life to relatable characters filled with flaws and deep charm.

In today’s digital age, where individuals frequently experience a sense of disconnection, Bob Trevino Likes It beautifully illustrates that our most genuine sense of family may not reside solely with our biological relatives. Instead, it often emerges through the serendipitous connections we forge in life’s unexpected moments, revealing profound bonds that transcend traditional definitions of family.

Final Grade: B+

Bob Trevino Likes it, opens in theaters today.