Editor’s Be aware: This evaluate was initially printed throughout the 2024 SXSW Movie & TV Pageant. “Bob Trevino Likes It” opens in theaters from Roadside Sights on Friday, March 21.
The 12 months of “Barbie” is constant proper on into 2024. However we’re not speaking about that Barbie: Now, it’s Barbie Ferreira‘s time to be talked about.
The “Euphoria” breakout star, who parted methods with the HBO sequence forward of Season 3, leads “Bob Trevino Likes It,” her first movie because the present exit announcement. Whereas Ferreira has had roles in “Unpregnant” and “Nope,” it’s “Bob” that places Ferreira on the map as one to look at — and he or she even government produces it alongside along with her co-star John Leguizamo.
Within the movie, Ferreira stars as Lily Trevino, a 25-year-old at-home caretaker who struggles with self-abandonment. The supply of most of her woes? Her narcissistic abuser father Bob (French Stewart). Lily can’t see the harm that Bob has induced, and after an explosive battle during which Bob blames Lily for cramping his bachelor way of life, he cuts her off for good.
Thus, Lily is now left really deserted, and he or she opts to remain emotionally distant from her bubbly consumer, performed by “The Intercourse Lives of School Ladies” star Lauren “Lolo” Spencer, and wallow in her room scrolling the web. It’s solely when Lily tries to cyber-stalk her personal father that she appears like she’s hit a brand new low … and Fb associates a faceless different Bob Trevino (Leguizamo) whose approval she craves. Each time this Bob “likes” one among her posts, particularly ones which are flashbacks to Lily’s uncared for childhood (child Lily blowing out candles on a birthday cake, tween Lily taking part in basketball, and so forth.), it’s as if Lily is lastly getting the validation and love from her father. Too dangerous this Bob isn’t really biologically associated to her.
In the meantime, Leguizamo’s Bob is coping with his personal points. His marriage to his loving spouse (Rachel Bay Jones) has been stunted ever because the lack of their toddler son, and Bob tries to stifle any ache by overworking for his racist boss. Lily’s presence comes on the proper time for Bob, too.
Lily and Bob 2.0 do finally meet up, and Bob’s inherent kindness dismantles Lily’s determined approval-seeking conduct. Certain, Lily has boundary points, however her life story makes her would-be therapist in coaching cry (and search her personal psychiatric assist) after only one session. After Lily shares with Bob how her father removed her childhood canine and blamed an eight-year-old her for “abusing” it, Bob brings her to an animal shelter to attach with a pet. Bob is aware of what Lily wants, and there’s by no means any undercurrent of discomfort: These are simply two individuals on the lookout for familial love, and so they have discovered it in one another.
“Bob Trevino Likes It” is a tearjerker of a movie, nevertheless it’s grounded in the truth that it’s additionally a real story primarily based on first-time characteristic writer-director Tracie Laymon’s personal encounter with a Bob Laymon. Leguizamo could give one among his career-best performances within the characteristic, nevertheless it’s Ferreira’s shocking command onscreen that’s the most memorable. With this characteristic, she proves her personal expertise is amongst that of her A-list “Euphoria” co-stars Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Zendaya.
Ferreira could have been sidelined in “Euphoria” Season 2, however with “Bob,” her vary is clear. Ferreira sobs hysterically, spouts horrific recounts of an abusive childhood, and slowly opens up, all within the span of a two-hour movie. It’s a quiet film, one whose rigidity is present in ready to see simply how far Lily and Bob will take their quasi daughter-father relationship (will Lily lastly meet Bob’s spouse? Will each Bobs lastly cross paths?). Will we “like” it? We adore it.
Ranking: B+
“Bob Trevino Likes It” premiered on the 2024 SXSW Movie & TV Pageant. Roadside Sights opens the movie Friday, March 21.