The saying, “You can’t choose your family,” is one that is often thrown around, but it’s true. We’re all taught to love our family no matter what, but what if they truly are terrible people? It’s an interesting moral dilemma, and it’s one of the themes explored in the superb independent film by Tracie Laymon (based on her true story), Bob Trevino Likes It.
What is even more fascinating than that is the power of kindness from a stranger, which is portrayed exceptionally in the movie. Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) is a young woman who is trying to find herself amid low self-esteem and dating disasters, while having a father named Bob (French Stewart) who is decidedly a piece of work. He couldn’t care less about his daughter, but of course, she seeks his attention and approval that much more because of it.
“…a young woman who is trying to find herself…while having a father who is a piece of work.”
The opening scene is emotional right off the bat and gets the audience to empathize with Lily. A guy she was dating accidentally sent her a text that was meant for another woman, and instead of telling him off like she wanted to, she erases the first message and tells him that it’s no biggie while she sobs herself to sleep. It’s so real and raw due to both Laymon and Ferreira’s performance.
There’s a whole bit about Lily going to see a counselor (Ashlyn Moore), and her life experiences are so sad that the counselor ends up in tears. The next big event is that Bob, a narcissistic womanizer, goes on a date and brings Lily along in an effort to help endear him. Lily mixes up the lady with a different woman whom Bob told her about, so he goes ballistic on his daughter and decides that he wants nothing to do with her anymore.
"…You don’t need to be family or in love with someone to show the type of kindness that can be life-altering. It’s a supremely powerful message that could not possibly be more vital to the times than now."
