Bob Trevino Likes It (2025) - Film Review

      **Bob Trevino Likes It, 2025**

      **Written and Directed by Tracie Laymon**

      **Starring Barbie Ferreira, John Leguizamo, French Stewart, Lauren ‘Lolo’ Spencer, Rachel Bay Jones, Debra Stipe, Ted Welch, and Ashlyn Moore**

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      In this heartfelt film, lonely 25-year-old Lily Trevino unexpectedly connects online with a stranger who bears the same name as her self-absorbed father. The support of this new Bob Trevino has the potential to transform her life. During a much-needed therapy session, Lily, amused by the concept of self-abandonment, chuckles while browsing a self-help pamphlet. This is an excellent early moment in Tracie Laymon's charming and poignant drama about an unlikely friendship. "Bob Trevino Likes It" highlights how star Barbie Ferreira skillfully handles the delicate theme of her character's lacking self-care for humor, while also showing her tendency to prioritize others at the expense of herself, being treated like a doormat and failing to assert herself. In a revealing opening scene, when she receives a text from her cheating boyfriend, she contemplates sending a breakup message but ultimately types and deletes her hurtful thoughts multiple times without hitting send, opting to laugh off the situation instead. However, she does break up with him offscreen the following day.

      Lily's relationship with her father, Bob (French Stewart), is far from better. In another precarious performance that balances foolishness with authentic manipulative narcissism, Bob views his daughter more as an object for his benefit rather than as a person. He exploits her for financial support, drags her along on dates to impress women he’s dating, and callously reminds her that her mother’s drug addiction left them, implying she’s to blame for it all and that he only tolerated her mother’s behavior for Lily's sake.

      Successfully blending awkward comedy with the sobering reality of Lily's isolation, the film illustrates that she lacks anyone else to confide in. Bob is quick to sever all ties if she makes a mistake that inconveniences his romantic pursuits. Furthermore, Lily's job as a live-in aide for her peer Daphne (Lauren ‘Lolo’ Spencer) mirrors her personal issues, as it compels her to care for someone other than herself. While noble and deserving of respect, this role complicates Lily’s situation, particularly since she struggles to notice that Daphne genuinely cares about her and wishes to develop a real friendship.

      After her day ends, Lily, feeling emotionally drained and set to apologize to her father—having internalized the notion that there’s nothing wrong with his behavior—takes to Facebook. She searches for individuals named Bob Trevino, and when she finds one without a profile picture, she takes a chance and messages him with a simple "hello." This Bob turns out not to be her father, but a construction site supervisor played by John Leguizamo, who delivers a profoundly touching performance as a father figure.

      Their text exchanges establish that this Bob isn’t related to Lily, yet their communication blossoms into friendship. This connection benefits Bob too; despite being married, he struggles to maintain a social life, unlike his peers. Some may scoff at the notion of an older man seeking a friendship with someone much younger, but the film presents a heartwarming story of intergenerational connection. Bob's wife, Jeanie (Rachel Bay Jones), expresses her skepticism, wondering if he is being deceived or taken advantage of financially. The interaction is warm, humorous, and, above all, reflects real-life dynamics.

      Eventually, they meet face to face, spending time together and bonding over life experiences. Bob’s enthusiastic engagement with Lily’s Facebook posts, where she often shares random quotes alongside old accomplishments her father never acknowledged, provides her with a paternal affection she has long been missing. This offers her a glimpse into what a typical father-daughter relationship might look like, a concept unfamiliar to her. Naturally, one might ponder whether Bob ever wished to be a father.

      This film does not shy away from presenting a platonic connection or veering into unhealthy attachment; rather, it remains centered on these two characters as they share their life stories (including some tragic aspects of Bob's past that he struggles to discuss with his wife) while uplifting one another. The narrative is touching throughout.

      It's also clear that this friendship won't resolve all of Lily's issues. She needs to recognize Daphne not just as a job but as someone who genuinely desires to be her friend. As Lily begins to open up, the relationship grows more intriguing, with Daphne attempting to manage her mixed feelings about her caretaker’s choice to spend time with someone twice her age, while also exploring ways for Lily to channel her feelings of rage stemming from the toxicity of her father's treatment. This intertwines with the film's broader theme of self-abandonment, emphasizing Lily's need for balance: to show kindness