Bob Trevino Likes It (courtesy Roadside Attractions) To this cranky viewer continually engaged in a battle to restrict his social media time, the idea of Tracie Laymon’s debut characteristic, Bob Trevino Likes It, virtually looks like time-travel science fiction, a visit again to a world the place social media offers positivity and good vibes, not poisonous rancor, nefarious scammers and wellness grift. In the comedy drama, now in launch from Roadside Attractions, an adrift younger girl, Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira), who’s eternally let down by the gross insensitivities of her organic father (performed within the movie by French Stewart), finds each a pal and wanted self affirmation by randomly befriending a person on Facebook with the identical identify as her dad. The ensuing relationship between Lily and Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo) is, initially, much less a purely epistolary one than one constructed round likes, emojis and pithy inspirational cheers. But when Lily suggests an IRL meet-up, the connection grows, fulfilling a necessity for her however him too. Beneath no matter reply-guy tendencies he might need, Bob — a contractor in a cheerful marriage — nurses his personal suppressed sadnesses and insecurities, which Lily’s friendship assuages.
As the movie progresses, Bob and Lily type a beautiful, platonic, surrogate father/daugher bond, one which, as these films go, faces its personal third-act adversities. But whereas there have actually been different impartial movies dramatizing chosen-family themes, with the very profitable Bob Trevino Likes It Laymon brings a palpable depth of non-public feeling to what in less-invested arms could be pure formulation. In reality, Trevino, which gained each the Grand Jury and Audience Awards on the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, is an old school, full-throated crowdpleaser, one which on its competition tour has left not a dry eye in its varied homes. (And, sure, I’m together with cranky me, who noticed the movie eventually 12 months’s FilmFestKnox.) There’s no ironic detachment right here, nor a hesitancy — uncommon in first-time filmmakers — to tug again on emotion.
Both lead actors are unbelievable. Ferreira performs Lily as messy, impulsive, altogether “too much,” however with a gorgeous sincerity and sense of longing. Her efficiency is massive — generally surprisingly so — and has an unfiltered high quality that provides the movie an edge and feeling of unpredictability. And Leguizamo offers one among his easiest performances right here, going the opposite approach, imbuing what might have been a inventory character peddling generic uplift into a posh and in the end very touching depiction of a middle-aged man who, till now, hasn’t been in a position to specific in his each day work and private life emotions he’s been pushing from his consciousness.
Born in Russia, Laymon moved together with her household to Houston when she was 14, and her personal private story offered the inspiration for Bob Trevino Likes It. I spoke to Laymon about that on-line encounter, being shut down by the SAG strike after her first day of capturing, and the way abandoning one other undertaking led to this primary characteristic going into manufacturing.
Filmmaker: How are you doing?
Laymon: I’m doing okay. We had our press examine yesterday, and we did our content material shoots. I believe I did 60 solo four-to-eight minute [interviews]. Barbie and John have been on KTLA Live this morning, they usually’re going to be on The View. And John was on [Live with] Kelly and Mark, Drew Barrymore, and Kelly Clarkson. It’s thrilling.
Filmmaker: That’s a high-level of mainstream penetration for an impartial movie. Obviously, you’ve got two identify actors as your leads, however what extra do you attribute this too?
Laymon: I believe it’s a mix of issues. People are genuinely actually liking the movie. The publicists – John’s and Barbie’s, mine, and the movie’s — have mentioned they’ve by no means seen so many individuals genuinely lit up. And that’s not as a result of it’s an ideal movie, and that I didn’t make errors, however I believe the authenticity and coronary heart of it are actually translating. There’s a necessity for it within the zeitgeist proper now. People are hungry for one thing that provides them somewhat little bit of hope, and I believe the truth that the solid and crew confirmed up with that coronary heart, and that we actually gave it our all, is translating.
Filmmaker: Before we speak concerning the movie, might you inform me the way you grew to become a filmmaker and the way this grew to become your first movie?
Laymon: As a child, I used to be all the time writing. I might go into my closet and name it my workplace and simply write in there. And I liked films. My organic dad obtained me actually eager about films, and so I believe I simply began writing screenplays as a approach to join with my household. I used to be like, properly, in the event that they like films, and if I write films about what issues to me, then possibly that’ll work, ? And then over time, I spotted that possibly not everyone can hear what you’re saying. I assumed, properly, I higher do it for myself and for the individuals who can hear and see what I’m doing. So, I did shorts, music movies, a few pilots, and a pair episodes of a Hulu present. There was one other movie earlier than this that I attempted to do for over a decade, and it simply couldn’t get off the bottom.
Filmmaker: Why was that?
Laymon: In hindsight, I used to be all the time holding one thing again. It’s like that line in Gattaca: “I didn’t save anything for the swim back.” This was the primary movie the place I didn’t save something for the swim again. It was essentially the most “me” — essentially the most susceptible and sincere that I might probably be. Whereas the [other projects I tried], it was like 70% or one thing, ?
Filmmaker: What was it concerning the different undertaking that didn’t engender that very same degree of dedication in you?
Laymon: I’m unsure, however I do know I wasn’t ready to really feel like I might danger every little thing for that movie. The “why” of it wasn’t as clear to me because the “why” on this movie. And when your dedication and conviction is as robust as mine was for this movie, it turns into contagious. People get somewhat little bit of FOMO, ? It’s a transferring practice, are you going to get on it or not?
Filmmaker: Was it a extra commercially minded movie?
Laymon: It was truly actually related, but it surely simply wasn’t fairly as sincere, as truthful to my experiences. It was extra me imagining different folks and different experiences. That script gained main awards, however I believe there’s additionally one thing to do with timing. When I used to be penning this one, placing it collectively and capturing, it felt like folks wanted this movie now. The different one was somewhat darker.
Filmmaker: How did Bob Trevino Likes It change into the movie you pivoted to?
Laymon: In 2021 I made a decision I wanted to inform Bob Laymon what he had meant to me, and I began writing [a short film script] simply as a approach to say thanks. It was a brief, cheesey model the place all of them change into household. I used to be simply going to offer the story to him [in person] – I wasn’t even going to make it. I had met him on Facebook in 2012, and I didn’t know how one can say thanks for his small acts of kindness. He actually modified my life. He lived in Wichitaw, Kansas, and I assumed, properly, I’ll submit my brief movie to the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kansas. I’ll get in, go there, invite him and his spouse to the screening, after which I’ll take them to dinner. And I’ll say, “By the way, these small acts of kindness changed my whole life. I’ve gone to therapy, I’ve done all these things, but it was the kindness of a stranger that really helped me heal. You have no idea the impact you had.” So, I submitted my brief, and I don’t get in. I used to be stepping into all these different festivals and profitable awards – why didn’t I get in! Later, in 2021, I assumed, I’ll simply write a thank-you-script, a happy-go-lucky brief, and say, “Here you go,” as a result of I didn’t know how one can specific myself in any other case. I wrote a brief tacky model [of Bob Trevino Likes It] the place all of them change into a household, however I wasn’t in a position to give it to him. They say grief is love with no place to go, and I had all this love I had by no means expressed, so I referred to as his spouse, Terry, and mentioned, “I never told him, so now I have to tell everybody.” And she mentioned, “Okay,” and she or he’s been a part of all this too. And I started working. It was compulsive. I used to be like a vessel, and that wasn’t the case with the opposite script. And the humorous factor is, we go make the film, after which I get a name from the Tallgrass Film Festival: “We love the film, we want it to be our closing night movie.” I mentioned, “That’s amazing. but do you understand the significance of your festival? Because if you had accepted my short, there would be no feature.” It’s only a reminder to maintain going as a result of each door that shuts means you’re one step nearer to the door that’s going to open.
Filmmaker:Okay, you mentioned rather a lot in that half sentence, “And then we go make the movie.” Tell me about touchdown on the impartial manufacturing mannequin you finally landed on.
Laymon:First I assumed the cash was going to return from one place, and I assumed I used to be going to have a special group, and it simply appeared that they needed to do it somewhat in another way than me.
Filmmaker: In what approach?
Laymon: An even bigger funds that may make us make selections that weren’t proper for the movie. Wonderful folks, however I didn’t need this to finish up on slate [and not get made]. I attempted to clarify: “You don’t understand, I have to make this movie. It can’t one on a slate of 20 for you that, if it happens, it happens. And I have to do it nitty gritty, do it myself, that’s what I’m going to do.” So, we parted methods. I already had Barbie, which was great – she caught with me the entire time. But I didn’t know how one can begin an LLC, elevate cash and all of that. Luckily, my pal Sean Mullen, who’s a PGA producer on the undertaking with me and Edgar Rosa, had carried out this earlier than many occasions. He helped me construction it and begin going out for cash. I used to show filmmaking at Ghetto Film School, and I taught animation at movie camps on the Stanford and Berkeley campuses. So, I began asking a few of my chosen household. Like, I had taught [one family’s] daughter, they usually mentioned sure. I obtained a number of nos, let’s be clear, however the yesses stored me going.
We obtained a fiscal sponsorship from the Film Collaborative, and I began taking donations. And I reached out to 9 movie commissions. I used to be like, “I wrote it to play take place in Texas, but it doesn’t have to take place there.” Some of the movie commissions didn’t even write me again, however Kentucky obtained again to me immediately. There have been 9 folks or so on the Zoom, they usually have been passionate and excited. They nonetheless have a really aggressive [incentive] program, they usually actually obtained the center of the movie. So, I scouted in Kentucky. I went alone, and I used to be like, “We don’t have a lot of money, and I have to find all the locations. I’m going to scout and see how it feels and meet potential crew.” I keep in mind, I had the most cost effective rental automotive, they usually upgraded me to a Tesla, however there have been no chargers anyplace the place I used to be scouting. So, I used to be alone, driving throughout Louisville with a automotive that was about to die on a regular basis. It was actually anxious, however I fell in love with Louisville, and I discovered a number of our places [on that trip].
Filmmaker: Tell me about working with Barbie on a personality that’s so private to you. Were you ever tried to direct her to play the character nearer to your personal private expertise?
Laymon: The cause I solid Barbie is due to who she is and what she brings, so her taking part in herself was approach higher than her attempting to play me. [Before casting her] I carefully watched her work. I watched her vulnerability. her humor, her potential, her wit, and her potential to be enthusiastic about small issues. Barbie is a powerhouse of a human being, an artist who made this area for herself on this business like Lily needed to make her area on the planet. I firmly consider that there was just one actor who might have carried out every of those roles. I don’t assume that there’s an inventory of individuals, though I do know that’s the way it works. And, so, when she responded to the script, I knew she would [be Lily]. And then, after I went and met together with her, she was each bit as great as I knew she could be, and extra. It felt assembly an previous pal. We discovered we now have a number of related experiences, the place my life and her life overlapped, and the place it overlapped was the humanity and the common fact of Lily.
Filmmaker: I’m presuming it was seeing her on Euphoria that introduced her to your consideration?
Laymon: Yes, and particularly one scene. I keep in mind watching this scene the place she’s at a college dance, and she or he’s apologizing to Austin Abrams for being imply to him. The world simply slowed down after I was watching the scene: I used to be like, “That’s Lily.” You might really feel this maze — it was like she needed to [cut] by a maze so as to say [her dialogue]. They stored slicing to him, and I’m like, “Stay on her!” It was a grasp class in appearing.
Filmmaker: One of the gorgeous issues within the movie is the depiction of Bob Trevino’s internal life. There’s a scarcity, however on the identical time, his marriage is just not sad. In a number of films with characters like his, the wedding is sad, or the spouse is a profession girl who doesn’t take note of him, or she has handed away. Could you inform me about working with John to create this character, and about how a lot your information of the actual Bob got here into play when discussing with John that internal life?
Laymon: Bob Trevino grew to become an amalgamation of mentors and individuals who have been sort to me. I grew up in Texas, which is 44% Latino. A number of my professors, mentors and lecturers have been Latino. But I wasn’t attempting to solid this manner — I used to be simply casting hearts. I used to be like, “These are the right hearts to play these characters.” One of my mentors and lecturers in Texas was named Bob Trevino, so I knew I wanted to vary the identify. But I wanted the actual coronary heart and authenticity after I was engaged on [the script] to know that I didn’t simply completely make one thing up. So, I referred to as my pal Bob Trevino — he’s a particular results individual, who got here out, did the consequences on the primary film I labored on, and was all the time sort to me — and I mentioned, “Hey, Bob, I have a really weird question. I think if I write with your name, I can have that heart in this film. Would you mind if I used it?” And he mentioned, “No problem.” He’s very excited, and everyone likes it now when he likes their stuff [on Facebook]! He additionally flew out to do our particular results on this movie, so, when folks see [in the credits], “Special Effects, Bob Trevino,” they’re like, “Is that a metaphor?”
About [John], I keep in mind seeing a clip of him being interviewed, and he was speaking about household and his son and why he did Latin History for Dummies. He obtained choked up, and I obtained choked up watching it, and I used to be like, it is a actual dad with coronary heart and humanity. And identical to that second on Euphoria with Barbie, after I noticed this interview, I mentioned, that’s it. There’s nobody else that would ever play this function. And we knew that Bob Trevino couldn’t be a saint. This is just not meant to be a toxically optimistic film. There’s darkness in it. People are flawed, however they’re attempting — damaged folks attempting to do the correct factor. They’re sort, good folks, they usually don’t all the time do the correct factor. Bob is just not good, however he’s attempting, and that’s what was meant to be a task mannequin for everybody. We can all do this.
Filmmaker: What have been the manufacturing challenges? How many days did you shoot?
Laymon: We have been meant to shoot 20, however SAG struck on our first day of manufacturing. So, it was robust. We had scheduled to fly the actors after we knew if SAG was going to strike. But then SAG pushed two weeks, after which we had already booked every little thing — places, flights. We have been transferring, and we couldn’t change it. We needed to hope for the perfect. We have been submitting all of our [waiver] paperwork and have been very clear. We shot the primary day, after which SAG struck, and we have been down the second day. Luckily, we did get the waiver, and that third day we have been again up, and all of us labored collectively to make up for that day. We additionally misplaced a day to freak thunderstorms that by no means occur in Kentucky, so 18 days.
Filmmaker: In your movie, Facebook is a web site for positivity, however I believe many individuals, together with myself, see it extra as a poisonous stew. Do you assume your movie represents a sort of earlier period of social media, or does it signify one thing that’s nonetheless current?
Laymon: I believe it’s current sufficient that this film occurred due to it, and it wasn’t that way back. But we now have moved away from that [feeling], and this film is sort of a name again to that. It’s nostalgic, in a approach. I keep in mind after I first obtained social media — I used to be so excited to be related to folks like me, to not really feel so alone after which even have my world speak in confidence to [other people]. I believe my aim with the movie is to say, “Look at what a stranger did for my life.” His random optimistic feedback, likes and assist over these years modified my whole life. Now we’re on this time when it’s so divisive, and individuals are so fast to be offended and use [social media] as an outlet for anger and bullying. You neglect there’s a human being [on the other side of the screen]. You don’t know what’s happening with them. But the facility of a optimistic remark, or a like, when somebody wants it’s so a lot better than we understand. We assume we don’t have any energy, that issues are horrible, and that we’re on their own and may’t do something about it. But if we simply might all understand that’s not the case and work collectively, I believe we might create a greater area.
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