Cast: Barbie Ferrera, John Leguizamo, French Stewart, Rachel Bay Jones

Written and Directed By: Tracie Laymon

Release Year: Studio: roadside Attractions

*there Is No Known Audio description For This Title*

What Is it?: Lily (Ferrera) has a dad (Stewart) that no one could possibly want. Still, she tries. But he has other plans, and emotionally cuts himself off from her. While on social media, she notices a man with the same name as her father, and strikes up a friendship with him (Leguizamo), as he actually is a really nice guy and decent human being, allowing her possibly the chance to deal with her years of emotional baggage.

What Works: Even without audio description, there’s some really good stuff here. Ferrera gives a wonderful breakthrough performance, and Leguizamo offers the right kind of energy to combat what we’ve already seen, giving us a guy we can get behind. this is the kind of film that could have pushed itself into uncomfortable territory, complicating the relationship between Lily and the father that isn’t, but it never veers into the icky or creepy, really aiming for just a wholesome experience that anyone who has ever found a surrogate parent in their life can relate to. I think there are a lot of people with at least one derelict parental unit, and audio description or not, this very well might be your story. It’s also on Hulu, so it is the kind of thing where if it happens onto a streaming service you already pay for, then why not?

What doesn’t Work: there are definitely scenes I needed the description, especially toward the end. Something big happened in the plot, and while I had a slight idea what it might be, I definitely wasn’t certain, and couldn’t possibly be sure until later in the film when the dialogue seemed to confirm it. So, the lack of description is frustrating. plus, lily’s actual father is such a hot mess, I just wanted to know more about how he even exists. What does his place look like? how does he attract women? No offense to French Stewart, but a ladies man he is not.

Why You might Like it: It is actually a good film, likely a great one if it had audio description to close all the gaps. It is grounded, and features two nice performances.

Why You Might Not Like it: it lacks audio description. it also does have this third act thing that throws a wrench into the momentum, which I honestly would not have put into the story. I would have just let the film finish without adding that game changing complication.

Final Thoughts: since the catalyst of Bob Trevino Likes It centers around that initial social media interaction, I can safely say this is worth at least the requisite thumbs up we’ve become accustomed to handing out.

fresh: Final Grade: 7..1/10