‘I Like Movies’ - Review

The following is a review of the film ‘I Like Movies.’ For our exclusive interview with the director please click here.

I met Bill in my junior year of college. I was his Resident Assistant (RA), and he was my resident. Our connection was immediate, built on late-night talks and shared adventures. He saw in me a mentor, someone to offer guidance through school, relationships, and career choices. To me, he was a friend and a resident, someone I cared deeply about. Bill possessed a magnetic charm, a quick wit, and an uncanny ability to find himself in trouble. It was during one of those troubled moments that I first stepped in to help him, guiding him through a difficult time that left him vulnerable and depressed.

A month later, I received the devastating news that he had taken his own life, committing suicide while under the influence. His death rattled me; I was consumed by guilt and self-blame. I felt I could have done more and should have been more present in his life. withdrew from the people and activities I once loved, drowning myself in isolation. 

At the time I was surrounded by amazing friends who sensed my struggles and reached out with genuine concern, but I found myself pushing them away, afraid of burdening them. I became a shadow of myself, a terrible friend, purely consumed by guilt. I questioned my worthiness of love, acceptance, and the values I grew up with. I continued down a path of self-destruction, fueled by a toxic mix of self-pity, guilt, and dissatisfaction. It seemed that nothing could convince me to change course. I was digging my own hole, sinking deeper into isolation.

I still haven't fully accepted that I can't keep punishing myself for what happened but I’m almost there. I am sure one day I’ll learn to forgive myself, to understand the scope of my responsibility. It is a gradual process, one step at a time. 

In I Like Movies, Lawrence Kweller emerges as an archetypical filmbro —one whose obsession with film borders on life-or-death. Portrayed with an awkward charm by Isaiah Lehtinen, Lawrence's daily ritual of consuming movies is a lifeline, an obsessive dream of someday reaching the ranks of the greatest directors of our time. However, Lawrence's ambition is not necessarily matched by talent or diligence; rather, his hyper-focus on movies is both his salvation and his downfall. He's self-absorbed, socially awkward, and at times, downright inconsiderate. Lawrence's trauma, particularly his father's suicide, has left him emotionally scarred and prone to using it as both a shield and an excuse for his abrasive behavior. In the suburban landscape of Ontario, circa 2002, Lawrence navigates his senior year with only one friend. As he takes on a job at the local video store to save up for film school, he becomes infatuated with his manager, Alana, played by Romina D’Ugo, who serves as both a mentor and a romantic interest. However, Lawrence's narcissism blinds him to the humanity of those around him, leading to strained relationships with the people in his life.

Chandler Levack's lens showcases Lawrence in his truest form. He isn't always likable, but he is undeniably interesting. We're compelled to follow his journey, not because he's a hero, but because he's real. He’s one of us. While I Like Movies follows the familiar beats of a coming-of-age tale, it's the depth and brilliance of Lawrence's character that elevates it. 

Through Lawrence's journey of self-discovery, I saw reflections of my own struggle with guilt and grief.  Lawrence's reliance on his father's suicide as an excuse to avoid confronting his own fears and shortcomings felt disgustingly familiar. It was a wake-up call, reminding me to recognize how I, too, have been using my Bill’s death as a shield, finding excuses to regress and avoid taking responsibility for my own growth.

Lawrence's journey is a personal reminder of my own flawed humanity, my passions, and my struggles to find my place in the world.  It reminds me that healing is a process, that redemption is possible, and that true growth comes from embracing vulnerability and reaching out for help. It reminds me to not hide behind my trauma and to cherish the people that matter to me. The film's portrayal of human connection, empathy, and the power of shared experiences reminded me of the importance of rebuilding the connections I had lost. I am far from fully healed, but every day is a step forward. I'm working to reconcile the fragments of my double life, rediscovering the person I once was as I build a future centered around service and compassion. 

I Like Movies will forever hold a special place in my heart. Through this film, I am constantly reminded to embrace my own story and stop using death as a shield. If even a filmbro like Lawrence can find redemption, maybe I can too. Every once in a while I’ll watch a movie that helps me find strength in the shared experiences that connect us all as human beings. I Like Movies is one of those.

And that’s why I like movies.