Review by
Eric Hillis
Directed by: Chandler Levack
Starring: Isaiah Lehtinen, Romina D'Ugo, Krista Bridges, Percy Hynes White, Dan Beirne, Andy
McQueen, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll
Writer/director Chandler Levack's 2003 set feature debut
I Like Movies is one of the more derivative films I've
seen all year, essentially mashing The Good Girl and
The Edge of Seventeen
in a blender. But the specificity of its setting – in terms of both time
and place – will resonate with film lovers over a certain age, and may
also make them feel a little uncomfortable.
A few years ago the label "film bro" began to pop up everywhere. It
morphed from being applied to young men who only watch movies made by a
certain type of revered male auteur (Scorsese, Tarantino, PTA et al) to
now being wielded as an anti-intellectual, anti-curiosity sword to shank
any male viewer who commits the mortal sin of appreciating a movie made
in the 20th century or one that requires subtitles to be read, or
greatest crime of all, happens to be in black and white. When I think of
a "bro" I picture some douchebag in a backwards cap chugging one of
those tiny beers Americans drink – not exactly the prime audience for
Apichatpong Weerasethakul, more like the sort of bloke whose favourite
movie is The Boondock Saints. In my experience men with an interest in movies beyond the mainstream
are frail or overweight types who suffer from social anxiety.
Types like Lawrence, the protagonist of Levack's film, played by
Isaiah Lehtinen in what would be a star-making turn if the people
who created stars still watched indie movies. He's a movie obsessed
narcissist who only has one friend, Matt (Percy Hynes White), but
even Matt is more of a colleague than a friend, helping Lawrence to make
his home movies. In the film's most uncomfortable moment, Lawrence
describes Matt as a "placeholder" until he makes better friends in
college. Despite displaying no talent for filmmaking, Lawrence has
convinced himself he's going to be accepted into NYU, where one of his
heroes, Todd Solondz, is on the faculty. Even if he was accepted, where
would he get the $90,000 admission fee?
Economics not being his strong suit, Lawrence takes a job at a local
Blockbuster-esque video store called Sequels. His boss is Alana (Romina D'Ugo), who is simultaneously sympathetic of Lawrence while also having no
time for his bullshit. Similar to Hailee Steinfeld's character in
The Edge of Seventeen, Lawrence's father took his own life four years ago and he's been
using this to get away with being a sociopath. Whenever his mother
admonishes him he merely has to mention his father for her to back down.
Teachers similarly treat him with kid gloves. Even Matt feels unable to
stand up to Lawrence. But Alana is oblivious to Lawrence's past and
treats him as she would anyone else. It's such a revelation to Lawrence
that he mistakes her bluntness for romantic affection.
Though set in 2003, primarily to accommodate its video store setting
(Levack was once employed by such an outlet), the period setting slyly
critiques the era we find ourselves living in today. We're surrounded by
narcissists like Lawrence today because it's become taboo to call anyone
out on their bad behaviour. Sure, people will gladly pile on to a celeb
for any minor indiscretion, yet they'll let their family and friends get
away with anything. Lawrence is essentially using the very modern method
of playing the victim card with regards to his father's death. He
believes he's the only person who has gone through a traumatic
experience, and is shocked when Alana tells him something horrific she's
never been able to tell anyone else. "Why would you tell me that?" is
his unsympathetic response. By being made aware that there's nothing
special about his grief, Lawrence feels victimised, stripped of a layer
of protection.
I Like Movies suggests that if we don't start calling out
young narcissists they're going to get a shock when they enter the real
world (Lawrence's expression when he sees his paltry first pay cheque is
priceless). Alana tells Lawrence that college will be good for him,
instructing him on how to come out of his shell and make friends by
showing empathy for others. This will raise a wry smile considering how
North American colleges now seem dedicated to cocooning young people
from the adult world.
Anyone who loves an art form is a narcissist to some degree when it
comes to their personal taste. Just as Lawrence is horrified when he's
asked to flog copies of Shrek, we all frown at what we perceive as the awful taste of people who are
less committed to the medium we love. But I'm sure wine and cheese
lovers throw up in their mouth a little when they see the cheap plonk
and cheddar we pull off the shelves. We'll never be cured of this
particular strain of narcissism, and I think Levack might admit to that
herself, but she's wise enough to know that every now and then you need
to hit the eject button (or turn off the phone) and get out into the
real world.
I Like Movies is in Irish cinemas from December 15th. A UK release has yet to be announced.
