I Like Movies

It's a Canadian comedy-drama set in 2003, primarily in Burlington, Ontario, with a few scenes at the end in Ottawa. It follows a teenager in the last year of high school obsessed with Saturday Night Live and commercial movies but is socially inept.

Lawrence Kweller (Isaiah Lehtinen) is a pudgy, smart-mouthed teenager who attends a large high school in Burlington, Ontario (a suburb of Hamilton, Ontario, on the Toronto side). He lives with his single mom (Krista Bridges); his father's absence is explained partway through the film. His best friend, Matt (Percy Hynes White), and Lawrence spend every Saturday night (Rejection Night) watching Saturday Night Live. They've agreed to produce the school's yearend memory movie but have trouble getting started and get in trouble with their teacher (Anand Rajaram). Nevertheless, Lawrence dreams of getting into the film program at New York University, despite the cost being far beyond his family's means.

The film follows Lawrence's efforts to make money for university by working at the local outlet of a big-chain video store. He becomes enamored with his manager, Alana (Romina D'Ugo), who is attractive but pushing age 30. His friendship with Matt changes because of his work schedule and Matt's decision with an accomplished female classmate (Eden Cupid), who is an experienced film editor. The film climaxes with a crisis at the video store and Lawrence's ultimate post-secondary decision.

"I like Movies" was more drama and less comedy than I expected. The dialogue was well-done, and Lawrence's personality was a teenager with whom you could develop a real love-hate relationship. Isaiah Lehtinen, Krista Bridges, and Romina D'Ugo were excellent. Eden Cupid was outstanding in a minor role. However, I found the film's ending too facile to be believable and the film's opening a bit jarring. The core storyline was good, though Lawrence was more naive about university than someone knowing the details of NYU's film program would be.

Another coming of age movie, nothing sensational here, but I found the characters to be way more likeble then in Lady bird or Funny pages.

Amazing detailing for those who pay attention: Canadian lore, movies references, really fitting soundtrack and costumes down to elaborated accessory and so on.

But the thing that earned my 9 stars rating is cast acting. Every one of them, even the smallest roles like school teacher or second guy in the Sequels, are real, not boring, not flat, they are interesting to watch! Such a great job! Definitely should take the Best cast in whatever award they have this nomination.

Isaiah Lehtinen, Romina D'Ugo and Percy Hynes White amazed me, made me do some revaluation of my youth and "moved me, emotionally, which I think is the highest compliment".

That's a lot to get from any movie 👏

I can't say enough good things about this movie! It's a charming, heart-breaking coming-of-age story that will make film lovers everywhere laugh with recognition. And I love how specific and true it is to its Southern Ontario setting. A masterpiece.

Anyone who says the protagonist is unlikeable, just doesn't get it. He's flawed and human and it's delightful to watch him learn the errors of his ways and grow as a person.

Director Chandler Levack is in full control of her story, period details are spot on and the acting is superb.

This is one of the best Canadian films I have ever seen hands down.

In excellent, low-key '90s-based rites-of-passage dramedy "I Like Movies" quirky (to almost 'on the spectrum' level) cinephile teen nerd Isaiah Lehtinen (off-the-scale good) dreams of NYU film school from his nondescript Canadian high school while being painfully condascending to those around him (like pal Percy Hynes White & mum Krista Bridges) before rather idolising Romina D'Ugo, his manager at the video-store job that he loves. Debut writer (and director) Chandler Levack EXCELS with his authentic script of genuine characters - all terrifically performed to give it the feel of "Clerks", but more 'real'. Stars should be born from this wonderful gem.

Watching this film, I couldn't help but forgive its shortcomings. It was clearly made on a shoestring budget, with unremarkable locations and occasionally amateurish performances. However, the story's universal appeal overshadowed these flaws. As a film lover and someone who struggles with socializing, I found myself deeply moved and able to relate. The film tackles the theme of moving on and growing up, a familiar territory in cinema. Despite lacking groundbreaking elements, it exudes a nostalgic charm that captivates. The writing, direction, and acting are surprisingly strong, which adds to its merit.