TIFF 2022 Review: I Like Movies – “A warm nostalgic hug”

Films function an escape.  One of the best ones transport us away from the daily the place for a few hours we will enjoy romance or journey, get swept up in drama and even taken to a very completely different universe.  In writer-director Chandler Levack’s function debut, I Like Films, she seamlessly transports us again to the early 2000s when teenaged Lawrence (Isaiah Lehtinen) makes movie his complete world, and the place it turns into more and more apparent that his obsession is all about survival.   

I Like Films takes place in Burlington, a metropolis that many solely drive by way of on the best way to Niagara Falls from Toronto, however the place Levack grew up and the place Lawrence is getting ready to graduating highschool.  He spends most of his time along with his solely good friend Matt Macarchuk (Percy Hynes White), whom he works with on pupil movies, or hangs out at self-proclaimed “Rejects Evening” the place they watch Saturday Evening Reside, generally alongside Lawrence’s mom (Krista Bridges) whom he appears to barely tolerate.  She simply doesn’t perceive him, or his need to go to NYU movie college.  

Try all of our TIFF protectionTo Lawrence, as self-obsessed as he’s film obsessed, his future is crystal clear.  Quickly, he’ll go away all of Burlington in his mud, together with his ‘placeholder’ of a good friend, be mentored by Todd Solondz who will marvel at his skills and make his mark as a filmmaker.  To assist fund the tens of hundreds of {dollars} of tuition, Lawrence will get a part-time job at his native video retailer, Sequels.  In any case, if he could make huge financial institution on the retailer and redeem his ten free leases every week he will likely be on his method!  Nonetheless as Lawrence’s narcissistic nature threatens his solely shut relationships, he varieties a brand new bond along with his boss, Alana (Romina D’Ugo) who would possibly simply be capable of carry him again right down to Earth.

I Like Films is that particular movie that manages to mix its comedy with extra critical undertones and does all of it on this heat nostalgic hug.  People who had been teenagers in Canada (and particularly Ontario) throughout the late 90s or early 2000s are going to search out quite a bit to like in the best way Levack re-creates the period.  There are mentions of Huge Shiny Tunes, the “Cashman” on TV, Chantal Kreviazuk merchandise worn and naturally loads of movie references together with a hilarious operating joke involving the 1998 movie Wild Issues.  I Like Films is unapologetically and quintessentially Canadian and I respect its relatable authenticity.  Although I might want to sometime ask Levack about her seeming dislike for the College of Guelph, my alma mater.  

Nonetheless, even should you aren’t Canadian, there’s nonetheless quite a bit to attach with on this film.  Levack creates this self-centred, egotistical protagonist in Lawrence but nonetheless leaves him weak sufficient to make him endearing.  That is, little question, assisted in Isaiah Lehtinen’s wonderful efficiency, however when his character finally does begin to unravel you understand the fragile stability Levack needed to navigate to make the viewers nonetheless care.  Her writing goes the gap right here, but her selections as a director from the extra intimate side ratio to a few of the scene framing (particularly when D’Ugo has her largest monologue) spotlight her apparent skills behind the digicam.  

I Like Films definitely does spotlight a transparent love of cinema from the brand new and thrilling voice of Chandler Levack.  But as a lot as Lawrence has the business on a pedestal,  it by no means sugarcoats the tough realities of filmmaking.  Films could make desires come true, but in addition can break them.  However that’s not all that I Like Films is all about.  As a result of whereas motion pictures are an escape, they’re simply that.  Ultimately, actuality comes crashing again in as quickly because the display screen goes darkish.  It’s due to this fact necessary to not lose ourselves, to deal with our personal emotional well being, to hook up with the household and buddies round us that preserve us grounded.  That’s what I Like Films actually drives residence.  And for that, and so many causes, I like THIS film an terrible lot. 

 

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