I Like Movies Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teenage film snob gets a job at a video store, thinking it’s his ticket to NYU, but mostly just irritates everyone while trying to understand why people don’t appreciate his cinematic genius.

🍿 I Like Movies: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Teenage Cinephile’s Dream

Lawrence Kweller, a socially awkward and movie-obsessed 17-year-old, has one goal: attend NYU’s prestigious film school. Believing he needs $90,000 for tuition, he takes a part-time job at a local video store called Sequels. This job is his perceived path to achieving his expensive dream.

Life at Sequels and High School Drama

At Sequels, Lawrence is taken under the wing of the older store manager, Alana, forming a complicated friendship. Meanwhile, his narcissistic film snobbery strains his high school relationships, particularly with his best friend Matt. His focus on movies often blinds him to the feelings and perspectives of those around him.

Navigating Friendships and Ambition

Lawrence struggles to balance his demanding job, his high school film project with Matt (and eventually Lauren P.), and his unwavering focus on getting into NYU. His self-absorbed behavior leads to conflicts, particularly as Matt begins to distance himself and form new connections. The pressure of impending university life forces Lawrence to confront the potential need for change.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lawrence Kweller (Isaiah Lehtinen): The self-absorbed, socially awkward 17-year-old cinephile who gets a job at a video store while pursuing his film school dreams.
• Alana (Romina D’Ugo): The older video store manager who forms a complicated friendship with Lawrence and shares her own life experiences.
• Matt Macarchuck (Percy Hynes White): Lawrence’s best friend whose relationship changes as Lawrence’s narcissism and their differing paths impact their bond.
• Terri Kweller (Krista Bridges): Lawrence’s struggling single mother who patiently deals with his difficult behavior and financial limitations.
• Lauren P. (Eden Cupid): An accomplished film editor classmate who becomes close with Matt, causing friction with Lawrence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alana: “Any degree you get is like basically meaningless, so you should take courses that actually interest you. Like experiment, you know? And not just with school ‘coz I actually wish that I had more sex in college.” – Alana gives Lawrence unconventional advice about choosing university courses and life experiences.
• Lawrence Kweller: “NYU Tisch. It’s the only place.” – Lawrence states his unwavering and seemingly unrealistic goal of getting into a specific, expensive film program.
• Lawrence Kweller: “I need your face to do a different face.” – Lawrence awkwardly attempts to direct his friend Matt during filming, highlighting his social ineptitude.
• Lawrence Kweller: “This isn’t filmmaking, Matt. This is just… pointing a camera at stuff.” – Lawrence expresses his dismissive attitude towards his friend’s approach to their school film project, showcasing his film snobbery.
• Lawrence Kweller: “You don’t even know the director.” – Lawrence condescendingly dismisses someone’s opinion about a movie because they lack specific film knowledge.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: $950

💥 I Like Movies Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘I Like Movies’ expecting a quirky comedy about a film nerd, and while it has laughs, it hit me right in the feels way more than I thought it would. Lawrence is… a lot. There were times I genuinely wanted to shake him for how he treated people, especially his poor mom and his best friend Matt. But then I’d see glimpses of that desperate kid underneath, the one just trying to figure out his place and chasing a big dream that feels impossible. I think anyone who was ever an awkward, opinionated teen can relate to some part of him, even the parts you hate. The video store setting felt incredibly nostalgic, taking me right back to wandering aisles looking for hidden gems. And Romina D’Ugo as Alana is just magnetic; their dynamic was surprisingly complex and moving. It’s a movie that reminds you how messy growing up is, and how sometimes not getting exactly what you want is the best thing for you. Definitely worth a watch, especially if you grew up loving movies or working retail!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Cinephiles and movie buffs”
  • “Those nostalgic for the early 2000s and video stores”
  • “Viewers interested in independent and Canadian cinema”
  • “Audiences who appreciate character-driven dramas with complex protagonists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Protagonist displays narcissistic and rude behavior”
  • “Mature themes and dialogue (mentions of sex, trauma)”
  • “Explores themes of grief and family issues (father’s suicide is a background element)”
  • “Some language may be unsuitable for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Indie Film Weekly: “”I Like Movies” is a surprisingly potent coming-of-age story, anchored by an initially off-putting but ultimately compelling protagonist. Isaiah Lehtinen masterfully captures the awkward narcissism of teen film obsession, while Romina D’Ugo shines as his complex video store manager. The film’s strength lies in its raw authenticity and refusal to sanitize its characters, delivering a relatable and often uncomfortable look at growing up a film nerd in the early 2000s.
• Canadian Screen Scene: “Chandler Levack’s debut is a true Canadian gem. Set authentically in 2003 Ontario, it perfectly captures the era and the specific angst of a movie-obsessed teen navigating life’s messy realities. While the lead character can be grating, the strong supporting cast, particularly Krista Bridges as the mom and D’Ugo, provides crucial emotional grounding. It’s a film that understands its setting and its subject with heart and humor.
• Film Buff Monthly: “Packed with clever movie references and genuine video store nostalgia, ‘I Like Movies’ offers a deeply felt, if sometimes frustrating, look at a young cinephile’s journey. Lehtinen’s performance is fearless in portraying Lawrence’s unlikeability, which is central to the film’s theme of learning humility. It’s a small film with a big heart for cinema, exploring the line between passion and pretension.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were divided on the main character, finding him either relatable or insufferable.: Strong performances from the supporting cast (the manager and mom), authentic 2000s nostalgia, and a surprisingly emotional depth despite the quirky premise.

The video store setting brought back fond memories for lots of people.: The film’s honest portrayal of teenage awkwardness, narcissism, and the painful process of growing up and facing reality.

Overall Consensus: A heartfelt, sometimes challenging, coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a 2000s video store, featuring strong performances and relatable themes of teenage ambition, narcissism, and the path to humility, though the protagonist’s unlikeability was a point of contention for some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The set for Sequels video store was constructed in an empty thrift shop in Ajax, Ontario, after plans to use an abandoned Blockbuster were scrapped due to asbestos.”
• “Many of the physical video tapes and store fixtures were sourced from a Blockbuster that had been vacant for a decade.”

🖥️ How to Watch I Like Movies?

Finding ‘I Like Movies’ may require checking various digital platforms. The film is available for rent or purchase on platforms like Apple TV, Prime Video, and YouTube Movies. As an independent Canadian film, check major digital retailers for availability in your region. Streaming availability can change, so consult your preferred platform’s library for the most current options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed I Like Movies, you might like these similar films:

• Superbad (2007): A popular coming-of-age comedy focusing on socially awkward teenage friends navigating their final year of high school.
• Lady Bird (2017): Features a strong-willed, sometimes difficult teenage protagonist navigating her final year of high school, her relationship with her mother, and college aspirations.
• Clerks (1994): A cult classic indie film set primarily in a video store, focusing on the mundane and often humorous daily lives and philosophical discussions of its employees.
• The Fabelmans (2022): Explores the coming-of-age journey of an aspiring filmmaker, delving into his passion for cinema and how it intersects with his family life and social development.
• Funny Pages (2022): Features an often unlikeable young protagonist with artistic aspirations, navigating awkward social situations and mentors in a darkly comedic indie style.

🛒 I Like Movies Related Products

• How to Read a Film: Movies, Media, and Beyond: A comprehensive and engaging guide to understanding film language, history, and theory, updated to cover contemporary media.
• Classic Films Collection (DVD/Blu-ray Set): A curated collection of acclaimed classic films, potentially including titles referenced or admired by characters in ‘I Like Movies’.
• Retro Video Store Wall Art/Poster: High-quality poster art capturing the nostalgic aesthetic of a 2000s-era video rental store, similar to ‘Sequels’.
• Filmmaking Simulation Game (PC/Console): A video game where players manage a film studio or direct their own movies, simulating the creative and logistical challenges of filmmaking.

🎧 Soundtrack

I Like Movies features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “III. Saraband” – performed by George Frideric Handel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why Deadpool’s face won’t heal itself?#shorts

Ever scratched your head wondering why Deadpool’s face stays scarred even with his awesome healing factor? This quick short dives into that exact question, and honestly, the reason is pretty wild when you think about it!

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