It is safe to assume that the vast majority of people like movies, but it’s a much smaller group that makes it their entire personality, the raison d’etre and the motivation for going about their daily life. It’s a world that is both exciting since we can explore over a century of global cinema, but also a profoundly lonely one in many cases, especially for those who are not surrounded by people who share the same fondness for the visual arts. This is mostly present in one’s teenage years since this is the age where socializing takes priority over spending long hours poring over films. These ideas sit at the foundation of I Like Movies, in which Chandler Levack (in her feature-length directorial debut) draws from her own experiences working in a video store as a teenager, in which she encountered the same sense of isolation that we see in the character of Lawrence Kweller, someone who has committed himself so wholeheartedly to the pursuit of the cinematic form, everything else in his life is viewed as secondary, which leads to taut relationships with his friends and family, a very hostile workplace based on his interactions with his pernickety manager who carries her internal trauma, as well as his future, which he comes to realize may not be as seamless as he imagined it would be, which leads to a sense of hopeless despair, from which he is very unlikely to ever emerge, at least not until substantial change has been made. A delightful but thought-provoking comedy that offers us a very different perspective on what it is like to be a young person in a world that you don’t understand (and where the feeling is most certainly mutual), I Like Movies is the rare gem that gives us an unfurnished and direct glimpse into the life of someone extremely ordinary, but showing their journey as one that is difficult to not embrace, especially in terms of the smaller, and more precise details that keep such a story engaging and compelling, making this a truly unforgettable film.

We have seen countless coming-of-age films produced over the decades, and while there are similarities that are generally shared with many, the truly great ones stand on their own and approach certain subjects very differently, offering a new perspective when most of us would have thought it would veer towards convention. I Like Movies is not all that revolutionary in how it views the world, not particularly notable outside of a few curious details – but yet we can’t help but be entirely enchanted by this film, which takes the form of an intimate, quiet independent production that has an equal balance of comedy and drama, which draws our attention to the fact that life is not entirely joyful, nor is it defined by tragedy – instead, it’s a series of oscillations between the two, a daily journey that many of us struggle to understand at first, but grow more comfortable in exploring once we can comprehend the scope of the challenges ahead of us. They may not be easily overcome, but addressing them in some way, and taking the necessary steps to at least attempt to surmount these obstacles. In adulthood, we often tend to look back on our teenage years and wonder why it seemed so challenging, especially in comparison to what we face later on in life. However, we miss the fact that adolescence is not an easy time, and for the protagonist in I Like Movies, he stands at an existential crossroads, being at the awkward age where he is still young enough to get away with his sometimes juvenile antics, but at the point where he needs to start deciding on his future, and that he can no longer rely on youth as an excuse for his insecurity and erratic behaviour. The extent to which Levack is drawing from her own experiences is not clear, but she is touching on several universal themes that feel oddly quite resonant, even for those who didn’t grow up in this particular socio-cultural milieu – while we may not all be eccentric teenagers growing up in a small Canadian town in the early 2000s, we can certainly relate to many of the broader details that drive this film, which is what gives I Like Moves such a rugged charm and a forthright honesty that feels extremely captivating.

The phrase “a love letter to cinema” has become so taut and overused, and is usually just asserted on any film that contains some element of celebrating the art of filmmaking, whether within the industry or simply with the audiences that are captivated by the moving picture. I Like Movies makes it very clear that it intends to explore the life-changing power of cinema, focusing squarely on someone who has committed his life to understanding this art form and trying his best to enter into the industry himself, something he believes can be achieved through sheer gall and gumption, rather than realizing the scope of work that needs to be done to even get your foot in the door, which is an astonishing achievement in itself. This film is not delusional in how it tells this story – the life of a film lover is not always a joyful one, since while we may share the experience with different people, and some even find kindred spirits that have the same passion, the very act of watching film is an isolated experience, as we form a connection with the images on screen much more than the people around us, and it can lead to a sense of wonder for the art, but a loss of opportunity to form a bond with the tangible people in our lives. This film walks a very narrow tightrope in how it simultaneously celebrates and criticizes the life of its main character, showing him as being someone who has not made any effort to grow up, instead getting lost in the movies, to the point where it seems impossible to even have a conversation without the subject of cinema coming up in some form or another. Yet, we soon learn that there is a reason for this, which helps justify this film’s approach to defining its protagonist and showing his reasons for escaping into this fantasy world that only he occupies, the explanation for which is heartbreaking and deeply moving, and elevates I Like Movies to be far more than what it seems to be on the surface.

The character of Lawrence is quite a peculiar figure in this film and someone whose journey is easily applicable to the lives of many viewers. He’s not particularly interesting, or all that talented – if anything, his inflated sense of self-importance overtakes whatever marginal talents he may have, and prove that he isn’t some artistic prodigy or genius whose existence in a small town is somehow preventing him from achieving greatness. Perhaps it is cynical, but people like Lawrence very rarely achieve the dreams they set out for themselves, since the industry is challenging beyond belief, and while these childhood dreams may be motivational, they aren’t realistic. However, this film is not about his attempts to show his talent, since even he knows that he is not primed for that industry, but continues to delude himself into believing it is something that he can achieve, as a means to comfort himself, escaping from the bland existence he has been given. In casting the role, the director finds a perfect actor in the form of Isaiah Lehtinen, who is exceptional in the part – he commits entirely to the character, playing him with an equal balance of humour and sadness, which creates a very clear sense of understanding between the actor and the material. It is not a performance that depends entirely on his eccentricity but instead uses it as one of the many traits we come to unearth when exploring this character and his life, which is beautifully portrayed by Lehtinen, who makes a remarkable case for becoming one of the most promising young actors working today. He is joined by Romina D’Ugo, as the manager with whom he has a love-hate relationship, and Krista Bridges as his long-suffering mother who has done her best to raise him but finds herself at a loss for ways to help him, which only emphasizes the lack of connection between Lawrence and those who surround him, one of the primary aspects that make this film so captivating and complex.

I Like Movies is not simply a film about finding value in cinema and its history but instead uses this theme as a starting point to discuss the process of healing, and how art is essentially a way for us to experience some form of emotional catharsis, and whether we are creating or consuming it, there is something about a well-constructed piece of cinema that helps guide us through life. Certain films resonate better than others, and we all form strong connections to particular works that speak to us on a human level. This is what this film is so intent on exploring, and it does so with such incredible wit and honesty, while never avoiding the more serious discussions that would otherwise define such a film. It is a charming and very funny film that has a deep sense of dedication to its material, and while it can sometimes feel quite cynical, especially when exploring the trauma that underpins the characters and their journeys, it is still a meaningful celebration of art, and how it reflects our own lives, being a source of both escapism and healing, both of which are important elements that many of us who adore cinema tend to find is a shared sentiment. It is a simple film with a lot of heart, and it never dares to be anything more than it needed to be to deliver a strong message. Tenderly funny and always willing to have deeper conversations, I Like Movies is a wonderful celebration of cinema, particularly in how it plays a role in guiding our lives. Many lonely young people will see themselves reflected in this film, and while it can be uncomfortable at times, it proves that everything will ultimately work out in the end, granted we are willing to take the leap and look away from the screen now and then, and instead focus on the expansive, beautiful world that surrounds us.