I regret that I missed this one at TIFF, but now that it’s on Netflix it’s going to be able to reach a wider audience. And any film fan who grew up during the 80s and 90s will no doubt recognize parts of themselves in the film’s lead, cinephile Lawrence Kweller (Isiah Lehtinen).

Lawrence is a high school senior who has placed all his hopes on going to NYU for film studies. He’s very socially awkward and his interactions with those around him, including his put-upon mother (Krista Bridges) and his best friend, Matt Macarchuck (Percy Hynes White) can be abrasive and self-centred.

He doesn’t take responsibility for his actions, blames everyone else for his problems, and believes that he can make NYU’s steep tuition by working at one of his dream locations, Sequels Videostore for the year.

He’s in for some surprises.

There are a number of moments I recognized from my own life on the screen in this film, and anyone who has worked in a videostore (late inventories, film recommendations, presales, late fees) will see moments they are more than familiar with. In fact, there were so many that it was like someone had followed me around and taken notes.

His knowledge of film, and his love for it, drives him and causes him to form a very complex relationship with the store’s manager, Alana (Romina D’Ugo). When you find a job in a field you love, and which you know about, relationships that spring to life are based initially on what is perceived as mutual love, and for Lawrence that can be problematic.

Lawrence ends up being his own worst enemy, causing problems with Matt, his mother, Alana, and his entire life threatens to fall down around him if it doesn’t go according to his plan.

Of course, life doesn’t go like that. His mother encourages him to apply to more than NYU, he ruins his friendship with Matt, and because of his mental health issues completely destroys his job. But there are always possibilities…

Often funny, I Like Movies is a nod to film lovers, those of us who struggled to find our way through our teen years when we seemed to be outsiders in one form or another, and those of us who started to finally come into ourselves as we listened to those around us, and those of us who were late bloomers.

Chandler Levack who served as writer and director delivers an engaging, heartfelt film that follows Lawrence through his emotionally painful tribulations to slowly become someone he likes learns to interact with the world around him, and opens himself up to the possibilities it brings.

This one was a delight, and very close to home. Check it out.