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I Like It Like That

Play trailer Poster for I Like It Like That R 1994 1h 45m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Chino (Jon Seda) isn't the best husband to Lisette (Lauren Vélez). His job as a bicycle messenger can barely support them and their three children, and he's having an affair with another woman in the neighborhood. After Chino is arrested for looting, Lisette is forced to find work on her own. By chance she happens to land a job as an assistant to a record executive. When Chino gets out of prison, he's shocked to discover Lisette is a changed woman -- one who might not need him anymore.
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I Like It Like That

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Critics Consensus

A richly textured romantic comedy, I Like It Like That draws on a smart script and spirited performances to tell a refreshingly original story.

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Critics Reviews

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Anderson Jones Detroit Free Press Martin pries spirited performances from her young cast. She shepherds the striking Velez winningly from her stage work into an inspired film performance, and she wrenches both machismo and vulnerability from Seda. Rita Moreno also does a fine turn. Rated: 3/4 Mar 2, 2022 Full Review Jami Bernard New York Daily News As the movie progresses, just when you think a cliché is coming, the camera wards it off by shifting to the subtler viewpoint. In this way, a bright urban comedy yields emotional truths about pride, doubt, selfhood and love. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 2, 2022 Full Review Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution It's a heck of a debut by a filmmaker who's obviously drawn to complex human predicaments. complex human predicaments. Besides, any film that takes "Try a Little Tenderness" as its theme song has its heart in the right place. Mar 2, 2022 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) Funny and touching, it’s a tribute to the tenacity of mothers, the vibrancy of New York City, and the importance of community as well as family. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn This was a very authentic and progressive reflection of the 90's in the Bronx and somehow doesn't feel dated. It's a very distinct vibe that really works because of the amazing talent that is Lauren Vélez. Rated: 3/5 Sep 25, 2023 Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Even though we're following a relatively toxic relationship, this is a great time capsule of the times and Bronx. The performances were solid and the soundtrack was great. Rated: 3/5 Sep 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Female director Darnell Martin tells a powerful story of a young woman from the Bronx choosing her own happyness It’s the first time an African American filmmaker taking the helm We focus on a Puerto Rican couple Chino and Lisette; they have two kids and are poverty stricken in the southern part of NYC But his job as a bike messenger is barely paying the rent and he’s sleeping with another neighbor Lisette finds a job for herself being an assistant to a record executive Chino then gets sent to jail and by the time he gets out he wants her back But Lisette is a new woman who’s moved on wanting Chino to grow up She refuses to be ignored and to be taken seriously as a success For some of us our lives are the way we like it, for others they change and we prefer it, some independence is just what we need, nobody wants to end up in jail or dead, what’s actually considered a man; someone who steals or someone who provides? The film knows its roots and the creators give it a real authenticity Martin shows the real face of the streets for the Bronx and its citizens At times it gets very intense but it doesn’t skimp on the reality as everyone has their own issues to deal with The importance of community and motherhood is shown here acting as a time capsule Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/15/24 Full Review Maria C THIS MOVIE IS LOVE. This movie is so tender yet fierce with such intensity you can FEEL it through the screen trust me. Made me cry, giggle, and even blush! I LOVE THIS MOVIE top 3 for real. A must watch highly and strongly recommend!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/24 Full Review Audience Member Love this movie it's my life and it's Puerto Rican I'm Puerto Rican â?¤â?¤ð'< Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Crap. How did this end up as a Film Festival pic. The characters have the complexity of cardboard as they meet stereotypes well. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Shit is Real, funny, dramatic, romantic, all of the above. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is actually a good watch! You can't help but repeat some of the comedic wit after its done. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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I Like It Like That

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Movie Info

Synopsis Chino (Jon Seda) isn't the best husband to Lisette (Lauren Vélez). His job as a bicycle messenger can barely support them and their three children, and he's having an affair with another woman in the neighborhood. After Chino is arrested for looting, Lisette is forced to find work on her own. By chance she happens to land a job as an assistant to a record executive. When Chino gets out of prison, he's shocked to discover Lisette is a changed woman -- one who might not need him anymore.
Director
Darnell Martin
Producer
Ann Carli, Lane Janger
Screenwriter
Darnell Martin
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.7M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround
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