Lets move quickly over the fact that Jon Kasdan is the son of Lawrence Kasdan, top-tier Hollywood film royalty with a list of credits that any film geek could recite even if in a coma. So for his "first" film (see the pun in the title?) we have high expectations. This story of young love, while a little uneven, is unforgettable, mainly as a result of the chemistry between the actors. There is no substitution for chemistry. An excellent script by Jon (whose father first attracted attention mainly as a writer) helps, but at the end of the reel its the performances that matter. Britt Robertson has a strong future ahead, she pulls a page from the Rachel McAdams handbook, and actually seems to glow in some shots. The film works, and works brilliantly, whenever the two leads are in frame. Trivia: Kasdan changes Robertson's makeup after the "event" in the film to emphasize the change. It's a cheesy trick but with an actor like Robertson to work it, he pulls it off anyway.
The First Time
2012
Action / Comedy / Drama / Romance
The First Time
2012
Action / Comedy / Drama / Romance
Plot summary
Dave, a high school senior, spends most of his time pining away over a girl he can’t have. Aubrey, a junior with artistic aspirations, has a hot boyfriend who doesn’t quite understand her or seem to care. Although they go to different schools, Dave and Aubrey find themselves at the same party. When both head outside to get some air, they meet. A casual conversation sparks an instant connection, and, over the course of a weekend, things turn magical, romantic, complicated, and funny as Aubrey and Dave discover what it's like to fall in love for the first time.
Uploaded by: OTTO
July 26, 2013 at 12:33 AM
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"First Time" actually first feature for scion of film royalty...
Not the same old teen flick
Aubrey Miller (Britt Robertson) finds a despondent Dave Hodgman (Dylan O'Brien) in an alley behind a raging party. He pines for his friend Jane (Victoria Justice) who has gone off with another guy. They strike up a quick connection despite the fact that she already has a boyfriend.
Jonathan Kasdan (In the Land of Women) directs/writes this teen coming-of-age comedy. He's doing something slightly different from the standard teen flick while using many of its tropes. The movie opens with a pretty long conversation between the leads. It's awkward and strained. Sometimes Kasdan pulls out all the movie clichés from the 90s. It's all jammed in there. Both actors project that uncomfortable sincerity. Unfortunately she even says this is the cheesiest thing ever. I admit that I rolled my eyes, but for some reason, the sincere awkwardness grew on me. It's the kind of sincere awkward conversations we all had in high school and these are two very appealing young actors.
They're a likable couple. The movie just needs more jokes and funnier jokes. I laughed at two scenes. Aubrey's boyfriend is annoying but it pays off for one of those laughs. The dialog is just not sharp enough although Kasdan has some compelling unconventional turns. The scene where Jane backs away from Dave is nearly perfect. That little move speaks so much without saying a word. This movie is caught between two styles. It uses all of the teen comedy tropes like Simon and Big Corporation but it's not that type of teen comedy. It has some nice moves but it doesn't reach the poignant realism of a tougher indie. It's a combo mix that is interesting but doesn't always work.
Great depiction of being caught in the throes of first love
1/15/18. A great teen romance movie that captures the angst of first love. Even more alluring is the couple, O'Brien and Robertson, had the chemistry to make their initial attempt to be the first for each other believable. A teen flick with a lot of heart that is worth catching.