Indie Watch
By Dan Krovich
May 2, 2013
The landscape for independent films has changed rapidly. On one hand, the opportunity to build a theatrical release has become increasingly difficult, but on the other hand, digital release has given indies a chance to play to a broad national audience at once. Each week, new indie releases will be profiled and because they might not be playing at a theater near you, one highly recommended film available now a click or two away via VOD (whether a new or not quite new release) will be presented for viewing without leaving your computer.
VOD Pick of the Week
The First Time
Dave, a high school senior, and Aubrey, a junior from a neighboring school, meet outside of a Friday night party. You can tell they are a bit different than their classmates as they have separated themselves from the debauchery going on inside the house. They have an instant connection, but Dave is in love with a girl who only sees him as a friend, while Aubrey is dating an older guy. Dave is an earnest romantic with his life planned out, while Aubrey is an arty alternative girl who likes to project a cynical, sarcastic, tough image. When the party gets broken up by the cops, Dave walks Aubrey home, which begins the weekend that they spend together off and on.
Though it does not quite reach the same heights, The First Time does work as a John Hughes-esque version of Before Sunrise. A large portion of the movie consists of conversations between the two teens as they discuss modern life, their future, love, and of course sex. While it does technically fall into the teenage sex comedy genre, the material is handled more sensitively than usual, and although the characters speak in movie language banter and monologue that is not exactly naturalistic, their thoughts do feel genuine.
The movie kind of sneaks up on you. At first it is easily possible to find yourself rolling your eyes a bit as the characters spout too perfect dialogue, but they will win you over as Dave’s sincerity breaks down Aubrey’s defenses. The young actors are a big reason the movie works. Dylan O’Brien plays Dave as the type of guy that girls say they want even as they throw themselves at jerks. He is sensitive and vulnerable and actually pays attention to what a girl says because he really cares how they feel. Brittany Robertson as Aubrey reminds me of (a pre-break with sanity) Amanda Bynes, which is actually high praise coming from me.
Considering that the title of the movie telegraphs it, it’s not really a spoiler to say that the weekend culminates in Dave and Aubrey having sex for the first time. This does not turn out to be the climax that they perhaps thought it would be as instead of being the final destination of their relationship, it just creates even more complications. The First Time is a sweet and earnest movie. If you are unable to check your cynicism at the door it probably won’t be the movie for you, but if you can go along with it, it provides a pleasant change of pace.
Available at Amazon
Available at iTunes
Available at Vudu
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