The First Time (2012) Film Review

The First Time (2012) Starring Dylan O' Brien and Britt Robertson

I don't know if anyone will have heard of The First Time, as it was a low key, 'crappy' romantic comedy film that came out two years ago, and only made $22,846 at the box office. However, The First Time is the best teenage romantic film currently on the market for people like me (secret hopeless romantic teenage girl who also does not care what Rotten Tomatoes said, giving it a 47% rating on their website)

The plot, without giving anything away is pretty simple:
Dave (played by Dylan O' Brien, cue Teen Wolf fangirls and myself)  is a high school student and a hopeless romantic, pining after a girl he can't have called Jane (Victoria Justice) who puts him so badly in the friend zone he can't seem to crawl out. Then Dave meets Aubrey (Britt Robertson) at a party and after a conversation and dancing together, the rest of the film takes place over a very long weekend and is the most awkward yet cute display of teenage romance. And sex. 

Why I think it is a masterpiece? Where to begin. Dylan O' Brien is probably the main reason. 

Dylan started off in MTV's Teen Wolf as the lovable Stiles, and recently has been hitting it big in The Maze Runner as the protagonist Thomas. Dylan makes a really great Dave in this film, and remains especially funny throughout - 
Dave has two almost 'sidekicks' in the film, Big Cooperation (LaMarcus Tinker) and His Englishman friend (Craig Roberts). Craig Roberts spends most of the film giving Dave rubbish love advice and talking about rock chics who cant be bothered to shave their pits, and Big Cooperation spends most the film looking out the window until he opens his mouth to either stop a fight breaking out, or to actually give Dave some good advice. 

Arguably, Big Cooperation is one of those small characters  in films that fit into what film critics have coined 'The magic negro' (Which is kinda offensive and maybe a little racist). The 'Magic Negro' does not have any kind of ambitions of his own, but his whole character revolves around helping his white protagonist friend. However, I think that in this film, it works, because he was hilarious. 

Britt Robertson and Dylan O' Brien are exceptionally good in this film together. So much so, they ended up hitting it off and dating in real life. Unfortunately there isn't much on their relationship on the internet, but they are presumably still together. 

 

Lastly, the film has the best soundtrack ever. Below is a link to said playlist, which is on it's way to getting a million views. I highly recommend Wait for me by Motopony and Silly Boy By The Blue Van, which easily are the best songs I have heard all year. 

Here is a link to the soundtrack on YouTube: 

Full The First Time Soundtrack, YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zeG42DIiTY&list=PLGGfcOaYSOkL4NT_HGrg-cQRwsVAPlBoy&index=2 

So I suggest you got watch it, especially if you are single, between the ages of 14 - 19 and want to depress yourself. I have forced many of my friends upon this film, and have even made my 13 year old brother watch it with me. Yes, I am crazy I know, but who can resist a bit of Dylan O' Brien?