The First Time Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two teens meet, talk a lot, almost do the deed, do the deed awkwardly, and then… still talk a lot, but now they’re a couple.

🍿 The First Time: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting in the Alley

Dave, a high school senior, is practicing a confession of love for his long-time crush, Jane, outside a party. He’s overheard by Aubrey, a junior from another school, who offers brutally honest advice. Their unexpected connection sparks as they walk home together after the party is raided by police, sharing personal thoughts and feelings.

Navigating First Feelings

The weekend unfolds with Dave and Aubrey spending more time together, complicating their existing relationships. Dave is still hung up on Jane, while Aubrey is dating Ronny, a socially conscious but unromantic college student. They grapple with their growing attraction and discuss their virginity, leading to some awkward and heartfelt moments.

The Breaking Point

At a party, Ronny reveals his intention to sleep with Aubrey, prompting Dave to confront her, confessing his feelings. After a minor scuffle, Aubrey breaks up with Ronny and asks Dave to pick her up. They drive around, share a kiss, and decide to spend the night together at Aubrey’s house while her parents are out, leading to their first sexual experience which is awkward and less than perfect, leaving them both confused.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dave Hodgman (Dylan O’Brien): A shy high school senior who experiences a transformative first weekend with Aubrey, challenging his feelings for his long-time crush.
• Aubrey Miller (Britt Robertson): A down-to-earth junior who connects with Dave, leading her to question her relationship and explore her feelings about first love and intimacy.
• Jane Harmon (Victoria Justice): Dave’s long-time crush, who remains oblivious to his romantic feelings and values him as a close friend.
• Ronny (James Frecheville): Aubrey’s preachy and somewhat pretentious boyfriend, who represents a contrasting relationship style to the connection she finds with Dave.
• Simon Daldry (Craig Roberts): Dave’s friend who provides comedic relief and often cynical advice regarding Dave’s romantic pursuits.
• Big Corporation (Lamarcus Tinker): Dave’s friend who delivers sage advice, encouraging Dave to act like a man.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Aubrey: “I don’t have a Facebook. I’m waiting for something better to come along.” – Introduces her character’s unique perspective and disinterest in social media.
• Dave: “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, and I don’t know what it means.” – Shows Dave’s vulnerability and inexperience as he grapples with his feelings for Aubrey.
• Aubrey: “We should probably just make out now before we start actually liking each other.” – Said with nervous humor, highlighting the potential for deeper feelings.
• Big Corporation: “Be a man, don’t bail.” – Simple yet impactful advice given to Dave when facing relationship troubles after the ‘first time’.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,836
• Worldwide Gross: $92,654

💥 The First Time Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The First Time’ really got to me! I was NOT expecting to feel so much. Seeing Dave and Aubrey’s awkwardness made me remember all my own first experiences. When they finally kiss after the fight with Ronny? *swoon*. It’s not perfect, but it’s honest, and that’s what makes it awesome. I think it’s a MUST watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of teen romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories”
  • “Those who enjoy films with realistic relationship dynamics”
  • “Dylan O’Brien fans”
  • “Britt Robertson fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes including teen sexuality”
  • “Partying”
  • “Language”
  • “Brief depiction of a car accident”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Though predictable, ‘The First Time’ succeeds due to its charming leads and natural dialogue. O’Brien and Robertson elevate a familiar story into something genuinely sweet and relatable, capturing the awkwardness of first love with surprising authenticity. A pleasant surprise for the teen rom-com genre.
• Variety: “Kasdan’s script offers moments of genuine insight into teenage anxieties, even if the plot treads familiar ground. Dylan O’Brien and Britt Robertson deliver nuanced performances, making their characters feel like real people navigating the messy landscape of first love.
• The Hollywood Reporter: ” ‘The First Time’ avoids many of the pitfalls of the teen rom-com genre, thanks to strong performances and a script that prioritizes character development over cheap laughs. While not groundbreaking, it’s a refreshing and enjoyable take on the familiar story of first love.

Audience Reactions

The raw honesty of the dialogue and realistic portrayal of awkwardness.: Most viewers appreciated the genuine chemistry between the lead actors and how the movie felt more relatable than typical teen rom-coms.

The soundtrack perfectly complements the movie’s mood and themes.: Many loved the music choices that made the atmosphere more sentimental and fun.

Overall Consensus: A sweet and relatable teen rom-com that rises above the genre’s clichés thanks to strong performances and genuine chemistry between the leads.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dylan O’Brien and Britt Robertson, who played Dave and Aubrey, were in a relationship off-screen during the filming of the movie.”
• “The film was directed and written by Jon Kasdan, son of the famous filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan (writer of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, director of ‘The Big Chill’).”
• “Victoria Justice’s role as Jane Harmon was relatively small compared to the main leads, and the film’s marketing did not heavily feature her despite her popularity at the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch The First Time?

As of October 2024, “The First Time” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings as availability may vary. Check JustWatch to find all the rental and purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The First Time, you might like these similar films:

• The Spectacular Now (2013): Explores the complexities of teenage romance and self-discovery with realistic characters and dialogue.
• Love, Simon (2018): A coming-of-age story that deals with the awkwardness and excitement of first love with a focus on identity and acceptance.
• Say Anything… (1989): Iconic 80s teen romance that captures the intensity and earnestness of young love.
• Booksmart (2019): Focuses on the pivotal moments and relationships in high school, portraying the awkwardness and excitement of teenage experiences.
• Sixteen Candles (1984): Classic coming-of-age story filled with awkward moments, teenage angst, and first crushes, mirroring the themes of ‘The First Time’.

🛒 The First Time Related Products

• Dylan O’Brien Poster: A high-quality poster featuring Dylan O’Brien, perfect for fans of the movie and the actor’s other works. It shows his character, Dave, looking dreamingly out the window
• ‘The First Time’ Movie Script (Digital Download): A digital copy of the film’s screenplay, including bonus commentary from writer/director Jonathan Kasdan. Go scene by scene and explore the dialogue in depth.
• Teen Wolf: The Complete Series (DVD): Relive the excitement of Teen Wolf with this comprehensive DVD set, perfect for fans of Dylan O’Brien who want to see him in another iconic role. Follow the story of high schooler Scott McCall as he transforms into a werewolf and navigates the challenges of adolescence, supernatural threats, and complex relationships.
• Vinyl Record Player: A vintage-style record player to enjoy the soundtrack from The First Time and other favorite albums. It has speakers and all kinds of sound features. Great for playing old, classic music and new hits.

🎧 Soundtrack

The First Time features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Silly Boy” – performed by The Blue Van
• “First Time” – performed by Thaddeus Dixon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Britt Robertson Talks Kissing Dylan O’Brien in ‘The First Time’

Ever wonder what it’s like to film a first kiss scene? Britt Robertson spills the tea about working with Dylan O’Brien on ‘The First Time’, and it sounds both awkward and amazing! I found it quite entertaining hearing her perspective.

✨ Rate