Adam the First (2024) User Reviews

Enjoyable watch with some good performances

[solojere · 9/10 · 25 February 2024]

I went and saw Adam The First in a film. I had never heard about this movie before, but my local theater was showing it, and nothing else that was playing seemed that interesting. I had a free night, and I thought I would give it a chance, and I'm really glad I did. The film follows Adam, who was raised in the woods by a pair of survivalists who aren't his biological parents. All he knows about his parents is that his father abandoned him after his mother died when he was a baby. However, when things happen that are outside of Adam's control, Adam finds himself on a quest to find his real father. His only clue is a list of three different men who all have the same name. I won't give anything else away because I feel like this movie is one of those films that are better to go in, not knowing too much about what happens. What I will say is that this film felt like a grounded adventure film in the same vein as Huckleberry Finn. The characters were all interesting, and for the most part, their actions were all logical. The kid who played Adam did a great job, and all the other actors played their parts well, even if they aren't super well known. The exception is David Duchovny. I'm not super familiar with him, but he was good at this. All in all, Adam the First was different from a lot of modern movies, but in a good way, and the ending left me satisfied. So, if you are looking for a movie that will make you think and that is emotionally satisfying, give this one a watch.

A painful, predictable slog

[dcj2 · 10/10 · 6 May 2024]

With only 33 ratings so far, this film has an 8.7 rating. I fully expect that number to plummet as more people see this film. It starts out fine, with Duchovny delivering surprisingly well in his role as a backwoods survivalist with a big heart. But once the main catalyst of the plot happens, the focus turns to young Adam, and that's where things fall off the cliff. I'm sure the actor is a fine young man, and his good looks will appeal to many, but his performance is absolutely flat. While several of the shots are quite beautiful, the overall direction and cinematography are very heavy handed, like completing the workbook assignments out of a Film101 class. The music is grating at times, the editing harsh, the dialog very stiff. The plot itself is just a series of vignettes with no connecting thread - nothing that Adam experiences or learns affects anything that comes later. I thought the heavy-handed "father figure" montage was the about as bad as this film could get, but then came the incredibly ridiculous seminar scene. The icing on the cake is one of the most excruciating camera shots I've ever sat through: a solid 2+ minutes s-l-o-w-l-y p-a-n-n-i-n-g across a diner full of people who are doing absolutely nothing but staring at a character who is off screen for 95% of the time. And finally, the big reveal at the end was telegraphed within the first five minutes of the movie, so there was no emotional payoff.

I can appreciate what the writer/director was going for, but what he's delivered falls far, far short of the mark. Skip this one.

Amazing movie! Must see in the theater

[blackfrancie · 10/10 · 16 April 2024]

Lush cinematography and a great script make for an excellent movie. The characters are believable and seem real. The film was made in Mississippi and showcases much of the natural beauty that the state offers. The wardrobe is interesting and fits the script well. The characters' hair and makeup are expertly done.

I have ADHD and this movie was so well made that it kept my attention focused the entire time. The storyline is interesting and keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. The movie is full of great actors such as David Duchovny, Oakes Fegley, Larry Pine, Kernesha Steele and many more.