I see a lot of negative reviews because it didn't have a cliche' ending, and saying it wasn't a coming of age lesbian high school story. I believe this movie is a very realistic coming of age lesbian story. When I was in highschool, it wasn't something you could come out with and be. There were a lot of girls who were gay, but would hide it. When they would get exposed, they would pull the "I was drunk" "It was forced" card. I think this movie's story line is a great depiction of coming out. I believe there was a happy ending and a great message at the end. Anne was falsely accused by Sasha, sexually assaulted and bullied by her best friend Cliff for being gay. She was happy at the end because after telling a complete stranger that she was gay, she felt a huge weight off her chest and she can be who she truly is. This movie get 5 stars because they rushed the story. They focused on small moments instead of the characters. They spend more time on the friend Cliff (straight guy) instead of what the story line is about....lesbians. By the time this movie gets to the point, you're annoyed at how they made light of everything, and sympathized with the guy who sexually assaulted and bullied the main character Anne. This movie had a lot of potential, but i believe the problems are with directing.
22 Reviews
Finding ones true idendity
PaxtonMalloy9 May 2020
With some movies you just know right from the get go, that you will like them. It can be as little as the combination of a certain font used for the credits combined with a moving score. First Girl I Loved is one of those movies. Even though all 3 main characters are portrayed nicely by the actors it is Dylan Gelula who carries the movie. We can see how she feels at any given second, her confusion, uncertainty and fear. I know that some people will call this an LGBT film but I will not. Because it would limit what this film is. It of course is about that but it is also a coming of age story. A story of finding your true self whatever that encapsulates. The feelings of all of our main characters at that point in life where you have to figure out who you are and we have all been there and can relate.
This movie is directed very well cutting some scenes short that will get revealed later but it will be at its best when it reaches the climax. A scene where the stakes are so high and emotions burst. It will be hard to watch but it is in my opinion the most powerful scene which also finally gives Pamela Adlon a well deserved moment to shine. The can be never enough that send a message of who and however you are, you are ok.
This movie is directed very well cutting some scenes short that will get revealed later but it will be at its best when it reaches the climax. A scene where the stakes are so high and emotions burst. It will be hard to watch but it is in my opinion the most powerful scene which also finally gives Pamela Adlon a well deserved moment to shine. The can be never enough that send a message of who and however you are, you are ok.
"Negasonic Teenage Warhead" plus coming-of-age lesbian is a sure winner! Right?
The_Melancholic_Alcoholic10 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, this is {A} a sympathetic movie and {B} as confused as the feelings of the teens themselves. I got here because of Hildebrand - who has the greatest character name in the history of all film (in Deadpool), - and the title, which just kind of SCREAMS "coming-of-age lesbian story". That title is such a dead giveaway, it's almost embarrassing.
So, if the intent of this movie was to try to convey the confusion that teens feel when dealing with their sexuality or when they're trying to come out of the closet ... this movie really succeeds and is a ten, because it's really confusing.
Now, I'm not one for linear storytelling with flat characters and the forces of Good vs Evil, but this movie attempt at NOT being that.... well, it clearly fails. Apparently, telling a non-linear story, with characters that aren't either purely sympathetic or clearly nasty.... is very hard. To be honest, I don't know how to do that either, and I do salute the attempt itself. However, they're just not pulling it off. At the end of any movie or story, the kind of wonder, or open endings that the viewer is left with should be, lets say ... less confusing?
For example: Why did Anne have sex with Cliff (she clearly cooperates with him) and the guy from the bar, if she didn't want to? I can see how she wants to be compliant, or that she's taught/brainwashed into just going along with the expectations from the men or boys around her, but the movie should not have left that one hanging, it should've been more explicit about her motives.
Apparently, Cliff knew that Anne was lesbian, but he still had sex with her anyway? What kind of friend/BFF is that? And, no, Anne shouldn't spoon with Cliff, that really DOES count as 'leading him on' unless the girl really SAYS that is as far as it goes. Again, sure, she might be confused about what she wants, but her doubt/struggle isn't really made clear.
Anyways, this is a clear case of "great effort but poor scripting". Very MESSY scripting.
5/10 The Melancholic Alcoholic.
So, if the intent of this movie was to try to convey the confusion that teens feel when dealing with their sexuality or when they're trying to come out of the closet ... this movie really succeeds and is a ten, because it's really confusing.
Now, I'm not one for linear storytelling with flat characters and the forces of Good vs Evil, but this movie attempt at NOT being that.... well, it clearly fails. Apparently, telling a non-linear story, with characters that aren't either purely sympathetic or clearly nasty.... is very hard. To be honest, I don't know how to do that either, and I do salute the attempt itself. However, they're just not pulling it off. At the end of any movie or story, the kind of wonder, or open endings that the viewer is left with should be, lets say ... less confusing?
For example: Why did Anne have sex with Cliff (she clearly cooperates with him) and the guy from the bar, if she didn't want to? I can see how she wants to be compliant, or that she's taught/brainwashed into just going along with the expectations from the men or boys around her, but the movie should not have left that one hanging, it should've been more explicit about her motives.
Apparently, Cliff knew that Anne was lesbian, but he still had sex with her anyway? What kind of friend/BFF is that? And, no, Anne shouldn't spoon with Cliff, that really DOES count as 'leading him on' unless the girl really SAYS that is as far as it goes. Again, sure, she might be confused about what she wants, but her doubt/struggle isn't really made clear.
Anyways, this is a clear case of "great effort but poor scripting". Very MESSY scripting.
5/10 The Melancholic Alcoholic.
most horrible movie ever.
ashleylourencoacts13 April 2020
Worst thing ever. Id rather watch kids tv for hours on end. horrible plot, little character development, its really frustrating and not at all worth your time. I was left confused most of the movie if i wasnt screaming at the stupidity of this bs. do not waste your time, find an actual good lgbtq+ movie. makes me wanna scoop my eyes out with plastic spoons by the end.
Flavorful youthful
zohaibbjaaan8 December 2020
Big giant oof
emilymin-443262 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The chemistry between Sasha and Anne is undeniable. They perfectly emulate the whole "my first time with a girl was in high school" kind of vibe. Nothing short of sweet. But then things get complicated and suddenly not everything is sunshine and rainbows especially when Sasha denies even having feelings for Anne.
And to top it off, you've got Anne's best guy friend, Clifton, who turns out to be an unreliable friend and goes so far as to-well...
There were a couple of things I didn't understand in the movie though. There were times when it would jump back and forth between flashbacks and you never really knew what really went down in certain scenes because they wouldn't reveal it until way later in the movie. Not sure what purpose that has flashing back and forth like that. Just made it more confusing.
The other thing was that the woman who works at the Out of the Closet thrift store; throughout the movie, she kept appearing in different scenes and she'd be there watching Anne. It made her seem like she was supposed to be a love interest or some sort of guardian angel for Anne. But at the very end of the movie, we finally see her interacting with Anne but... not in a very significant way. I don't understand why the movie placed so much emphasis on that woman by having her be in three different scenes watching Anne but it wasn't needed.
Another thing that kinda lost me was the thing about Sasha and Anne kissing and that photo appearing in their yearbook. When Anne grabbed the flashdrive from Clifton and she inserted an image, we don't know what the image is but we can assume it's of them kissing. However when they all arrive at the conference, it's said that Clifton was the one who put the photo in the yearbook. Did he really do it? It was unclear and that was really bothersome.
I appreciated the twists to the movie but it felt incomplete at the end and probably for a good reason: that's just how things are irl unfortunately. Sometimes things just don't go accordingly to plan and you get your heart broken.
Gotta give it to everyone in the cast. They were very convincing. I enjoyed just how realistic the plot was and each consequence that followed.
And to top it off, you've got Anne's best guy friend, Clifton, who turns out to be an unreliable friend and goes so far as to-well...
There were a couple of things I didn't understand in the movie though. There were times when it would jump back and forth between flashbacks and you never really knew what really went down in certain scenes because they wouldn't reveal it until way later in the movie. Not sure what purpose that has flashing back and forth like that. Just made it more confusing.
The other thing was that the woman who works at the Out of the Closet thrift store; throughout the movie, she kept appearing in different scenes and she'd be there watching Anne. It made her seem like she was supposed to be a love interest or some sort of guardian angel for Anne. But at the very end of the movie, we finally see her interacting with Anne but... not in a very significant way. I don't understand why the movie placed so much emphasis on that woman by having her be in three different scenes watching Anne but it wasn't needed.
Another thing that kinda lost me was the thing about Sasha and Anne kissing and that photo appearing in their yearbook. When Anne grabbed the flashdrive from Clifton and she inserted an image, we don't know what the image is but we can assume it's of them kissing. However when they all arrive at the conference, it's said that Clifton was the one who put the photo in the yearbook. Did he really do it? It was unclear and that was really bothersome.
I appreciated the twists to the movie but it felt incomplete at the end and probably for a good reason: that's just how things are irl unfortunately. Sometimes things just don't go accordingly to plan and you get your heart broken.
Gotta give it to everyone in the cast. They were very convincing. I enjoyed just how realistic the plot was and each consequence that followed.
Violent, heteronormative, heterosexist trash
chesleyhinds7 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is absolutely disgusting. I don't know why it is called "first girl I loved" because the whole thing is all about Anne's sexually abusive "friend" and his feelings about her queerness. It focuses on his discomfort and him being a victim of Anne's queerness while simultaneously allowing him to be a hero/savior because he takes the blame for her misbehavior at school since he "feels bad" for terrorizing and raping her. It's more about his feelings about her sexuality than her own feelings, including how he rapes her, bullies her for being queer, steals her bike, and then tries to sabotage her relationship with the "first girl she loved" by asking that girl out himself. Then he's once again painted as the sympathetic "victim" but of Sasha who he believes is trying to "play straight". The movie normalizes sexual assault as naive teenaged sexual exploration while discrediting sexual assault survivors by including a false accusation of sexual assault against Anne, a survivor. This is heteronormative, heterosexist, and violent against queer women. It should come with a content warning. If you are looking for a movie that offers an even somewhat accurate or affirming representation of a queer girl's coming-of-age (or the perspective of an actual queer woman) please do yourself a favor and skip this.
A Fresh and Real Coming-Of-Age Film
Munty1329 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I went into this film completely blind. I saw it was part of the NEXT stream and considering the great films that came from last year's (James White), I didn't hesitate. Also, I love high school coming of age films, so I knew when I was at Sundance I was going to see at least one, because there is always one, and it's generally good. And lucky for me, FIRST GIRL I LOVED was fantastic.
We follow Anne, a high schooler who starts to form a relationship with a softball player, Sasha, at the dismay of Anne's best friend Clifton, who has had a crush on her since forever. The development of Anne's new feelings for this girl is one of the most real and least exploitative I've seen in film. There's no bullshit tropes that have become so derivative in 'lesbian' films, but even calling this a lesbian film is a disservice to what this film is about. Its a love story that doesn't try to push an agenda. Its sweet, heartbreaking and super cool all at once.
Dylan Gelula is fantastic as Anne. She shows awesome range, from the great highs she shares with Sasha to the haunting lows she endures with Clifton. Brianna Hildebrand was convincing as the popular, yet reserved Sasha. I'm glad this is the first thing I saw her in, before her appearance in Deadpool next month. It's a great film to start her breakout year. The chemistry the two girls share is so real. Their banter is effortless, developing their relationship at an organic pace. One thing that I love about their relationship is that its Anne who is trying to court Sasha. Anne is much more confident and cool than Sasha, and usually these narratives tell the story from the more self-conscious POV. FIRST GIRL I LOVED switched it up and it worked for the better, creating a unique and relatable romance.
The film features scenes that aren't entirely revealed until later in the story, creating a unique pace for the film. This allows mystery to form around the characters' motivations and reactions. When we are given the full scenes as the film plays out, its a satisfying surprise rather than a cheap trick. We see what the characters' want to remember about the events, but when they have to confront the reality of it, we see the true depths of what really entailed.
Louie's Pamela Aldon plays Anne's mother, and amazes which is no surprise to any fans of CK's show. And to my surprise, Tim Heidecker shows up as a counsellor in a role that is subtly hilarious and against type. Workaholics' Erik Griffin was equally hilarious.
I'm finishing this review two days after seeing the movie, and its still sinking in. I could keep talking about it, but all I need to say is that I loved it and I'm so eager to see it again. Out of the 11 films I saw at Sundance, this one is definitely among my favourites. Having ended the festival with this film, I could not be more satisfied.
We follow Anne, a high schooler who starts to form a relationship with a softball player, Sasha, at the dismay of Anne's best friend Clifton, who has had a crush on her since forever. The development of Anne's new feelings for this girl is one of the most real and least exploitative I've seen in film. There's no bullshit tropes that have become so derivative in 'lesbian' films, but even calling this a lesbian film is a disservice to what this film is about. Its a love story that doesn't try to push an agenda. Its sweet, heartbreaking and super cool all at once.
Dylan Gelula is fantastic as Anne. She shows awesome range, from the great highs she shares with Sasha to the haunting lows she endures with Clifton. Brianna Hildebrand was convincing as the popular, yet reserved Sasha. I'm glad this is the first thing I saw her in, before her appearance in Deadpool next month. It's a great film to start her breakout year. The chemistry the two girls share is so real. Their banter is effortless, developing their relationship at an organic pace. One thing that I love about their relationship is that its Anne who is trying to court Sasha. Anne is much more confident and cool than Sasha, and usually these narratives tell the story from the more self-conscious POV. FIRST GIRL I LOVED switched it up and it worked for the better, creating a unique and relatable romance.
The film features scenes that aren't entirely revealed until later in the story, creating a unique pace for the film. This allows mystery to form around the characters' motivations and reactions. When we are given the full scenes as the film plays out, its a satisfying surprise rather than a cheap trick. We see what the characters' want to remember about the events, but when they have to confront the reality of it, we see the true depths of what really entailed.
Louie's Pamela Aldon plays Anne's mother, and amazes which is no surprise to any fans of CK's show. And to my surprise, Tim Heidecker shows up as a counsellor in a role that is subtly hilarious and against type. Workaholics' Erik Griffin was equally hilarious.
I'm finishing this review two days after seeing the movie, and its still sinking in. I could keep talking about it, but all I need to say is that I loved it and I'm so eager to see it again. Out of the 11 films I saw at Sundance, this one is definitely among my favourites. Having ended the festival with this film, I could not be more satisfied.
Great acting and very believable, but still misses the mark
ElectronWrangler16 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Three things drew me to shell out ten bucks for this movie: 1) Coming- of-age story line, 2) Lesbian romance, and 3) Dylan Gelula.
Anne, superbly portrayed by Gelula, is a somewhat introverted high school photographer working on the yearbook. Sasha is one of the better players on the softball team, pretty but insecure. Anne interviews her and chemistry blooms. Unfortunately, this critical portion of the story was rushed and clunky, with the end effect of leaving the viewer less invested in the budding romance.
Two conflicts are presented. Anne's best (and implied only) friend is another yearbook student, Clifton. When Anne finally manages to convey to him that she has romantic feelings for someone, he reacts poorly to say the least. His negative reaction worsens when Anne haltingly reveals that the object of her affection is another girl.
The other conflict is Sasha. The girls sneak into a local bar. Anne is hit on by a male patron. Sasha's jealousy is immediately apparent and she acts quickly, drawing Anne to the dance floor and very soon kissing her passionately in front of everyone there. Yet later in the story Sasha enjoins Anne to secrecy, and lies to friends/family in an effort to stay in the closet when a picture taken in the bar comes to light.
Anne's difficult relationship with her mother (a stellar Adlon) adds much-needed dimension to both characters and the movie as a whole, but is not enough to save it. While there is a positive revelation by Anne at the end, it's not sufficient to justify the preceding 90 minutes.
The final nail in the coffin is the iterative "critical scene" replay, revealing a bit more with each loop. Nonlinear storytelling is almost impossible to do well, and wasn't done so here. Time that could have been much better spent fleshing out the plot, the high school environment, or Sasha's character was sacrificed by this approach.
Sadly, this movie is a splendid example of how excellent ingredients can easily be combined into an unappetizing and unsatisfying final course. I hate to condemn any well-acted lesbian-themed movie because far too few in the genre even exist, but this one is a major disappointment. Do yourself a favor and skip it.
Anne, superbly portrayed by Gelula, is a somewhat introverted high school photographer working on the yearbook. Sasha is one of the better players on the softball team, pretty but insecure. Anne interviews her and chemistry blooms. Unfortunately, this critical portion of the story was rushed and clunky, with the end effect of leaving the viewer less invested in the budding romance.
Two conflicts are presented. Anne's best (and implied only) friend is another yearbook student, Clifton. When Anne finally manages to convey to him that she has romantic feelings for someone, he reacts poorly to say the least. His negative reaction worsens when Anne haltingly reveals that the object of her affection is another girl.
The other conflict is Sasha. The girls sneak into a local bar. Anne is hit on by a male patron. Sasha's jealousy is immediately apparent and she acts quickly, drawing Anne to the dance floor and very soon kissing her passionately in front of everyone there. Yet later in the story Sasha enjoins Anne to secrecy, and lies to friends/family in an effort to stay in the closet when a picture taken in the bar comes to light.
Anne's difficult relationship with her mother (a stellar Adlon) adds much-needed dimension to both characters and the movie as a whole, but is not enough to save it. While there is a positive revelation by Anne at the end, it's not sufficient to justify the preceding 90 minutes.
The final nail in the coffin is the iterative "critical scene" replay, revealing a bit more with each loop. Nonlinear storytelling is almost impossible to do well, and wasn't done so here. Time that could have been much better spent fleshing out the plot, the high school environment, or Sasha's character was sacrificed by this approach.
Sadly, this movie is a splendid example of how excellent ingredients can easily be combined into an unappetizing and unsatisfying final course. I hate to condemn any well-acted lesbian-themed movie because far too few in the genre even exist, but this one is a major disappointment. Do yourself a favor and skip it.
Not a Completely Unbiased Review
Mighty_Arrow15 February 2017
Part of the reason I love this movie is because I relate to it so much. But if I am trying to look at it in a more unbiased state of mind I still feel that as far as lesbian moves go this one is one of the good ones. The acting is great, the writing is real, and the directing is moving.
There are few lines that are somewhat cringy but as far as the writing goes, these lines fit into the general awkwardness and inexperience that comes along with teenage-hood. These actors are great in their roles. I really believe that they have a connection and really care about them. The screenplay, I believe, is very well done. And the directing helps create this emotional energy that I cannot explain.
I, in my own experience as a lesbian, relate to this movie so much. There are some scenes in the movie that I can just feel the emotion that the actors are trying to get across. It is so eloquently portrayed that I cannot help but feel a connection to it.
In short, this movie is good, maybe great. I liked it quite a bit and encourage you to watch it.
There are few lines that are somewhat cringy but as far as the writing goes, these lines fit into the general awkwardness and inexperience that comes along with teenage-hood. These actors are great in their roles. I really believe that they have a connection and really care about them. The screenplay, I believe, is very well done. And the directing helps create this emotional energy that I cannot explain.
I, in my own experience as a lesbian, relate to this movie so much. There are some scenes in the movie that I can just feel the emotion that the actors are trying to get across. It is so eloquently portrayed that I cannot help but feel a connection to it.
In short, this movie is good, maybe great. I liked it quite a bit and encourage you to watch it.
awful
patheticfool0821 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Graphic straight sex scene for absolutely no reason. Didn't even bother showing the two girls have sex, we're just supposed to assume they did? Gay girl don't hold hands, stroke each other's face and keep all their clothes on during sex. Really boring overall. Don't know why Cliff pining over a gay girl was such a huge part of the movie. Most people will come to this movie to see a lesbian coming of age story, not Cliff's life story. We don't care.
Not what I expected at all. Don't expect a happy go lucky LGBT ending
redjay-7992714 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I have been waiting 2 years to see this movie when I finally found it on Hulu. Don't waste your time watching it. It's cute and all but it's no love story. It doesn't end all cute and satisfying with a cute lesbian couple. I thought for o de we'd have a good respresentation of what it's like to date a girl in high school but nothing happened. The girls had a moment, then they had their drama and one of them admitted to being gay and the end. They weren't even friends at the end of the movie. It was a waste of an ending.
First Girl I Loved - A Review
anysuggestionsblog16 February 2017
Kerem Sanga's First Girl I Loved is a coming of age story following confused high-schoolers trying to figure themselves out in respect to who their friends are, sexual preference and how to accept who they are in the face of so much uncertainty and the constant world of judgement that is high school.
Anne, our protagonist, Cliff, the best-friend, and Sasha, the love interest, are like most high- schoolers in that they are confused about almost everything. We follow their stories through a mixture of flashbacks and flash forwards in an almost cyclic view as we see Anne coming to terms with her sexuality.
For those who attended school in any capacity, you will recall the confusion, the desire to fit in and the fear of judgment from peers whilst simultaneously attempting to understand ones likes and dislikes and to keep it all together with no less than a smile. Both Anne and Sasha comment on the pressure of how they are perceived by their peers with the under confidence of some of the characters and the ability to be unapologetically themselves becoming slightly frustrating for someone who wishes they too stood up for themselves when they were younger.
First Girl I Loved isn't all about teen angst and the confusing ride of the ups and downs of friendships. We are given an insight into the world of Softball with subtitles coming up for the hand signals given between a coach and his players and the comic relief in the text messages between the two girls. In a technologically advanced world the mobile phone has really been a big hit providing Kerem Sanga with another medium for the characters to express emotions, one which the younger members of the audience will relate to quite readily.
This heart-rendering and complex film comes away with the universal message that nothing can be that bad, even in the face of everything falling apart, with a little bit of self-acceptance life can be a whole lot easier.
Anne, our protagonist, Cliff, the best-friend, and Sasha, the love interest, are like most high- schoolers in that they are confused about almost everything. We follow their stories through a mixture of flashbacks and flash forwards in an almost cyclic view as we see Anne coming to terms with her sexuality.
For those who attended school in any capacity, you will recall the confusion, the desire to fit in and the fear of judgment from peers whilst simultaneously attempting to understand ones likes and dislikes and to keep it all together with no less than a smile. Both Anne and Sasha comment on the pressure of how they are perceived by their peers with the under confidence of some of the characters and the ability to be unapologetically themselves becoming slightly frustrating for someone who wishes they too stood up for themselves when they were younger.
First Girl I Loved isn't all about teen angst and the confusing ride of the ups and downs of friendships. We are given an insight into the world of Softball with subtitles coming up for the hand signals given between a coach and his players and the comic relief in the text messages between the two girls. In a technologically advanced world the mobile phone has really been a big hit providing Kerem Sanga with another medium for the characters to express emotions, one which the younger members of the audience will relate to quite readily.
This heart-rendering and complex film comes away with the universal message that nothing can be that bad, even in the face of everything falling apart, with a little bit of self-acceptance life can be a whole lot easier.
The title is misleading
sweetchibiusagii15 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
At first, it was cute. A girl and a boy hanging out, be a best friends, a boy in love, a girl in love with popular girl in school. Kinda like normal movie or in real life but I was shocked how his friend raping her, and her "first girl she loved" forcing her to do things and acted straight after that.
There's a lot of missing points, like why his abuela has her own scene? They fought after her best friend raped her and school do nothing to help her? Why David got alot of screentime rather than main character? How Anne is so weak and always get advance of. David clearly doesn't help at all, he felt guilty and 'tried" to make their relationship back. Istg this is so weird movie.
There's a lot of missing points, like why his abuela has her own scene? They fought after her best friend raped her and school do nothing to help her? Why David got alot of screentime rather than main character? How Anne is so weak and always get advance of. David clearly doesn't help at all, he felt guilty and 'tried" to make their relationship back. Istg this is so weird movie.
It's all up to Perception.
khouston-2902618 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As far as lesbian movies go, this is one of the best I've seen, considering most are about sin or conversion therapy or just blatantly over-sexualized in a bad way. For the most part, I enjoyed this movie. The romantic scenes between Sasha and Anne when they were just getting to know each other were bittersweet while they lasted and left me dreaming for that teenage romance, awakening my inner hopeless romantic. The choice of how they developed their relationship was much more realistic than many modern romance movies in a refreshing way that drew me to root for the couple through the duration of the plot.
However, the character Clifton is where I stake my problems. His character is consistently confusing throughout the film and although I can see the direction the writers were trying to take with him, it came up flat and perplexing. At the beginning of the movie, the way we are led to believe he reacts to Anne's crush on Sasha sets him up to be the figurative villain of the movie, his motivation clearly laying in his love for Anne. As we delve further into the movie, the somewhat disturbing and unexpected reality of the event unfolds. We are shown, in a rather uncomfortable scene that I wish I had not laid eyes upon, that Clifton had sex with Anne but she then pushed him away and told him that Sasha was a girl. This pulled me out of the movie, considerably. Compared to the more realistic take the film had shown beforehand, this was a harsh contrast. As Anne, who we are lead to believe is a very brash and "just say it" kind of girl, is entirely submissive when he lays down his advances.
Anne's out of character reaction sort of shook up my viewing experience as a whole. I think the writers wanted to fuel some sort of motivation for 'revenge' and also reconciliation within Clifton. Having him have sex with her, and in his foolish mind, having him believe she was leading him on caused discourse in Sasha and Anne's relationship. However, we see that once he realises what he did wrong he has a change of face.
There are a few issues I have with this: One, Clifton's choice to ask Sasha out made a very little impact on the plot as ultimately it was Sasha's fear of being outed that drove a wedge in their relationship (resulting in her turning to go on a date with Clifton, that Anne never finds out about on screen. Even what he says to her during that date makes little to no impact on the story.).Two, after realising that he practically raped Anne, we see by the end of the film that he has clearly changed his ways in his own character development, but we don't actually see any of this development. He never apologises for his actions. I will, however, say that this wasn't entirely pointless, if not for this plotline Anne would never have hit Clifton and her mother would never have hit her and she wouldn't have ended up staying at Sasha's house.
There is one creative aspect I simply have to comment on before this review is finished. Throughout the film, the director took a very unique (or at least I think unique) approach to show us what was going on. We would see the beginning and end of a particular scene or moment and would be left to assume what had happened. This, at first, seems like a case of poor writing or simply laziness. Alas, as we continue through the timeline of the film we are shown bits of these scenes one by one until it fills in the missing gaps. Where I have seen a lot of movies show memories as we are seeing them the second or third time, this choice to reveal each event slowly kept me on my seat and engaged me in the movie universe. As my pessimism says, this was probably a device used to male sure viewers watched the whole way through, I like to ignore that and believe that this was the vision of the project. Creating a lust for not only a happy ending, but for every last morsel of information as it was revealed to us slowly when needed be.
Before I conclude I'd like to talk about the conclusion. The end of the movie is somewhat of a mystery for me. I still am not sure why they felt the need to incorporate that lady in the movie for that final scene where she gets a HIV test. Most of the conflict in the film itself was left entirely unresolved. We never know what happens to Sasha, if she ever admits to being a lesbian. We never know if Anne forgives Clifton, or if he even apologises. But, despite the slightly annoyed feeling we all get when the couple doesn't get together at the end of a film, I think that's okay.
That leads me to my last comment. I think that it's okay how they left it. Personally, I think the intent with this film wasn't to create a perfect love story or a dramatic and suspenseful experience, but rather to give a realistic and raw version of a Hollywood film. It definitely was not 100% successful, as I've brought up my grievances with the realism towards the middle of the story. But, First Girl I Loved told the story of normal people. It told the story where we don't get the happy ending, as it's namesake, it told the story of girls first love. Bittersweet and sad and happy and everything in between. Because, in the real world, Sasha isn't brave enough to come out to the world quite yet. In the real world, there isn't a happily ever after. And that's what I like about this movie. As much as it frustrates me, it also makes me happy. There it is, it really is all up to perception.
However, the character Clifton is where I stake my problems. His character is consistently confusing throughout the film and although I can see the direction the writers were trying to take with him, it came up flat and perplexing. At the beginning of the movie, the way we are led to believe he reacts to Anne's crush on Sasha sets him up to be the figurative villain of the movie, his motivation clearly laying in his love for Anne. As we delve further into the movie, the somewhat disturbing and unexpected reality of the event unfolds. We are shown, in a rather uncomfortable scene that I wish I had not laid eyes upon, that Clifton had sex with Anne but she then pushed him away and told him that Sasha was a girl. This pulled me out of the movie, considerably. Compared to the more realistic take the film had shown beforehand, this was a harsh contrast. As Anne, who we are lead to believe is a very brash and "just say it" kind of girl, is entirely submissive when he lays down his advances.
Anne's out of character reaction sort of shook up my viewing experience as a whole. I think the writers wanted to fuel some sort of motivation for 'revenge' and also reconciliation within Clifton. Having him have sex with her, and in his foolish mind, having him believe she was leading him on caused discourse in Sasha and Anne's relationship. However, we see that once he realises what he did wrong he has a change of face.
There are a few issues I have with this: One, Clifton's choice to ask Sasha out made a very little impact on the plot as ultimately it was Sasha's fear of being outed that drove a wedge in their relationship (resulting in her turning to go on a date with Clifton, that Anne never finds out about on screen. Even what he says to her during that date makes little to no impact on the story.).Two, after realising that he practically raped Anne, we see by the end of the film that he has clearly changed his ways in his own character development, but we don't actually see any of this development. He never apologises for his actions. I will, however, say that this wasn't entirely pointless, if not for this plotline Anne would never have hit Clifton and her mother would never have hit her and she wouldn't have ended up staying at Sasha's house.
There is one creative aspect I simply have to comment on before this review is finished. Throughout the film, the director took a very unique (or at least I think unique) approach to show us what was going on. We would see the beginning and end of a particular scene or moment and would be left to assume what had happened. This, at first, seems like a case of poor writing or simply laziness. Alas, as we continue through the timeline of the film we are shown bits of these scenes one by one until it fills in the missing gaps. Where I have seen a lot of movies show memories as we are seeing them the second or third time, this choice to reveal each event slowly kept me on my seat and engaged me in the movie universe. As my pessimism says, this was probably a device used to male sure viewers watched the whole way through, I like to ignore that and believe that this was the vision of the project. Creating a lust for not only a happy ending, but for every last morsel of information as it was revealed to us slowly when needed be.
Before I conclude I'd like to talk about the conclusion. The end of the movie is somewhat of a mystery for me. I still am not sure why they felt the need to incorporate that lady in the movie for that final scene where she gets a HIV test. Most of the conflict in the film itself was left entirely unresolved. We never know what happens to Sasha, if she ever admits to being a lesbian. We never know if Anne forgives Clifton, or if he even apologises. But, despite the slightly annoyed feeling we all get when the couple doesn't get together at the end of a film, I think that's okay.
That leads me to my last comment. I think that it's okay how they left it. Personally, I think the intent with this film wasn't to create a perfect love story or a dramatic and suspenseful experience, but rather to give a realistic and raw version of a Hollywood film. It definitely was not 100% successful, as I've brought up my grievances with the realism towards the middle of the story. But, First Girl I Loved told the story of normal people. It told the story where we don't get the happy ending, as it's namesake, it told the story of girls first love. Bittersweet and sad and happy and everything in between. Because, in the real world, Sasha isn't brave enough to come out to the world quite yet. In the real world, there isn't a happily ever after. And that's what I like about this movie. As much as it frustrates me, it also makes me happy. There it is, it really is all up to perception.
Disappointed
Sindi2528 December 2018
This movie had all the potential to be something really nice but it almost looks forced. The girl playing Anne looks perfect for it and it is the typical quirky girl but her acting is so cringy at parts if not all the movie. This movie is really messy and I wouldn't reccomend it. It has a nice vibe but that's it.
Do not waste your time and money about this.
aydinbekoglu17 February 2023
I watched a lot of movies. I am especially interested with a good lesbian movie. Although I am straight, I have many friends. The lead girl is pretty good on her role, the film was okayish but the final is so rushed, boring and -thanks to incompetent director- lame...
In real life, people suffer bad things, why give it again in a film packaged like romantic drama? Because the director is lazy, does not understand real emotions and therefore cannot lead the cast properly. The people in the community is brave, not like portrayed here. Because of the director and writers lack of any talent, this is really a wasted effort. Shame on you!
The picture quality and camera work is medium. Music is minimal, and gives the impression of minimalist films.
It is probably better save yourself time not watchng this. I would never watch it again.. I feel like my time was stolen...
In real life, people suffer bad things, why give it again in a film packaged like romantic drama? Because the director is lazy, does not understand real emotions and therefore cannot lead the cast properly. The people in the community is brave, not like portrayed here. Because of the director and writers lack of any talent, this is really a wasted effort. Shame on you!
The picture quality and camera work is medium. Music is minimal, and gives the impression of minimalist films.
It is probably better save yourself time not watchng this. I would never watch it again.. I feel like my time was stolen...
A must see film with a stellar cast and crew
astomps-pfeiffer26 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Today I woke up at 6:30am and made my way to the Library Theatre in Park City in near-zero degree weather to see a film I had been eager to see since arriving at Sundance Film Festival. The film, First Girl I Loved, was showing at 9:00am but due to a miscalculation in the bus schedule I ended up arriving at 7:30am and being the first person in line for the screening. This turned out to be fortunate for me because I got awesome seats to the best film I have seen in quite a while and it was preceded by the short Catching Up which set the tone for the film to come.
First Girl I Loved, written and directed by Karem Senga, tells the story of a Anne, a high school girl, who finds herself attracted to Sasha who is on the school's softball team. Anne uses her connections in the year book to get close to Sasha and the two become extremely close, taking their relationship beyond friendship. This upsets one of Anne's friends Clifton, who is in love with Anne and unable to cope with the fact that she is not sexually attracted to him. As Sasha and Anne's relationship progresses it becomes more complicated as Sasha pulls away fearing being stigmatized by her family and teammates for being a lesbian.
I was blown away by how well the film was written and produced, especially for a writer/director who was only making his third film. The cinematography was excellent and served as an important vehicle for portraying the emotions and ideas of characters. At the same time the editing was crucial for displaying the passage of time, which was done through parallel cutting between takes of cause and effect. For the first full length film I screened at Sundance, it completely surpassed my expectations. I would give this film a 10/10, but on top of that I would suggest that everybody take the time to watch this film because it has a positive message and is a perfect mix of comedy, drama, and is one of the most accurate depictions of high school relationships I have seen.
First Girl I Loved, written and directed by Karem Senga, tells the story of a Anne, a high school girl, who finds herself attracted to Sasha who is on the school's softball team. Anne uses her connections in the year book to get close to Sasha and the two become extremely close, taking their relationship beyond friendship. This upsets one of Anne's friends Clifton, who is in love with Anne and unable to cope with the fact that she is not sexually attracted to him. As Sasha and Anne's relationship progresses it becomes more complicated as Sasha pulls away fearing being stigmatized by her family and teammates for being a lesbian.
I was blown away by how well the film was written and produced, especially for a writer/director who was only making his third film. The cinematography was excellent and served as an important vehicle for portraying the emotions and ideas of characters. At the same time the editing was crucial for displaying the passage of time, which was done through parallel cutting between takes of cause and effect. For the first full length film I screened at Sundance, it completely surpassed my expectations. I would give this film a 10/10, but on top of that I would suggest that everybody take the time to watch this film because it has a positive message and is a perfect mix of comedy, drama, and is one of the most accurate depictions of high school relationships I have seen.
A Film that loses it's way in it's last third.
scheevers-502007 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I admire it more then like this 2016 film from director Kerem Sanga.
Performances from Brianna Hildebrand and Dylan Gelula were good. The first part of the film dealing with Anne's romance with popular student Sasha was film's strongest part. Then it just proceeds to get darker and more downbeat as the film goes on especially anything to do with Clifton, Anne's ex best friend turned sex crazed Jealous bully. The third act completely lost me as it just got way too dark. The end wasn't the best.
The worst thing is every character is really dislikeable in the end including Anne, who outs Sasha cause of a jealous rage. Clifton turns into a sexual abuser and Sasha just turns into a cold hearted so and so.
I think if Sanga probably made Anne a bit more likeable I think the ending would have landed better. But by the time Anne cycles off on her new bike, I just didn't cate really.
I can totally understand why this film has a low rating as going by the poster and title of the film, you'd be expecting a lovely coming of age love story about two girls but it's nowhere near close to that. It's a pretty downbeat dark tale of teenage life. A different title and poster and if the people promoting the film did a better cut of the trailer, I think this film might have done better.
Performances from Brianna Hildebrand and Dylan Gelula were good. The first part of the film dealing with Anne's romance with popular student Sasha was film's strongest part. Then it just proceeds to get darker and more downbeat as the film goes on especially anything to do with Clifton, Anne's ex best friend turned sex crazed Jealous bully. The third act completely lost me as it just got way too dark. The end wasn't the best.
The worst thing is every character is really dislikeable in the end including Anne, who outs Sasha cause of a jealous rage. Clifton turns into a sexual abuser and Sasha just turns into a cold hearted so and so.
I think if Sanga probably made Anne a bit more likeable I think the ending would have landed better. But by the time Anne cycles off on her new bike, I just didn't cate really.
I can totally understand why this film has a low rating as going by the poster and title of the film, you'd be expecting a lovely coming of age love story about two girls but it's nowhere near close to that. It's a pretty downbeat dark tale of teenage life. A different title and poster and if the people promoting the film did a better cut of the trailer, I think this film might have done better.
Adorable
gsap-7975531 December 2020
One of my favorite LGBTQ+ Movies
MrsPond31 December 2018
I think it's great.
momabbdg2 November 2020
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
