First Love Movie Review : Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s film is just an average watch

Story: The story follows Jim’s emotional journey through his first romance with Ann as they navigate the uncertainties of college, while his parents struggle to cope with a financial crisis.

Review: Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, First Love depicts the Albright family as they struggle with both emotional and financial upheavals. Glenn (Jeffrey Donovan), laid off from his high-status job, wrestles with feelings of inadequacy, while his wife, Kay (Diane Kruger), considers taking a second job, only to be met with resistance from Glenn’s fragile pride. Their son, Casey (Chris Galust), joins the Navy, while the younger son, Jim (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), navigates the excitement and uncertainty of first love with Ann (Sydney Park). Unfortunately, much of the film’s focus is on this romance, which overshadows the deeper, more poignant family drama that could have been explored.

Writer-director A.J. Edwards offers a glimpse into the economic hardship caused by the financial collapse, but the dialogue often feels oversimplified and fails to fully capture the weight of the situation. Moments like Kay's failed attempt to secure a bank loan heighten the tension, but these are fleeting, as the film repeatedly shifts back to Jim and Ann’s rather bland romance. While Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Sydney Park do well individually, their lack of onscreen chemistry and the film’s reliance on predictable, formulaic romantic beats make their storyline feel flat and uninspired. Dreamy montages and lyrical sequences, intended to add emotional depth, only end up feeling repetitive.

The film’s greatest shortcoming is how it sidelines the much more compelling struggles of Glenn and Kay. Their story, which touches on themes of pride, marital strain, and financial desperation, holds far more potential than the tepid teenage romance that dominates the narrative. Both Diane Kruger and Jeffrey Donovan give nuanced performances, especially in their more intimate, emotionally charged moments, but they are not given enough screen time to fully develop these arcs.

Visually, First Love benefits from Jeff Bierman’s cinematography, which adds a layer of texture to the otherwise underwhelming narrative. Supporting performances, particularly from Diane Venora as Kay’s bitter aunt, offer moments of emotional depth. However, the film’s lack of focus on its socio-economic themes and overreliance on a lackluster romance ultimately leave First Love feeling unsatisfying. It’s a watchable film, but one that doesn’t live up to the promise of its premise.