If You've Seen Variations Before, Is It Still "The First Time" ?

The First Time (2012)

Rated PG-13 for language and situations

Starring Britt Robertson, Dylan O'Brien, Victoria Justice, James Frecheville

Written and Directed by Jon Kasdan

The Story:

 Dave (O'Brien) has been pining away for Jane (Justice) but she thinks of him as just a great friend. One night at a party, he meets Aubrey (Robertson) a girl from another school and the two begin chatting away and getting along famously.  It turns out that Aubrey is planning on having her first time with her boyfriend Ronny (Frecheville).  However, Dave and Aubrey have such magical chemistry, maybe, just maybe, some relationships are about to change.

What a great little comedy.

Part romantic comedy, part coming of age film, part high school film...

You get the idea.

However, it's all the good parts.

Excellent storyline and dialogue in this film thanks to Kasdan who follows very well into his father's footsteps.

The dialogue is believable and not too kiddish...not too adultish.  Believable, and fun(ny).

The relationship between Dave and Aubrey is believable and not too rushed.

You root for them as the story progresses, even as Dave gets some less than ideal advice which adds the dramatic tension in the relationship that keeps everything from going smoothly.

Amazingly, with the PG-13 rating, Kasdan also avoids making a film about coming of age/first romance that really shouldn't be seen by the target audience.

And no, technically I'm not the target audience, but I have kids that are, and this one can join the list of those 80s movies that showed how relationships work (or don't) in high school that are enjoyable to watch, and fun to revisit.

Final Grade: Going with a B+... this was a nice surprise.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'd have no problem buying it or watching it again in the future when it goes streaming/comes to cable.