First Girl I Loved * * * *

Anne (and this film) both deserve a lover who is right for them

Sometimes I wonder, how can  I be moved by a drama on teen love. I mean teenagers…. Come on!  Yet I have to admit some of the best dramas I have seen are precisely on this subject.  

       But I guess we should remember that one of the most popular of Shakespeare's plays is about a couple of teenagers in love, and no one knocks that drama because of it’s subject matter.

    Anne, is smitten by Sasha. a girl from the school softball team.  Intimidated by the object of her desire she approaches her by asking if she can visit and interview her for the School Year Book.  Their time together goes well. There is a mutual liking and Anne is elated over what might be.

      Anne’s best friend is Clifton.  They’ve always had a lovely friendship where sex and romance hasn’t played a part.  Just really good friends.   But Clifton’s reaction to Anne announcing that she might have fallen in love with someone is not well received.  In fear of losing her he physically presses himself upon her.  It’s a confusing messy clumsy encounter which destroys their friendship.
Anne and Sasha grow closer and one night start sexting each other.
      After another argument with her Mum, Anne asks Sasha if she can sleep at her place. They sneak out at night, they drink, they  tease boys by kissing and flirting with each other.  They return to Sasha's place and tumble into bed. Anne is ecstatic.

      But later questions are asked.  

      Did you mean it?

      Did I do something just to please you, even though I didn't want to?

       Have you taken advantage of me - or worse - have I pressed myself upon someone against their will? ....and how the heck did that picture of Anne and Sasha kissing get into the year book?

       As they are teenagers adults become involved - and they're’ not much help.

      The story is told in flash forward and flash back.  Often we are watching a scene that leaves us desperately curious as to what has created a situation and why they are talking to each other in a certain way, only to have us enlightened by a flashback to show us what did happen.

      The conveyance of feelings is often told from a subjective POV - especially in the way that Sasha and Anne might look at each other, and we see them through their eyes.

      Unlike some teenage or coming of age films these young people  are not cashed-up, mature or wise beyond their years.

      What could just as easily have been shot as a high school romp is turned into a very moving, intelligent, and  satisfying drama of a young woman coming to grips with her sexuality.
 It’s a shame to see it tucked away. It’s being shown at one Art House cinema. There were half a dozen "mature" folk watching it with me. I’d love to see it at the multiplexes  and exposed to the mall teenagers.  I reckon they’d be good for each other.