Firstborn (1984 film)

1984 film by Michael Apted
  • Teri Garr
  • Peter Weller
  • Christopher Collet
CinematographyRalf D. BodeEdited byArthur SchmidtMusic byMichael SmallDistributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • October 26, 1984 (1984-10-26)
Running time
100 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget$8 million[1]Box office$6.3 million

Firstborn (titled Moving In in Europe) is a 1984 American drama film starring Teri Garr, Peter Weller, Corey Haim (in his film debut), Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Downey Jr., and Christopher Collet. It was filmed in New Jersey and New York State. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 31, 2012.

Plot summary

Sixteen-year-old Jake Livingston has been the man of the Livingston home since his parents divorced two years earlier, that is, until his mother Wendy started seeing Sam. Sam, an alcoholic and drug addict, introduces Jake's mother to a self-destructive lifestyle.

Wendy cannot see beyond Sam's charms or her own emotional needs, and Jake's younger brother Brian succumbs to Sam's ingratiating manner. Jake resents Sam's constant presence in the household, however, especially when Sam begins to establish rules and discipline for the boys and expects them to obey.

Jake becomes aware of a drug deal of Sam's. He steals the drugs and hides them. Sam becomes verbally then physically violent with Jake, demanding the drugs be returned. Seeing this behavior, Wendy finally realizes that Jake was only protecting her and Brian, so she demands Sam leave. Sam starts beating Jake, then tries to beat Wendy. Jake stands up to Sam and demands that he leave, threatening to kill him if he ever comes back. Sam then leaves as the family holds each other. Wendy apologizes and thanks Jake for saving the family's lives.

Cast

Reception

Firstborn received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 36% from 14 reviews.[2]

Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times gave the film two stars out of a possible four. He wrote how First Born started with promise due to good performances and realistic dialogue, but after the climax as a fight scene and chase sequences he "felt cheated" at the film's change in tone and failure to seriously deal with the premise.[3]

References

  1. ^ "AFI|Catalog".
  2. ^ "Firstborn". Rotten Tomatoes.
  3. ^ https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/firstborn-1984

External links

  • v
  • t
  • e
Works directed by Michael Apted
Feature films
  • The Triple Echo (1972)
  • Stardust (1974)
  • Trick or Treat (unfinished film) (1975)
  • The Squeeze (1977)
  • Agatha (1979)
  • Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)
  • Continental Divide (1981)
  • Gorky Park (1983)
  • Firstborn (1984)
  • Critical Condition (1987)
  • Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
  • Class Action (1991)
  • Thunderheart (1992)
  • Blink (1993)
  • Nell (1994)
  • Extreme Measures (1996)
  • The World Is Not Enough (1999)
  • Enigma (2001)
  • Enough (2002)
  • Amazing Grace (2006)
  • The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
  • Chasing Mavericks (2012)
  • Unlocked (2017)
Documentary films
Television
Documentaries