First Love (2022)
Discover the struggles of a middle-class American family during the 2008 financial collapse in this heartfelt drama. Explore love, loss, and economic hardship.
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| Original Title | 初次爱你 |
|---|---|
| Formats | Streaming |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Duration | 45 mins |
| Status | Ended |
| Year | 2022 |
| First Air Date | December 12, 2022 |
| Last Air Date | December 21, 2022 |
| Broadcast Day | monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday |
| Network | iQiyi |
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Synopsis
Lu Wanwan is a sophomore student in the Clinical Department of Tsingyao University School of Medicine. After getting drunk she got into a scandal with Ren Chu, a bright student of the same school. To curb the raging scandal, the two agreed to a strategy to eliminate the gossips. In the process they discover each other's shining points and gradually developed a good impression of each other. With the help and guidance of Ren Chu, Lu Wanwan overcame her timid personality, and strived to become a qualified medical student. Unconsciously, the two influenced each other and became their better selves.
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Editor's Review
A Tale of Economic Struggles and Unremarkable Romance
“First Love” is an earnest but unremarkable romance wrapped around an intelligent and sometimes powerful story of the destruction that capitalism inflicts on middle-class American families. Written and directed by A.J. Edwards, a protege of visionary spiritualist Terrence Malick, the film delves into the aftermath of the financial collapse of late 2008 during George Bush’s second term. Set against this backdrop, it follows the Albright family as they grapple with drastically reduced economic prospects.
The Albrights face the harsh reality of unemployment and financial strain. Glenn, the father, gets laid off from the financial sector and struggles to accept that he may never regain the prominence of his previous job. His wife, Kay, offers to take a second job, but her husband’s pride becomes a barrier. The film portrays their tight situation with dialogue that, while sometimes oversimplified, avoids genre-based metaphors often seen in other works dealing with the financial collapse. When Kay seeks a loan, the bank officer’s question—“Is your husband sick? Why isn’t he working?”—highlights the family’s struggle. Friends and family abandon them, leaving the Albrights isolated in their distress.
However, the film’s central focus shifts unexpectedly. More than half of its running time centers on a vanilla romance between Glenn and Kay’s teenage son, Jim, and his classmate, Ann. Unfortunately, this subplot lacks substance and complexity. The beats are familiar: the dreamy montages, the obligatory breakup midway through, and the lack of evident depth in either character. While the film attempts to evoke Malick’s style, it falls short, resulting in a less engaging experience. The young couple’s story lacks the mysterious magic found in Malick’s “The New World” or “To the Wonder”.
Despite its shortcomings, “First Love” does offer glimpses of authenticity. It’s refreshing to see an American feature film directly addressing the financial collapse without relying on metaphors. The film’s portrayal of economic struggle and family dynamics resonates, even if the romance subplot feels underdeveloped. Ultimately, “First Love” serves as a reminder of the toll capitalism takes on ordinary lives, leaving viewers with a mix of earnestness and missed opportunities.
In summary, “First Love” balances its heart-warming moments with long-winded storytelling. While it may not be groundbreaking, it still manages to capture the struggles faced by middle-class families during challenging times. Fate, love, and economic hardship intersect in this sometimes lovely, sometimes frustrating drama.