The First TimeMovie Reviews

So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 55 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 Iffy for 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 83
    The A.V. Club | Noel Murray

    In the first 15 minutes, viewers may be rolling their eyes at these kids; by the end, they might be eager to re-watch that opening scene, to get to know them all over again. Read full review

  • 80
    Village Voice | Michael Atkinson

    Something of a wonder, a palm-size ball of banter and irony and earnestness that never stops rolling and almost never misses the sweet spots. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | Neil Genzlinger

    Sure, you've seen this story before, but this version has a freshness nonetheless. Read full review

  • 60
    Los Angeles Times |

    There is much to like here, a sense of nuance and nonjudgmental emotional openness, yet Kasdan's teenage miniaturism never quite blooms. The First Time is respectfully delicate, a little too polite. Read full review

  • 50
    New York Post | Sara Stewart

    An inoffensive but bland ode to the talky high school movies of John Hughes and Cameron Crowe. Read full review

  • 50
    Arizona Republic | Bill Goodykoontz

    The First Time sets out to be the thinking kids' teen sex comedy but misses the mark by failing its characters. [18 Oct 2012] Read full review

  • 50
    The Hollywood Reporter | Todd McCarthy

    Feels slight and pretty ordinary by the end, with no edge or compelling insights, just a reasonable feel for teen attitudes and banter. Read full review

  • 40
    Variety | Dennis Harvey

    This teen romance proves perilously short on substance, insight and novelty, unless you count its characters being afflicted with a case of "Juno" mouth. Read full review

  • 38
    Slant Magazine | Nick Schager

    Sex and love are both novel experiences for two high schoolers in this talky affair that suggests a hybrid of Before Sunset and Some Kind of Wonderful. Read full review

  • 20
    Time Out New York | Joshua Rothkopf

    Let your mind wander during this painfully generic teen-sex dramedy (trust us, it will), and there might be emotions worse than frustration in store. Read full review

View more reviews for The First Time on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 13+ Frank-but-approachable romcom about teens and sex.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that romantic comedy The First Time offers a frank look at teenage sex and how teens decide to become sexually active -- as well as the importance of having a meaningful relationship with honest communication. Expect open conversations about sex, virginity, and condom use; some heavy making out; an implied post-sex scene of teens in bed together; and topless teen girls covering their breasts with their hands while running out of a party (where underage drinking is taking place). There's also some swearing (one "f--k," plus "bitch" and "s--t") and a car crash.
  • Families can talk about how The First Time portrays sex and its role in teen relationships. How does it compare to other movies about teen sex? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values on this topic.
  • What do you think about the way Dave and Aubrey approach the subject of sex, especially since they just met? Is it realistic?  
  • Do you consider the characters role models? Are they intended to be?
The good stuff
  • message true2 Positive messages: Finding a meaningful relationship while you're a teenager can be very difficult in a world where your peers are all cloaking their real selves so they don't get hurt. But it's worth it, because a true relationship demands the willingness to be vulnerable. Also, the movie posits that sex isn't a subject that should go unspoken in a relationship -- it says that clear and honest communication is essential.
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: The two main characters manage to speak to each other openly and with respect, something that teens who don't want to stick their necks out too far might find themselves having difficulty emulating. Teens discuss sex responsibly, and the subject is dealt with sensitively.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: A teen jumps off a roof and, miraculously, is unhurt. A car crash is shown, with bloody aftermath.
  • sex false3 Sexy stuff: In one scene, teen girls run out of a party topless, covering their breasts with their hands. And lots of talk about sex. A teenage couple discusses having sex for the first time in detail; they make out heavily and proceed to try to have sex, and they bring up the need for condoms. Teens are shown under the covers, presumably post-coital.
  • language false4 Language: Language includes one use of "f--k," plus "s--t," "d--k," "bitch," "stupid," "ass," "screw," and more.
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: Labels/brands seen include Facebook, Twitter, De Beers, iPhone, Chevrolet, and more.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Teens are shown rushing out of a house party where underage drinking is taking place, though not much drinking is shown on-screen.
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The First Time Movie Reviews + Ratings

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