First Girl I Loved

First Girl I Loved is a 2016 American romantic drama film that tackles the complexities of teenage love, self-identity, and acceptance. Directed by Kerem Sanga, this movie features a cast of young talents, including Dylan Gelula, who gives an extraordinary performance in the lead role as Anne, Brianna Hildebrand playing Sasha, and Mateo Arias playing Clifton. This film skilfully uses the canvas of a high school setting to depict a rollercoaster of emotions that encapsulate the challenges and conflicts of adolescence.

Anne, the protagonist of the film (played by Gelula), is an introverted high school senior who spends most of her time working on the yearbook or hanging out with her best friend, Clifton (Played by Arias). She lives a dispiriting, mundane life until she encounters the school’s star softball player Sasha (played by Hildebrand). This is where the film shines as it illustrates the rush and the gravity of what it feels like for Anne, as she realizes that she's falling in love with Sasha.

The story starts on a straightforward note, but therein lies the brilliance of this film which is a poignant observation of first loves, especially those involving same-sex attraction. Right from Anne first laying eyes on Sasha at a school softball game, the film is less about the novelty of two girls falling in love, but about the intense and profoundly transformative emotion of first love itself. The movie becomes a complex and beautifully nuanced observation of teenage romance, friendships, sexual identity, and acceptance.

Anne's journey evolves as she grapples with understanding her feelings, in not only figuring herself out but also coming to terms with what her feelings for Sasha actually mean. Her interactions with Clifton, her best friend who also harbors unrequited feelings for her, further adds complexity to the narrative.

The seamless portrayal by Dylan Gelula truly encapsulates the tumultuous yet delicate emotions of a teen dealing with self-discovery. Meanwhile, Brianna Hildebrand brilliantly embodies the confusion and vulnerability of Sasha, being the object of this unexpected attraction. And Mateo Arias provides an earnest performance as Clifton, trapped in his feelings for Anne, building a triangle of relationships that is both compelling and heart-wrenching.

The film takes a truthful, raw, and intimate approach to its storytelling. It deals delicately with the themes of confusion, fear, and exhilaration of adolescence and first love. Also, it captures the tempestuous narrative of a lesbian teenager coming to terms with her sexual orientation in an unaccepting environment, highlighting the broader context of societal perspectives and biases. Furthermore, the film shows the struggles of unrequited love and the strain it puts on friendships, painting a realistic and emotionally charged picture.

The screenplay is enhanced by the film’s impressive cinematography, as it uses a lot of tight close-ups to help us get into the heads of these teenagers, emphasizing their emotions rather than words. The dreamy, soft focus, and subtle colors not only beautifully capture the essence of southern California, it also seems to metaphorically capture the hormonal haze these characters navigate.

The director Kerem Sanga truly excels in his task of weaving a complex, bittersweet tapestry of teenage emotions. The story is a microcosm of every growing up story, only nuanced with the profound, unspoken struggles of same-sex attraction in an unaccepting society. The sense of realism brought to the narrative through the captivating performances by the cast adds another layer of depth to the film.

First Girl I Loved truly offers a unique perspective on teenage love, difficulties of coming of age, and the complexities of identity. While the film dives headfirst into the turbulent waters of adolescent infatuation, it also provides a powerful exploration of self-acceptance, creating an authentic and moving experience. It is a must-watch for those who appreciate nuanced character study and an insightful narrative. This film is a riveting exploration of adolescence, making it a compelling narrative on young love.