(1984)
2.5
Brian J. Dillard
Although it works fairly well as a straight drama about the emotional fallout of divorce, Firstborn proves far more enjoyable when viewed as a campy relic of cautionary '80s hand-wringing about broken families. Fresh off the success of Tootsie and Mr. Mom, Teri Garr once again scrambles gender roles in the non-comedic role of an insecure single mother going through her second adolescence. Whether sleepwalking through her parenting duties or blowing rails off a coffee table during a swingers' party, Garr brings just the right sense of unempowered bafflement to the part. Future Lost Boys and License to Drive star Corey Haim gets relegated mostly to damaged moppet mode, but teen idol also-ran Christopher Collet makes the most of his blue-eyed soulfulness and slightly androgynous good looks. Whether hanging with his forcefully sassy girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker), getting in touch with his masculinity on a brand-new dirt bike, or standing up passionately to a blowhard teacher, this kid's got "virile yet sensitive new-age guy" written all over him. As for Peter Weller, those angular cheekbones and hooded eyes just scream "seductive yet violent druggie" from the moment he appears. With suspense about his character's true intentions rendered moot by the actor's sinister brooding, the audience can just sit back and wait for the inevitable retribution reel -- and lay odds on whether that dirt bike will be involved.
Firstborn on AllMovie
Firstborn (1984)
