Firstborn

I love that a lot of the blu ray studios are putting out films that have been long forgotten. Olive Films is doing a terrific job of this, especially with 80's titles. Last night, I had the opportunity to revisit one of these, 1984's Firstborn.

Christopher Collett and Corey Haim play teenage brothers who are having a hard time adjusting to their parents divorce. The boys live with their mother, Terri Garr, who herself is having a rough time adjusting to single life. To make matters worse, her ex has just announced that he is getting remarried. Feeling insecure and over the hill, Garr takes up with ne'er do well deadbeat, Peter Weller, that the boys can see through instantly. At first they put up with him for their mom's happiness. But when she lets the loser move in, things take an ugly turn.

I remember this being a pretty powerful film when it was first released. Now, the beginning of it feels like an after school special. But when Weller enters the picture, it does take a dark, effective turn. I've always thought that Weller was a terrific actor. Here's a guy who has played Robocop, Buckaroo Banzai, and William S. Burroughs. And with his role in Firstborn, Weller proved that he could play a sleazy and scary scumbag. For being such a low key actor, Weller has always shown a lot of range. Tom Berenger was actually the filmmakers first choice, but I'm glad they went with Weller. Garr is also terrific. Her character makes all of these horrible decisions, but her performance makes you feel sympathy towards the character, even though you want to slap some sense into at the same time.

Both Collett and Haim are great. Collett looked like he was destined to be a bigger star with this performance and his other starring role in The Manhattan Project, but he seemed to disappear just as quickly as he emerged on screen. It's a shame because he was a very talented actor. Kind of an 80's answer to Jesse Eisenberg. And I always forget what a great actor Haim was post 90's. It's a shame he didn't keep that train on the tracks before it was derailed by drugs and too many bad buddy pics with Corey Feldman. Haim stated that on the first day of shooting, he complimented Weller after a take. A still in character Weller shoved Haim against the wall and told him not to speak to him. Haim said he was terrified of him after this and kept his distance. Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey, Jr. also pop up in supporting roles.

Firstborn is a powerful melodrama with some terrific performances that keep it from feeling too much like a tv movie of the week.

It's available on dvd and blu ray.