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Mar 30, 2018 · “First Match” is a tough film with a tender streak for its protagonist and her struggles. Emanuelle’s performance carries the film past its episodic feel and into a sense of a young woman at the crossroads of her life.
First Match. Watch First Match with a subscription on Netflix. Hardened by years in foster care, a teenage girl from Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood decides that joining the all-boys...
- (20)
- Elvire Emanuelle
- Olivia Newman
- Drama
Compelling teen drama has violence and language. Read Common Sense Media's First Match review, age rating, and parents guide.
- Olivia Newman
- Renee Schonfeld
- Netflix
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Apr 5, 2018 · A teenager in still-ungentrified Brooklyn finds an unlikely way of connecting to her ex-con father in Olivia Newman’s First Match: Having learned her dad’s wrestling moves as a kid, she ...
- THR Staff
Mar 30, 2018 · Written and directed by first-timer Olivia Newman, this Netflix coming-of-age melodrama is dogged by a faint but lingering whiff of poverty porn.
- An emotional ride with a soul.
- First Match Images
- Verdict
By Kenneth Seward Jr.
Updated: Mar 29, 2018 8:12 pm
Posted: Mar 29, 2018 8:05 pm
First Match begins streaming on Netflix on March 30.
A coming of age story. That’s what I would liken First Match to. Monique, a troubled teen who spends years in foster care, turns to wrestling as a way of getting close to her father. The premise is familiar, if only by the idea that a sport is used to overcome some form of adversity. A 2018 Karate Kid if you will. That said, I would be remiss to leave my description at such a basic level…
The film opens with Monique’s clothes being tossed out of an apartment window. Accused of sleeping with her caretaker’s boyfriend, she’s being ousted in front of random bystanders. Bouncing from one foster home to another is nothing new though; after exchanging some choice words, Monique grabs what she can before departing in contempt. From here we witness a series of scenes that paint her current reality. Bad choices, a begrudged reunion, and a serious attitude problem. And that’s all before she bumps into her estranged father. Darrel, fresh out of jail, is working a part time gig in Brooklyn. It’s only by happenstance that he sees Monique. Their awkward meeting informs the viewer of a few facts. Namely that he doesn’t want to be a part of her life anymore and that Mo is desperate for her father.
I’m obviously being vague here. The last thing I’d want to do is spoil how the events of First Match unfold. What I will say is that it is not as predictable you’d think. For instance, the wrestling is always secondary. Though is an important part of the story, it never becomes the thing to see. There’s no showdown with a rival or a real love interest. We barely even get the typical training montage. It’s all centered on how Mo maneuvers through the crazy. The result is an expertly paced drama, allowing each meaningful embrace or explosive exchange to be as impactful as possible. Writer and director Olivia Newman, does not waste a single second of screen time on anything even remotely trivial.
Everything happens for a reason. Stuff that doesn’t seem relevant for much of the film comes back in a significant way. Even the infrequently integrated soundtrack has meaning; the old school hip hop is tied to Monique on a personal level. Speaking of Mo, Elvire Emanuelle breathes life into this character. Her struggle to appease Darrel while she literally, wrestles with life is captivating thanks to Emanuelle’s amazing performance. She’s believable in every sense of the word. I was nervous right before her first wrestling match. Angry at her for making poor choices. Heartbroken when she is pushed to the edge. And elated when she finally starts moving in the right direction. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s portrayal of Darrel is just as sincere. By providing some nuance, he was able to make this bad father relatable. Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight) is another standout as Mo’s best friend Omari. Really, the entire cast portrayed their respective characters admirably.
At its worst, First Match is a gripping drama centered on the relationship between a teen and her estranged father. At its best, it’s an emotional ride with a soul. Its inevitable praise is a testament to the powerful performances therein.
Mar 13, 2018 · ‘First Match’ Review: A Gripping Coming-of-Age Drama About a Girl Wrestling Her Way Out of the Projects — SXSW. A breakout performance from Elvire Emanuelle anchors a strong coming-of-age story...
