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The First Time

Name: The First Time
Director: Charlie Loventhal
Released: 1983
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

3.5/10

Limited

1983

Director

Charlie Loventhal

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The First Time is a genre-specific exploration of sexual maturation that remains largely tied to the demographic frameworks of its 1983 production era. While it avoids some studio-driven moralities, it lacks significant multi-layered depth. The film's primary strength lies in its subversion of traditional gender hierarchies. By placing a shy male protagonist in a female-dominated college, the narrative shifts the social and sexual dynamics toward the women. However, the film struggles with representation in other key areas. It lacks visible racial diversity and provides no evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or disability representation, making it a product of its specific era.

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Category Breakdown

Does The First Time have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film follows a traditional coming-of-age story centered around a male protagonist’s sexual awakening. It does not include non-cisgender identities or challenge the assumption that everyone is straight.

How does The First Time portray gender?

Fair

Set in a predominantly female college, the film disrupts traditional male-dominated academic structures. An older woman/younger man relationship shifts the balance of romantic influence to the female characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The First Time?

Limited

The film reflects the demographic uniformity typical of early 1980s American comedies. There is no indication of a diverse or non-white majority cast.

How does The First Time represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative explores academic eccentricity through a bizarre film professor. It critiques institutional stability but lacks broader systemic or anti-capitalist critiques.

Does The First Time include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no documented evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Shifts traditional gender hierarchies by focusing the story in a female-dominated college environment.
Challenges traditional age-based gender norms through an older woman and younger man relationship.
Departs from rigid, studio-driven moral frameworks with its independent, psychotronic style.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible racial and ethnic diversity within the cast.
Provides no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters.
Contains no documented inclusion of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A young film student pursues a woman while studying under a bizarre, eccentric film professor.

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