Watch August The First

August The First is a coming-of-age drama set in a Mexican-American family in Texas. The movie begins with a Mexican family getting ready to celebrate their fathers' birthday on August 1st, which also falls on the day of an important long-awaited soccer game. Adrian (Ian Alsup), the oldest son in the family, returns home to Texas from his college in New York for his father's birthday.

The story unravels where Adrian reconnects with his family, including his sister (played by Kerisse Hutchinson) and brother-in-law (Dennis Rubin Green). The movie shows the family dynamics and tensions that exist within the family, especially between Adrian and his father. Amidst these tensions, the family prepares for both the soccer game and the father's birthday celebration.

The directorial debut of Lanre Olabisi, August The First is an intimate portrayal of the complex relationships between family members. The movie questions identity, heritage, and the expectations that come along with them. Adrian is struggling with his identity as a Mexican-American, leaving his family and home behind to attend college in New York. This is not a problem for Adrian, but his father sees his actions and choices as an abandonment of his roots and culture.

Throughout the movie, Adrian is trying to find peace with his family and heritage, while understanding the connection he had with his father. Meanwhile, his sister, who aspires to be a singer, is dealing with her partner's unhappiness with her career choice. These stories show how the family has to deal with their individual aspirations and dreams, while trying to keep their familial bond together.

The movie also explores themes of gender and sexuality as Adrian's sister has a surprise confession that threatens to shake up the family dynamics. Adrian's sexuality is also portrayed subtly throughout the movie, highlighting the stigma of LGBTQ+ in the Mexican-American community.

The cinematography of the movie is breathtaking, with incredible attention to detail in capturing the Texan environments, including the countryside and cityscapes. The movie depicts the hot and humid weather of Texas as the family prepares to celebrate the August heat.

The pacing of the movie is slow and steady, allowing the audience to empathize with the family's tensions and conflicts. The powerful performances from the cast members contribute to the authenticity of the story. Ian Alsup, who plays Adrian, delivers a fantastic performance as he tries to reconcile the distance that his father and he have grown over the years.

Overall, August The First is a beautiful depiction of family, heritage, culture, and identity, with a focus on the Mexican-American experience. The movie is not only important to the larger discussion about cultural representation in cinema but is also a great story with characters that audiences can relate to. It was a beautiful debut for Lanre Olabisi and the cast that will keep you engaged until the very end.

August The First is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.