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First Born is a 2007 drama film directed by Isaac Webb, starring Elisabeth Shue, Steven Mackintosh, and Kathleen Chalfant. The movie revolves around the complexities of family relationships, the impact of a new baby, and the pressure that it brings to an already stressed-out marriage. The story of First Born follows Laura (Elisabeth Shue) and her partner Joe (Steven Mackintosh), an artist, who struggles with the responsibilities of becoming a father to their newborn son Sam. Laura is a successful author and a control-freak who is struggling to cope with the demands of both her work and the new motherhood. Meanwhile, Sam's birth has brought changes to their relationship, and they are struggling to reconnect amidst the chaos of parenting.

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the couple is struggling to come to terms with their respective roles, and their lack of communication fuels their issues. Joe is a free-spirited, creative individual who is committed to his craft, but Laura's expectations from him have increased, and there is little room for him to pursue his interests. Laura's focus on her career and the baby has left Joe feeling neglected and unappreciated.

As the pressure mounts, Joe starts to distance himself from the family and finds solace in the company of a new friend, a young artist named Ava (Antonia Thomas). Ava provides him with an escape from the monotony of his family life, and the two engage in a flirtatious relationship.

As Joe's relationship with Ava grows, Laura becomes increasingly resentful and jealous, which only further strains their already fragile relationship. In the meantime, Joe's distant behavior makes Laura feel unloved and alone, and she becomes increasingly isolated, leading to a downward spiral of depression.

Through the course of the film, various themes are explored, including the complexities of motherhood, the pressures of marriage and family, and the search for identity and self-fulfillment. The filmmakers explore how having a baby can impact a relationship, both emotionally and physically, and how it can lead to new responsibilities, expectations, and demands.

The performances of the actors in the film are excellent. Elisabeth Shue does an excellent job portraying Laura and brings to life the character's fear, insecurity, and desperation. Steven Mackintosh performs admirably as Joe, giving depth to his character and bringing to life his inner turmoil and pain.

The direction of Isaac Webb is nuanced and measured, and the cinematography is excellent, with the film's realistic portrayal of family life adding to its gritty realism. Overall, First Born is a well-acted, emotionally intense film that explores the challenges of modern-day parenthood with honesty and compassion.

In conclusion, First Born is a poignant, thought-provoking character study that delves into the complexities of relationships, parenthood, and identity. The film is beautifully directed, acted, and shot, and has a raw, honest feel to it that adds to its emotional intensity. For anyone interested in character-driven dramas that explore the human condition, First Born is definitely worth a watch.

First Born is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.