Alejandro Quintana stars as Eduardo, an 18-year-old student who travels to Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city, to sit a university entrance exam. Dressed in a sensible button-up shirt, he is constantly contacted by his mother, whose harsh tone hints at underlying tensions, possibly around his sexuality.
From Exam Hall to Night of Discovery
After the exam, Eduardo meets Mario, a Caravaggio-esque beauty who invites him home. Upon arrival, Eduardo discovers Mario's family is throwing him a birthday party, which only briefly interrupts their intended hookup, as Mario is fully accepted at home.
The film, directed by an unnamed filmmaker, is a slight but joyful coming-of-age drama that never threatens to become dark. Apart from a dodgy older man in a club with predatory vibes, all of Eduardo's memories are happy. He stares intently at everyone and everything, as if trying to freeze time, storing details as he heads out for the night with Mario and his friends.
A Night of Firsts
Clearly, this is Eduardo's first time away from his parents, and he embraces it wholeheartedly. The night includes sex, tequila, a gay club, poppers, and half a tattoo. Eduardo vomits on his shirt and pees on his phone. The next morning, on the bus home, he is a changed man.
While some audiences may feel they have seen similar stories before, the film's authenticity and upfront portrayal of pleasure and desire set it apart. The young cast delivers terrific performances, making the familiar feel fresh.
The Last First Time is available on digital platforms from 16 July.
