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That's probably reducing the effectiveness of this good (albeit dated) family melodrama from director Michael Apted. An early role from Robert Downey Jr. (his Melba Toast one-liner is memorable and classic dry Downey Jr.), Peter Weller, who at the time was best known as the likeable offbeat hero Buckaroo Banzai. And the debut of the less annoying of the two Coreys (Haim).

In Firstborn, Weller plays Sam, a leech of a character who charms his way into the life of Wendy, a recent divorcee with two high school sons and desperate to find a new man to fill the role of stepdad. Wendy is played by Teri Garr, coming off two highly successful comedies (Tootsie and Mr. Mom) and apparently eager to show her dramatic chops. She does a good job, too...the proud mother of an honor roll student and his much less mature (and not just because of his age) kid brother.

Sam floats in and is aloof at first with the two sons Jake and Brian. Then he tries to win their affection by grilling out with the family (cooking with Mesquite!), tossing a baseball around with them, and buying them unexpected ritzy gifts like a moped for Jake. Sam talks about opening a restaurant too. Where is his money coming from?

Jake senses something is off with the guy. As more is revealed about Sam's shadiness, Jake starts faltering in school, failing tests and getting into heated arguments with his teachers. Even his friendships with Iron Man and Carrie Bradshaw (another early career role in the movie - Sarah Jessica Parker) turn sour. Jake then discovers Sam's source of income and the movie turns into a domestic thriller.

This movie was the first produced by Sherry Lansing at Paramount. The finale involves a fight in a suburban home that foretells a future movie she would produce with Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. Even little Brian (Corey Haim) comes to the rescue with a bat.

Out of all of the actors, the most memorable performances have to be from Christopher Collet, as Jake, and Weller, as the shady and eventually dangerous Sam. Collet would later star in the underrated sci fi comedy "The Manhattan Project," and then apparently drop off the face of the Earth. Weller became RoboCop.

Garr is effective and if she seems weak in the film, it's because her character initially is weak. Even Haim is quite good as the little brother, and would appear two years later in the underrated high school romance "Lucas" before teaming up with the other Corey for his skyrocketing popularity, and eventual downfall.

This is a decent drama that plays a bit like a TV movie, but with the success of "Ordinary People" and other early '80s dramas focused on American families, made it to the box office for a very brief run. It later became a sleeper hit on video.

This is another movie about the ramifications of addictions and though it's not "Leaving Las Vegeas" the movie is still welldone and draws you in(it was a book to). It also offers a fresh perspective surprisingly rare for movies of this type-addiction as seen through the eyes-not of the lover or parent-but of the child. In THIS story it's the mother in the family who is problematic-especially when the mother's new boyfriend enters the picture and starts a destructive chain of events.

As in most stories of this genre don't expect sweetness and light. It's a good story to see though and one many may relate too. The book is equally as welldone.

First Born is good psychological exploration in the various signs of breakdown of kids dealing with tough family situations. Here, Christopher Collet (Prayer of the Rollerboys) is Jake Livingston, a fifteen year old kid who lives with his mom (Terri Garr) and younger brother, Brian (Corey Haim). And, things are fine for a while for Jake, despite his dad going to Montreal to marry his girlfriend, leaving Jake a tad sympathetic of his still single mother. But things quickly fall apart when his mom's new boyfriend, Sam (Peter Weller), enters the picture, and eventually moves in. While his mom has dated in the past, there is something about Sam that neither Jake nor Brian can tolerate. They can't figure out what their mother sees in this guy.

Sam is kind of a flake. He never gives too much information about his past. The longer that Sam stays, the worse things become. He starts getting violent towards the boy, he starts bringing drugs into the house, and Jake's mother eventually starts falling into the same dangerous patterns as Sam while neglecting her own boys who plead with her to realize what Sam is really all about. For the first born, Jake, this is not something he can ignore, and has the responsibility of finding a way to protect himself, his brother, and most of all, his mother.

This movie presents the kind of psychological breakdown kids may go through when faced with serious family issues. Before Sam arrived, Jake was a funny, easy going kid. He was a good student and spent a lot of time with his friends (one of whom was played by Robert Downey, Jr.) and girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker). Afterwards, both his and Brian's attitudes change for the worse. Jake becomes considerably thinner, irritable, and starts slacking academically. Likewise, Brian starts getting into a lot of fights in the schoolyard, beating up the kids he know he can win fights against. Plus, he hates coming home, and when he does, he spend much of the time locked in his room. It is a good film, too, to teach of the warning signs to parents, teachers, counselors, and so forth (Jake's dad couldn't be suspicious of anything was going on because he wasn't there to witness the changes in his sons).

I wish Christopher Collet had been in more movies. He appears again with Haim about six years later or so in the sci-fi movie, Prayer of the Rollerboys.

I spent the movie yelling over and over again. Why is the mom making such idiotic decisions? Why is she not being a better mother? Why is no one telling the authorities or a teacher even, about what is happening. This movie makes you so mad and frustrated. But this is a common reality today. Lonely single moms rushing things with men they don't know. Many times they get wrapped up in wrongdoings, influenced by the new man and they stay with them because they just don't want to be alone. Then the kids suffer from the negative environment. This movie even shows how manipulation, threats and drug use is also used for control. This is a very realistic portrayel of something that is quite common. It may be a bit more dramatized, but I think it's a good movie for people who ignore those red flags out of loneliness and desperation.

(Some Spoilers) There was already trouble brewing at he Livingston home with the husband and father Alan Livingston , Richard Brandon,of the two young boys Jake and Brian, Christopher Collet & Corey Haim,leaving his wife Wendy, Terri Garr, for another woman Joanne, Gayle Harbor. Still you know that something is really hit the fan when the mysterious drifter Sam,Peter Weller, all of a sudden popped up and slowly wormed his way into Wendy's heart and into her home.

The two boys, especially Jake, saw right through Sam's phony front as a former independent contractor now working for this local security firm. In fact Sam was a low echelon coke dealer trying to make it to the big time in the local drug trafficking business.

With Wendy going through a bout of severe depression, by being left by herself, she was more then happy to get someone who she felt was a good husband, or boyfriend, and father to her two boys. Loving towards Wendy and friendly to Jake & Brian at first Sam begins to show his true colors feelings and motives. He tuns the family home into a local drug den where he deals with all these unsavory characters stooping over to buy and sell dope.

As insurance Sam gets Wendy hooked on coke to not only make her more dependent towards him, as her supplier, but also keep her and her boys from reporting him to the police. Sam uses the fear of Wendy's sons knowing that she'll be arrested along with him as a co-conspirator in his drug dealings.

The film "Firstborn" does a good job showing how an American family goes through a crisis period after it's left without it's bread-winner The movie not only reflects on the wife, Wendy, but the two children, Jake & Brian. The ending of the movie was about the only drawback to it by trying to tie everything together and make things Right. Not only for the Livingston family but even for Sam ,who despite being kicked out of the house, doesn't end up dead or even thrown behind bars for his criminal actions.

Firstborn has been one of my favorite films since its release. It has a terrific script and fine performances by all the actors. I have worked with children as an educational therapist and have known many students who had step-parents that were abusive. Even a second cousin of mine has brought boyfriends into her home to live who would make Peter Weller's character look saintly by comparison. Teri Garr, like many deserted or divorced mothers, becomes flattered by the attention she is getting from Peter Weller, and their obvious sexual bonding makes it easy for her to overlook the potential harm to her children that moving him in might cause. While many critics didn't like that the film adds drug use about midway through, this too is more common than many think. This was Corey Haim's first film, and his reaction early on when learning that his dad is getting remarried, shows what a fine actor he was. I am so glad I have the VHS tape and have put a cable copy on a home DVD. If you like serious family drama, do yourself a favor and try to find a VHS tape to rent or buy. It is a heart wrenching but ultimately satisfying movie, and you get to watch early performances by Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Junior. The director, Michael Apted, should be very proud. It richly deserves a DVD release. (Update 2012: Firstborn has finally been made available on DVD).

I went to this movie on a date in college---whooo.

The moral of this movie? "No one will be happy until dragged to Hell and back."

If you want to be depressed or get into abusive relationships w/o understanding them, enjoy. Otherwise, avoid like the plague.

Wendy(Garr) is a single mom raising two boys, Jake(Collett) and Brian(Haim). After seeing that her ex-husband has moved on in his life she gets in a relationship with Sam(Weller).

At first Sam seems to be a nice guy, but that soon changes. He keeps coming up with different ways to make money but never follows through. He moves in with the family way too soon and even starts helping himself to the boys belongings. He invites shady looking friends to the house late at night to have Coke parties and starts to become verbally abusive to all and physically abusive to Wendy. She keeps telling the boys that Sam is trying and to be patient but the stress of this affects the boys as well.

Jake is a great student, athletic and fun-loving. As the stress keeps welling up in him it causes problems in his relationship with his girlfriend Lisa(Jessica-Parker). He becomes verbally abusive to his friends and more aggressive on the Lacrosse field. Up to this point he has been tolerant of his self absorbed, egomaniac teacher but even starts to become defiant with him as well.

Brian avoids home as much as he can and keeps getting into bad fights in school.

When Jake discovers that Sam is trafficking drugs through the house he has finally had enough and takes it upon himself to make a stand.

This movie is a great example of how a bad relationship can cause stress on more than two lives. Stress becomes a trickle down effect and can be very damaging especially to young lives.

There's trouble at home! Suburban teenager has been rebelling at school and battling with his mother, who is dating a creepy new guy. Pricelessly overripe piece of juvenilia--designed to get kids in the audience cheering--backfires when it becomes apparent this young rebel hasn't much on his mind. Melodrama from director Michael Apted wastes some fine actors, including Teri Garr and Peter Weller as the irresponsible adults, on tepid material. Clueless screenwriter Ron Koslow eventually shows his hand (and his true intentions) once the scenario is turned into a low-brow psycho-thriller. Definitely not hip. *1/2 from ****

This has always been one of my favorite films. It is very well acted, with great performances from Peter Weller, Terri Garr, and especially Christopher Collet (I would have expected to see more acting credits for him). I really like its unflinching look at the consequences of divorce, from the sadness of the kids to the vulnerability of the mother. Look for a young Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Downey Jr., and Corey Haim in supporting roles.

This is not, nor was it intended to be, a happy movie.

Wendy, (a great performance by Teri Garr), is a very lonely and extremely vulnerable divorced Mother of two boys. She is wooed and won by Sam, (Peter Weller), a great guy and perfect husband/father replacement. Wendy's oldest son, Jake, discovers a secret which Wendy chooses to downplay rather than jeopardize her relationship with Sam.

What should Jake do?

Not all life situations are happy situations. The script is a strong and realistic rendering of a very believable situation. For a happy movie, I recommend "Mary Poppins".

My father and I saw this movie together years ago, and we couldn't get over how down this movie makes you feel. The message clearly was "don't do drugs," but after it was over I wanted drugs, and lots of them to make the pain stop. Peter Weller I want to always remember as RoboCop, the good guy going after the foul-mouthed drug pushers. Instead he's a drug selling, red-headed stepchild beating loser. Teri Garr's role as a coked-out party mom was old after the first half hour. The best part of the movie was all the cool drugs. I never tried cocaine until after viewing this movie, there might a subliminal message in there somewhere.

Wonderful classic and I love the films pattern along the way. I also love Christopher and Corey's performance! Very moving and emotional the more we as the audience learns about the boys, and how they're affected by their parents being divorced. Very beautiful film and I wouldn't mind seeing a remake of this film. I think it would be a good message to some people

No good loser moves in with divorced woman and her kids and causes problems.

The lady seems to live in a comfortable suburban house and spends most days in the garden, going to store, and cleaning house. First question, where does she get the money to live like this ? She apparently doesn't work, so maybe the good hearted ex supplies her with an alimony that wouldn't happen today. Then she meets an obvious shifty character and he moves right in, spending her cash and spooking the kids.

The kids are threatened by the guy, and is seen doing drugs, never seems to go to a job. The oldest boy has major issues with the deadbeat yet tells no one, not at school or simply by telling the cops. The big fight outside alarms no neighbors and again, no cops. Today's kids wouldn't waste a second to dial 911 and spill the beans, but this is a 1984 movie so I suppose they are all stupid.

Pretty awful movie with little insights to the family and its issues.

Robert Downey Jr. Plays a teen cool guy who neither adds or subtracts from the film.

Nobody seems to like this drama, probably because it IS at times very depressing and downbeat...and the ending DOES tie things up a little too neatly after going over the top melodramatically. But the movie is worth seeing for several reasons. It's extremely well-acted by all (especially Christopher Collet and a rare dramatic turn from Teri Garr)and the early parts of the story ring powerfully true about the loneliness, confusion and hurt that comes with being a family torn apart by divorce. The scenes involving the kids and their friends and their dealings at school also feel fresh and very real.

Solidly directed by Michael Apted, "Firstborn" is an affecting 1980's drama that, despite its flaws, will stay with you long after you see it.

The 80's were a great decade for teen movies. In fact, it was the best. There were a ton of great ones that everybody knows. But there were also some really good ones that slipped through the cracks. "Firstborn" is one of those that a lot of people missed. That's a shame. "Firstborn" is top-notch stuff. The cast is great. Teri Garr, Peter Weller, Christopher Colet and Corey Haim all deliver the goods. "Firstborn" is not a perfect movie. The coach character is pointless and the teacher is totally ridiculous. The chase scene is also a bit much. That said, when "Firstborn" is on point, it's great stuff.

Abuse is always one of the issues that emotionally cut me, it doesn't matter what age you are it's always the worst experience for anyone to have not so much on the threat of being hit but how much it truly destroys the life of the victim.

This is one of my favorite dramas and films of all time. It's true it's not exactly the most uplifting but at the same time it sort of is in a way because the protagonist does what any person in that situation should do fight back. I feel it deals with the issue of abuse well by not being heavy handed or preachy.

The score I think is great it has one of my favorite themes of all time. I really like the characters from some supporting characters like Sarah Jessica Parker as Lisa whom at the time I thought was cute and kinda hot is Jake's significant other. I like the chemistry between them it felt like any other young teen romance. Even best friend Lee played well by Robert Downey Jr. whom is a fun character he's kinda a loose fun sort of guy from his wardrobe reminds me a bit of Ducky's from "Pritty in Pink". Though these two I don't feel have enough scenes with Jake which to me is the only weak point of the film, I kinda would of liked to see both of them have a hand in Jake's dilemma and help him though it somehow.

Even young Corry Haim whom is one of my favorite young actors in the 80's and is sadly no longer with us is great. Playing a young brother that isn't a stereotypical annoyance but feel like a actual brother. I like the chemistry between both Jake and him which I feel really carries out the film. You feel pathos for both of them for what they are forced to go though and how it's affecting their lives. It also made me worry for both their lives as things escalate.

Though of course my favorite character is Jake played by Christopher Collet whom I think is an underrated actor. It's a real shame he didn't become one of the big stars in the 80's this actor I felt had a lot of potential. Anyway his character is great, he plays sports but he's not a jock which I like, let alone he plays Lacrose which was something one of my cousins did. I like that he has charisma, humor, and he's also one of my favorite fictional heroes because he doesn't bend or take crap from anyone, and he knows when enough is enough to take action.

One of the highlight no doubt is that scene with the English teacher whom is just a complete blowhole gives Jake a failing grade on purpose despite Jake actually worked hard and put effort into it. That's like some blowhole assistant manager complain about tables that are perfectly clean despite being the one that cleaned it up well, it makes no damn sense. Sometimes the problem with authoritative positions are they just breed blowholes and that's not right, just because you have power doesn't give you the right to abuse it, it's not a toy. That pushes Jake over the edge and he then does what I feel any person in that situation should do stand up for himself, I couldn't help but cheer.

It's really surreal seeing one of my favorite actors Peter Weler play a villain; but then a lot of other actors I know and like had there start doing that. Here he plays a villain you just plain hate and that's the point because scumbags like Sam actually exist.

Sam is just horrible, throughout most of the film I just wanted to beat the living crap out of him. The guy is pretty much a loser, he's a drug dealer as well as drugy, flaky, full of bull crap but worst of all completely abusive and acts like he own everyone and everything.

From little moments like when Sam then says some bull crap about playing Jake's records without permission from Jake. That's like someone taking some of my video games or DVD/Blu Rays and playing them without asking me, that tees me off because not asking anyone's permission to use personal property is practically steeling.

Or one really big moment when Sam comes close to crossing the line about to hit Jake and Brian I thought "cmon Sam, lets go right now!" Sorry that sounded bold but that scene made my blood boil to raging hot.

We see how things get worse with Sam's presence even to the point of scary. The house we see gets messier, well may'be not to the point of being a crap hole but you know that it will get there if he's still around.

Wendy is a character I don't hate but more like disappointed with as are the kids because you feel she should know better but due to her desperation she's ignoring all common sense and completely irresponsible, which is common with most in that state.

One scene that made me want to yell at her was when Jake lied to his real father for his mom over the phone that everything was fine and after that call it looked like Jake was about to cry. It was heart sinking and almost put a tear in my eye and made me really mad at Wendy I thought "Can't you see what is happening to your family!" Part of the suspense is hoping she's get her common sense back while she still has a family.

The film I do feel has a good message about always standing up to abusers, don't let them control your lives they own nobody.

Sometimes the young are a lot more grown up than you think.

Rating: 4 stars

If you're an 80's film buff, you couldn't ask for anything better than Firstborn. Peter Weller being creepier than creepy, Cory Haim being earnest, Sarah Jessica Parker being mousy, and Teri Garr addicted to coke. Does it get any better? I found the film looking for more Christopher Collet flicks (he's the dreamy 13-year-old Paul of Sleepaway Camp), and he knocks this role out of the park as an engaging and increasingly troubled teen trying to keep his family together. Though the subject matter is a little heavy, Apted keeps you riveted, and Firstborn proves itself to be a heartfelt and endearing look at a family ripped apart. Not only is this Corey Haim's first film, but the entire cast is outstanding. Do yourself a favor and see it.

FIRSTBORN (1984) *** Teri Garr, Peter Weller, Christopher Collet, Corey Haim, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Downey, Jr. Absorbing story of a teenager facing his mother's sudden downward spiral thanks to a shifty loser (Weller in a nice turn). Good acting and an original sleeper.

Saw this at a sneak preview when it first came out in 1984. It is still a great watch today in 2024. Proud of all the performers in this. Was the first flick for Corey Haim, RIP. Was expecting Collet to have a big career after this. I'm just glad that he still performs and seems to be doing okay. This was the first time I saw Robert Downey Jr. On screen. Boy did he go through a lot after this and throughout the 80's, so great he overcame that and has his awesome career today. I'm sorry that I'm blathering because they require a whole lot of characters to leave a review. Hopefully Teri Garr is being taken care of.