Watch First Love, Last Rites

First Love, Last Rites is a 1997 independent drama film directed by Jesse Peretz and based on a short story by Ian McEwan. Set in the 1970s, the movie revolves around the complex and unconventional relationship between a young couple, Joey and Sissel. Joey (played by Giovanni Ribisi), a troubled and alienated young man, lives in a rundown seaside town with his mentally unstable father. One summer, he meets Sissel (played by Natasha Gregson Wagner), a beautiful and free-spirited teenager who is also seeking refuge from her troubled family in the town. Despite their age difference and their vastly different personalities, Joey and Sissel quickly become infatuated with each other, and their relationship soon becomes sexual.

However, the intensity of their connection soon takes a dark turn, as their emotional and psychological impulses lead them into increasingly dangerous and destructive situations. Joey's mental instability and Sissel's instability clash and the walls they built around their lives cracks.

Throughout the movie, the themes of first love and its corrupting influence are explored in a raw and unflinching way. The cinematography, which is often dreamlike and surreal, captures the mood and atmosphere of the film perfectly. The movie is full of beautiful, haunting imagery that serves to underscore the complex, almost supernatural element of Joey and Sissel's relationship.

The movie is further amplified by its raw and powerful performances from the two lead actors. Ribisi and Wagner both deliver intense and emotionally charged performances that convey the dark and disturbing elements of the film with a convincing and unsettling realism. Their chemistry on screen is palpable and their moments of tenderness and vulnerability are heart-breaking.

What makes First Love, Last Rites particularly noteworthy is its unorthodox approach to storytelling. The movie is told through a series of fragmented, non-linear scenes, jump-cutting back and forth between different timelines and perspectives. This approach serves to enhance the dreamlike quality of the film while also adding a layer of complexity to the characters and their motivations.

While the film's subject matter is undoubtedly dark and unsettling, there are moments of tenderness and beauty that serve to offset the heavier tones. The movie is also punctuated by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, which adds to its dreamlike quality and helps to further immerse the viewer in the film's unique atmosphere.

In conclusion, First Love, Last Rites is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that explores the darker side of human relationships with unflinching frankness. Its stunning imagery, gripping performances, and unorthodox storytelling approach make it a standout independent film that is sure to linger in the viewer's mind long after the end credits roll.