‘You Were My First Boyfriend’ Review: Diary of a Former Teen

Cecilia Aldarondo takes the method of reliving adolescent trauma to a literal diploma in “You Were My First Boyfriend,” her characteristic that falls someplace between documentary and diaristic re-enactment. Spurred by her 20-year highschool reunion in Winter Park, Fla., Aldarondo pulls again layers of reminiscences and outdated home-movie footage to research the numerous relationships of her early life: her first intense crush, her bullies, and her childhood finest good friend and fellow outsider, Caroline.

To face down her demons, Aldarondo enlists a cadre of kid actors to recreate scenes from her time in highschool — each reminiscences of actual occasions and fantasy sequences — through which Aldarondo portrays her personal teenage self. The movie paperwork the making of those scenes as a lot as the ultimate product, a course of that may be equal components touching and awkward. When Aldarondo will get in contact with the now grown-up Joel, the boy she had a crush on for six years, she chooses to learn a poem she wrote about him in the course of the peak of her obsession — a choice that makes even her present accomplice, Gabe, cringe with embarrassment.

However, regardless of its title, “You Were My First Boyfriend” is at its best when Aldarondo strikes past teen lust and into the extra difficult features of her upbringing. Her Puerto Rican heritage made her a simple goal for bullying at her predominantly white highschool, however Aldarondo was not exempt from appearing merciless to these round her to slot in. She rehashes these nuances via, amongst different issues, making a shot-for-shot remake of Tori Amos’s “Crucify” music video together with her sister Laura. It’s simply zany sufficient to work.

You Were My First Boyfriend
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes. Watch on HBO platforms.