First Round Down

When it’s all said and done, First Round Down is a good film to watch, but there are missing elements that would have made the movie so much better. It all has to do with character development and the lack thereof. Characters, primarily the lead, needs an arc. They need to show growth by the end of the film. You can claim Tim has one, but he doesn’t fundamentally change as a person by the end, or the arc is not large enough to make a difference. He stays essentially the same.

Yes, Tim’s life goes through a change as he deals with the mob and his girlfriend, but the changes are strictly external. In other words, he fixes the wacky predicament, solves the mystery, and the movie ends. The reason an arc is so important is we need to connect with Tim Tucker from the beginning, so we’re emotionally invested in the outcome of the film. Yes, he’s a failed sports star, but he’s someone unlikable from start to finish. This is also true of the supporting cast. Ex-girlfriend Kelly should be likable, but she isn’t. Somehow her dweeby fiancée Winston (Kristian Bruun) comes about as the most likable character, next to teen brother Matt.

“…adept at weaving multiple plotlines and telling a good, small-time mob story.”

There are good jokes laced throughout the movie, but they lose their punch. Look, I love an excellent pee joke. This occurs when Tim is caught peeing on the side of a building. The laugh is lost because at this point Tim is really unlikeable, and what should come across as humor, makes Tim instead, look like a douche.

My feeling is writers/directors Brett and Jason Butler are just one film away from a great movie. They are adept at weaving multiple plotlines and telling a good, small-time mob story. If they work on their character development, their next film should be fantastic. First Round Down is a fine film from filmmakers with great potential.