Written and directed by Will Crouse and Ashley Crowe, who stars in the short alongside Alex Nolen, two women hit it off in a bar and embark on an unforgettable psychedelic first date.
Within the sapphic world, there are some stereotypes which simply ring true, one of the most notable being the speed and intensity with which relationships can develop, The First Date is a lovingly crafted example of that. The spark between Ashley Crowe’s Amesha and Alex Nolen’s Jori is undeniable and immediate. Seeing their effortless chemistry take hold while surrounded by that electrically pink hue of the cinematography from Gianna Aquilina is effortlessly cute and charming. Enveloping the scene in that hot pink glow was a fantastic choice by the filmmakers to really set the tone for The First Date.
It kicks things off on that classically cute note, and that only strengthens as time goes on. The visual and the writing work together to create a warm, affectionate atmosphere and tone. Especially as they have a great awareness, being able to add in some cheesier notes, in traditional romance fashion, without making them feel insincere or artificial. It has that heightened romantic air, while holding onto a natural air, and it feels like Will Crouse and Ashley Crowe have fun with creating a balancing act of the two. Understanding where to blend those lines between being hopelessly romantic and building a genuine connection.
Undoubtedly, part of crafting that balance is the performances from Ashley Crowe and Alex Nolen. As well as that strong chemistry, they also manage to build individual personalities and perspectives for their characters. We may only get to spend a short amount of time with these women but from these performances, we get a good sense of their history, both in what we’re told and what we’re not. Their portrayals are sweet, flirtatious and touching.
The First Date is an adorable outing, it’s cute from beginning to end but also has some nicely emotional layers to add into the mix. Ashley Crowe and Alex Nolen both give great performances and have absolutely effortless chemistry, it’s so natural and endearingly nervous. It’s shot really well, there are some excellent location choices, and it has a strong vein of sincerity, while also building a traditionally romantic atmosphere. It’s a very sweet, sapphic short.
