The Debut

R

Released May 18, 2001

1h 28m

Comedy

Drama

List

71%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

73%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

A Filipino-American teenager (Dante Basco) reluctantly attends the coming-out party his father (Tirso Cruz III) is giving for his sister.

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Critics Consensus

Although The Debut offers few surprises, it remains an engaging and well-acted look at the multi-generational immigrant experience.

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Frank Scheck

Hollywood Reporter

Mostly the situations, albeit compressed, ring true; the characters are admirably multi-dimensional, and there are welcome doses of humor that compensate for any contrivances.

Nov 15, 2002

Full Review

Lou Lumenick

New York Post

An earnest and predictable little indie.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 18, 2002

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Lawrence Van Gelder

New York Times

A neat blend of well-drawn major characters and drama, music, dance, romance and humor that generates considerable charm and achieves a heartwarming resolution of its generational conflict.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 17, 2002

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

This indie coming-of-age and immigrant-experience story seems promising, but unfortunately isn't as good as it should be.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 23, 2021

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Oct 7, 2005

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R C

Even with its vulgar language at times, this is a film to be credited as a foundational piece in the Filipino-American cinema movement. The premise of a white-washed Filipino American son of immigrant parents is relatable for 2nd generation audiences. In 2001, this was an amazing film that evoked community pride and accomplishment. It's a messy reflection of a time when Fil-Am representation was frustratingly invisible, using familiar tropes that audiences today have seen in many TV shows and films. Nostalgia keeps this one relevant.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/06/23

Full Review

benjamin w

Since I have a lot of friends who are Filipino, I feel like I know most of these people. It's just a great movie for me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

[b]Plot[/b]: Medium [b]Entertainment[/b]: Medium-High [b]Originality[/b]: Medium-Low [b]Replay[/b] [b]Value[/b]: Low [b]Acting[/b]: Medium [b]Memorable[/b]: Low [list][*]Predictable. [*]Fun to watch. [*]Recommendation: Rent if you aren't looking for something thought-provoking or original. [*]Grade: C [/list]

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

[url]http://www.style.org/unladenswallow/[/url] [url]http://www.barbiecollectibles.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=B3449[/url]

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

[color=black]Solid film about growing up fillipino in america.[/color]

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Movie Review: "American Adobo", "The Debut", "Better Luck Tomorrow", "Charlotte Sometimes" This is my ratings of some ASIAN/AMERICAN films that I watched. I did one on "Charlotte Sometimes" and reposted it here again. [color=pink]"American Adobo" (2002)[/color] [color=pink][img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/70/207470.jpg[/img]Hmmm... where do I begin... lets see... The cast probably wanted to do this movie because of the possible American Market it would be released to. Unfortunately, they should have pushed for a better script and better director. Not to say that the director is not good... but to be commercially successful in America, you need to have a director AND A WRITER with the same sense of structure, character arch and theme that most audiences can identify with. The lack of structure (as a writer) really got me. It was horrible. The characters were stereotypes of the Filipinos I grew up with. And the writing style and lack of subplot dripped with exposition throughout the whole movie. Did someone not mention to the writer that Voice Overs are KINDA bad? And unless you can write like Alan Ball, your VOICE OVERS better rock! This movie was a poor attempt to cross over to the American public. And if American Filipinos enjoyed the film, hmmm... they need to get out more cause laughing at yourself is one thing (and it won't get you far as a filmmaker), identifying with characters in a universal appeal is much better filmmaking. [/color] ********************** [color=yellow]"The Debut" (2002)[/color] [color=yellow][img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/69/211669.jpg[/img]Decent film. But still, do Filipino filmmakers think that the american audience won't get it? There was so many over the top scenes that push the tradition of Filipino's on your plate like you wouldn't believe... but you don't have to. It's about story. From story and characters comes the traditions and cultures. You don't have to draw attention to it, just have your Filipino/American characters convey everything through their simple dialogue and subtle actions. [/color] [color=yellow]One scene in particular (if you're F.O.B. you'll get it) is when the lead character has to 'bless' the elders. And he was acting like he didn't 'get it'. And was awkward doing it. COME ON... You know what to do... you're 17 years old... you've been there done that... YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE IT... but don't act like you've never been aware of such a thing. The writer/director at that point proved he was making this Filipino lead an AMERICAN oblivious to culture yet embarassed of his own culture. How stupid is that?[/color] [color=yellow]A few characters were on the "O.A" side but most of the characters were good. Altough the film got a little tiring since the party (The Debut) seemed to last FOREVER... but it was just one night. Yikes. [/color] [color=yellow]This is definately a lesson on how NOT to make a Filipino/American movie. [/color] [color=yellow]They were on the right track but missed their mark, and if this is a new standard from ASIAN/American movies, everything after should easily raise the standard. Because this was far from compelling in movie making or story telling.[/color] ********************** [color=magenta]"Better Luck Tomorrow" (2003)[/color] [color=magenta][img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/77/211877.jpg[/img]Okay - the filmmakers got it right with this one. A pretty much full Asian cast based on a true story. But compelling, deep, flawed and wonderful characters. Thanks to Justin Lin (producer/director)![/color] [color=magenta]The characters were skillfully crafted, the conflict was real, the absurdity of straight 'A' students getting involved with a situation like this was out there yet interesting and completely acceptable in this world... And what was so bad with the ending? NOTHING. It seemed like a blatant tribute to "The Graduate"... and that's a great movie.[/color] [color=magenta]This movie was inspirational. It was how movies from asian filmmakers using asian actors should be made. It completely held the universal emotions that any 'American film' would have and was not over-the-top, was not overly expositional and was NOT overly acted.[/color] [color=magenta]GO RENT IT NOW... [/color] ********************** [color=cyan]"Charlotte Sometimes" (2003)[/color] [color=cyan][img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/35/212635_thumb.jpg[/img] There's a good movie that you should rent to learn about LIGHTING, MOOD, CHARACTER and STORY TELLING [b]WITHOUT[/b] too much exposition and dialogue.[/color] [color=cyan]It's called, "CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES" (2003)[/color] [color=cyan]After watching it I thought to myself, "Wow... finally a movie that doesn't have to explain every single thing to get the point across. Finally, a movie with scenes that were NOT over written" - as many of the scenes on the VPL are.[/color] [color=cyan]Good movie. Really good - for a small tiny indie film by nobody. It's dark, edgy, deep, conflicted and quiet. The director let the camera tell the story. Not much dialogue, lingering scenes, deep emotion and scarred characters. The women were beautiful and it was pretty much a full asian cast shot in Silverlake, CA.[/color] [color=cyan]Don't be sleepy when you watch this movie. But watch it for a good lesson in direction and character's actions tell more about who they are instead of words.[/color] [url="http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/2003/05/050201.html"][size=4][color=cyan]Ebert's Review[/color][/size][/url]

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Gene Cajayon

Director

Dante Basco

Ben Mercado

Eddie Garcia

Lolo Carlos

Tirso Cruz III

Roland Mercado

Gina Alajar

Gina

Darion Basco

Augusto

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Synopsis

A Filipino-American teenager (Dante Basco) reluctantly attends the coming-out party his father (Tirso Cruz III) is giving for his sister.

Director: Gene Cajayon
Producer: Gene Cajayon
Screenwriter: Gene Cajayon, John Manal Castro
Production Co: GMA Network Films, Via Digital, Celestial Pictures, 5 Card Productions, Visual Communications
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 18, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.7M
Runtime: 1h 28m

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