potential harm to her children that moving him in might cause. While many critics didn't like that the film adds drug use about midway through, this too is more common than many think. This was Corey Haim's first film, and his reaction early on when learning that his dad is getting remarried, shows what a fine actor he was. I am so glad I have the VHS tape and have put a cable copy on a home DVD. If you like serious family drama, do yourself a favor and try to find a VHS tape to rent or buy. It is a heart wrenching but ultimately satisfying movie, and you get to watch early performances by Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Junior. The director, Michael Apted, should be very proud. It richly deserves a DVD release. Update 2012: Firstborn has finally been made available on DVD .

boys that Sam is trying and to be patient but the stress of this affects the boys as well.Jake is a great student, athletic and fun-loving. As the stress keeps welling up in him it causes problems in his relationship with his girlfriend Lisa Jessica-Parker . He becomes verbally abusive to his friends and more aggressive on the Lacrosse field. Up to this point he has been tolerant of his self absorbed, egomaniac teacher but even starts to become defiant with him as well.Brian avoids home as much as he can and keeps getting into bad fights in school.When Jake discovers that Sam is trafficking drugs through the house he has finally had enough and takes it upon himself to make a stand.This movie is a great example of how a bad relationship can cause stress on more than two lives. Stress becomes a trickle down effect and can be very damaging especially to young lives.

more horrifying. Sam is a drug-dealer and he has Jake and Brian's mother addicted to cocaine. It is now up to the older son Jake, to protect Brian, his mother, and himself, from Sam's growing abuse towards them, and to get Sam out of the house before Sam does irreversible damage to the already shattered family.The scenes for the most part are realistic and the film does a good job of conveying a dark image of the decent into abusive family trauma. The actors do a wonderful job in their roles. The only minor downfall is that the film is a little too predictable and their isn't much originality to it. The fight scene at the end seems to go on a little too long and appears to be forced. However, Firstborn does have some strong undertone messages. Just don't expect to feel very happy when you are watching this movie or after it ends. However, other than the "too long" fight scene, the film is well done and one that I would recommend.