The unabashed earnestness of everyone involved allows you to forgive some of the shortcomings.
Comment
10/05/01
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The Debut (2000)
74
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:23
Fresh:17
Rotten:6
Average Rating:6.3/10
Theatrical Release:May 18, 2000 Limited
Box Office: $1,533,516
Synopsis: Filipino-American high school student Ben (Dante Mercado) works in a comic book shop to earn money to pay his way into Cal Arts. His father, a postman, is determined that his son--who has won a... [More]
Starring: Dante Basco, Eddie Garcia, Tirso Cruz III, Gina Alajar
Director: Gene Cajayon
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Reviews for The Debut
Director Gene Cajayon, with co-writer John Manal Castro and a charming cast, continually subverts expectations.
11/15/02
A melodramatic yarn that transcends some of its technical and storytelling flaws through the cheery energy and sincerity of its cast.
04/09/01
Top CriticMostly the situations, albeit compressed, ring true; the characters are admirably multi-dimensional, and there are welcome doses of humor that compensate for any contrivances.
11/15/02
Predictable but heartfelt, and valuable in that it is one of the first Filipino-American productions.
10/10/02
A smart, engaging demonstration of how the conventions of the coming-of-age comedy-drama can be adapted and given new meaning.
06/04/01
A delightful coming-of-age film that becomes universal by way of its subject matter.
03/21/02
A universal coming-of-age story as illuminating as it is entertaining.
10/05/01
Top CriticA 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.
10/17/02
That it feels so predictable is, ironically, a tribute to the universality of the experience it explores.
10/18/02
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08/07/08
Celebrates community and family, and does so in such a warm-hearted way that its formulaic nature is easily forgiven.
08/16/02
Has at its heart a strong cast of actors giving their all to earn a resounding ring of truth with the movie's target audience.
04/18/01
Familiar in its story arc, but fresh in its energy and lucky in its choice of actors.
03/22/02
Top CriticFor all its familiarity, The Debut (an unfortunately bland and vague title) is a film from the heart...
08/16/02
A heartfelt, crowd-pleaser of a story.
12/19/01
The Joy Luck Club did the "white people are ignorant" story with less obviousness
08/15/03
No review available.
10/07/05
The film has a sweet low-budget quality that sometimes slips into TV-movie schmaltz.
10/15/02
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