When life throws you a curveball, be prepared with a vicious backhand. Director Gina O’Brien readies a counterattack with her irreverent sports comedy, First One In. Using the classic “underdog team” trope, O’Brien’s directorial debut emphasizes how difficult it is for women to get second chances following public scorn. In the case of Madi Cooke (Kat Foster), accidentally killing one of the last pygmy “bush babies” in existence on television is tantamount to genocide.
Reality show contestant fame already comes at a price, but tacking on animal abuse is a reputation annihilator. Subsequently, Madi is viewed as a social pariah everywhere she goes. O’Brien’s script doesn’t denounce “cancel culture” so much as demonstrate who stands to be more affected by it in a straight white male-dominated world. The lengths Madi goes to start anew include dying her hair a natural-looking blonde and recommitting herself to the real estate workforce.
The latter doesn’t seem a punishment until she has to interview with top broker Bobbi Mason (Georgia King) and her collection of obsequious agents. The dog-eat-dog firm would fit right alongside the Oppenheim Group from Netflix’s Selling Sunset, although “Surviving Sunset” is probably the more fitting title with these realty sharks. Bobbi Mason is out for blood, and she wants her clients to know she’s reigning champ on and off the tennis court.
That’s right; the mogul flaunts her supremacy as undefeated champion at the local tennis resort her firm sponsors. However, she needs a new partner since her previous one — who’s also her head assistant — is in the midst of labor. Madi lands into Bobbi’s lap at the most opportune moment; her success as Bobbi’s tennis partner is a condition for potential employment. To practice on her own, Madi visits the nearby Acme indoor tennis club for lessons. There, she discovers newfound friendship and a way to kick butt without hurting anyone along the way. Restarting your life doesn’t have to involve making a deal with the devil.
Madi meets several women willing to boost their own self-confidence by enrolling in the tournament Bobbi and her league annually dominate. With a major property listing in grasp, Madi relishes taking Bobbi’s ego down several pegs without fear of reprisal. Switching sides despite low odds of winning is a risk Madi’s willing to take. Deep down, there’s no resisting this group of middle-aged tennis amateurs. It’s the idiosyncratic charm of this band of misfits that makes the goofy nature of First One In work despite its shortcomings. Standout performances from Emy Coligado as the uncoordinated yet tenacious CeeCee, and the always reliable Catherine Curtin as veteran tennis aficionado Jane, round out an ensemble that elevates their screwball sports material.
First One In takes a long time to find its comedic rhythm, with certain scenes a downright awkward mess. Moreover, shoehorning a best friend character (played by Alana O’Brien) for added protagonist support when there’s already a surplus from the Acme tennis group is overkill. Meanwhile, Bobbi’s derisive outbursts recall memorable “mean girl” villains from the early 2000s golden age of comedy. With a tad more dialogue polishing and quippy originality, Bobbi Mason would be a formidable movie nemesis to contend with. As it stands, team chemistry among these eccentric, fantastic group of women is the empowering fuel keeping First One In running despite frequent sputters.
