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The Debut

Play trailer Poster for The Debut R,  2001,  1h 28m,  Comedy/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 71% 24 Reviews Tomatometer 73% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
71% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 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.
The Debut

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter Nov 15, 2002
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. Go to Full Review
Lou Lumenick New York Post Oct 18, 2002
2/4
An earnest and predictable little indie. Go to Full Review
Lawrence Van Gelder New York Times Oct 17, 2002
3/5
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. Go to Full Review
Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media Jun 23, 2021
2/5
This indie coming-of-age and immigrant-experience story seems promising, but unfortunately isn't as good as it should be. Go to Full Review
Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008
3/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Oct 7, 2005
2/5
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The Debut

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Debut

Eddie Garcia, Dante Basco and Tirso Cruz in 5 Card Productions' The Debut. Roland (Tirso Cruz) serenades his daughter Rose (Bernadette Balagtas) and his wife (Gina Alajar) in 5 Card Productions' The Debut. Dante Basco and Joy Bisco in 5 Card Productions' The Debut. Birthday girl Rose (Bernadette Balagtas) is congratulated after the Singkil dance in 5 Card Productions' The Debut. Dion Basco, Darion Basco, Dante Basco and Derek Basco in 5 Card Productions' The Debut. Joy Bisco and Bernadette Balagtas in 5 Card Productions' The Debut. The Debut (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Lisa Onodera
Screenwriter
Gene Cajayon, John Manal Castro
Production Co
Celestial Pictures, Via Digital, 5 Card Productions, GMA Network Films, 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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