First Time Felon

First Time Felon

There's his way or the hard way. One guard. One inmate. One chance for redemption.

Directed by Charles S. Dutton

Produced by Spring Creek Pictures, HBO

1997110 min6.9 / 10

A straightforward redemption drama about a drug dealer who chooses boot camp over prison and transforms himself through discipline and perseverance.

Inspired by the true story of Greg Yance. In the film, Yance (Epps) is a hood who goes to jail for possession of drugs. He is given a choice: 5 years in jail or a couple of months in boot camp. He chooses boot camp and finds out it is tougher than he thought it would be. He braves it through and comes home a better man. He then has to deal with the real world, and never gives up no matter what the odds.

Questions people ask

  • Does First Time Felon end with hope? Yes. More hopeful than 81% of films.

  • Is First Time Felon easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 62% of films.

  • Is First Time Felon sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is First Time Felon violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is First Time Felon scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

73/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Distinctly its own thing.

Rarity80

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise75

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love65

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like First Time Felon

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as First Time Felon

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like First Time Felon, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like First Time Felon, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like First Time Felon, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

Share thisXBlueskyReddit