My First Mister (2001)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Christine Lahti

Writer (WGA):

Jill Franklyn (written by)

Release Date:

26 October 2001 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Mismatched. Misguided. Unmistakably friends.

Plot:

A 17-year-old girl has a troubled relationship with a 49-year-old man.

Plot Keywords:

Tattoo | Piercing | High School | Death | Gothic

Cast

Rutanya Alda	...	Woman at Apartment
Natasha Braisewell	...	Girl in Vintage
Albert Brooks	...	Randall - 'R'
Henry Brown	...	Jack Taylor - Salesman
Gary Bullock	...	Mr. Smithman
Kevin Cooney	...	Doctor
Nic Costa	...	Blaine - Surfer Boy
William Forward	...	Customer
John Goodman	...	Benjamin
Desmond Harrington	...	Randy
Shawn Huff	...	Woman at R's Store
Carol Kane	...	Mrs. Benson
Michael McKean	...	Bob
Chadwick Palmatier	...	Manager
Pauley Perrette	...	Bebe

Also Known As:

Mein erster richtiger Freund (Germany) (TV title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual material.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:12 | Spain:13 | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Century City Shopping Center - 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

ApolloMedia

Trivia:

Michael McKean and 'Christine Lahti' worked together before. They were in rehearsals for a partly-improvised comedy film titled "Kiss the Bride." The project never came to the silver screen. It would have been directed by Bob Balaban.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Reflected in the glass of the VW Beetle as it's being towed by the pickup truck.

Quotes:

Randy Harris, Jr.: Wanna come up for lunch?
Jennifer ("J"): [Immitating Randy] I'll eat but I'm not talking.
Jennifer ("J"): [about "R"] And we didn't do it, okay! He's just the greatest person I met in my entire life!
Randy Harris, Jr.: Turkey and swiss okay?

Movie Connections:

References "Knots Landing" (1979)

Soundtrack:

Don't Look Now

One of those small but enormous things

If you asked me why I saw this particular film I'd like to tell you that I've seen all of Christine Lahti's films. Truth be told, it's because I'm middle aged white guy with a bad sense of humor and I live vicariously through Albert Brooks. Look at these character contrasts: young girl-old man, freak-straight, red-gray, latte-sanka, rap-jazz, pierced/tattooed-not either. And now the similarities- two lonely relationally challenged, uncommunicative, sarcastic.that feels better. We meet a poet-eulogist Jennifer portrayed by an almost unrecognizable LeLe Sobieski. Self described as "not a girl, but opposite a boy," Jennifer's self-mutilation clearly punctuates her pain. Her art is self-focused until she finds a purpose larger than herself. A Chaplin-esque Randall Harris (Albert Brooks) is introduced dressing a female mannequin. Jennifer's looking at him backward thru binoculars bothers him. This gives her perspective and the opportunity to fantasize. As their relationship develops his intentions seem noble - or repressed - and hers exploratory - and expressed. Controversial? Only in subtext since the age difference will raise questions and eyebrows. And there's the absent father issues. Comedic elements include distorted visuals, costumes, makeup and dialogue. The relationship is treated with such sensitivity - well as much as can be expected when dealing with an alienated teen and it speaks to the emptiness we feel when we're walking around among aliens. "Who do you talk to? Who are your friends?" asks Randall but like most accusatory questions, he could well direct it his own way. At the end of the film, you'll find a toast to go into your repertoire. Watch for it. This quirky film is a must see for all who need a refreshing look at relationships and personal growth. And who among us doesn't?

CyCy