My First Mister (2001)

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

Director:

Christine Lahti

Writer:

Jill Franklyn

Stars:

Albert Brooks, Leelee Sobieski, Rutanya Alda

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Jennifer does not fit in. A total misfit, she's as wacky as a teenager can be. Goth-ed out with multiple piercings, tattoos, and dyed hair, she listens to strange music, watches vintage TV, eats primarily chocolate, and self injures. But now high school is over and she needs a job. Can she possibly have anything in common with the overweight middle-aged man in the haberdashery window? He gives her a job, not to mention a real friendship.

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Plot Keywords:

intergenerational friendship | teenage girl | goth girl | piercing | tattoo | 

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Taglines:

Mismatched. Misguided. Unmistakably friends.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual material

Did You Know?

Trivia

J has 4 copies of Anne Rice's "Interview With the Vampire" books on her table as well as The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy (erotic BDSM novels) by Anne Rice published under the pseudonym of A. N. Roquelaure. 'LeLe Sobieski', who plays J in My First Mister, purportedly auditioned for the role of Claudia in the film version of Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire but lost to Kirsten Dunst.

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Goofs

When J is talking to Randy from her car after first meeting him, the door is open from his point of view but closed from hers.

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Quotes

Randall ("R"): I'm old, I'm George Burns.
Jennifer ("J"): Who's George Burns?
Randall ("R"): I'm Uncle Fester, I'm Andy of Mayberry, I'm Mr. Roper, I'm Grandpa Munster.
Jennifer ("J"): Okay, okay, I get it.

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Connections

References Sybil (1976)

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Soundtracks

Attitude
(1999)
Written by Steve Proctor and Lindy Layton
Performed by Hardknox (as Hard Knox)
Courtesy of Jive Electro Records

User Reviews

She-he, Spring-Autumn, cry-laugh

A feel good weeper comedy/light-drama, "My First Mister" tells of the coming of age of a teenaged pin cushion goth female (Sobrieski) who's into self mutilation and talking to dead people and her platonic love affair with a middle aged conservative and phobic man (Brooks). In this flick about strange bedfellows and a Spring/Autumn relationship, Lahti turns the lens on the female character illuminating many of the insecurities which beset and befuddle teen females and proves once again on celluloid that love conquers all. As the film wears on it plateaus and becomes somewhat muddled by unnecessary quirky characters and an side plot about Brook's past in an apparent attempt to jerk the last tear and keep feel good moments coming. Nonetheless, rising star Sobrieski proves to be a capable and durable centerpiece for a film worth watching front to back.

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Classics

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

My First Mister

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$102,456, 14 October 2001

Gross USA:

$568,762

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$595,005

Company Credits

Production Co:

ApolloMedia Distribution, Carol Baum Productions, Film Roman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1