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Movies / On DVD / My First Mister
My First Mister

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My First Mister (2001)

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Reviews Counted:79

Fresh:42

Rotten:37

Average Rating:5.6/10

Consensus: Though well-acted, My First Mister succumbs to contrived sentimentality in its last half.

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: A rebellious teenage girl (Leilee Sobieski) who dresses in Gothic garb and wears harsh metal jewelry in the piercings that cover her face, finds a friend in a conservative middle-aged man (Albert... A rebellious teenage girl (Leilee Sobieski) who dresses in Gothic garb and wears harsh metal jewelry in the piercings that cover her face, finds a friend in a conservative middle-aged man (Albert Brooks) working in a men's clothing store. While the pair initially seem like total opposites, they soon learn that have a lot in common and can really relate to each other. Using a first-person narrative that is reminiscent of Wynona Ryder's unhappy teenagers in HEATHERS and GIRL INTERRUPTED, this film gives its full, uninterrupted attention to the cryptic mutterings of its protagonist, Jennifer (Sobieski). She has a vivid imagination and the ability to see the worst in everything. Her English teacher is evil and has fangs, her classmates are buxom bimbos who have recently undergone nose jobs, and her weird mother (when not talking about the benefits of women eating blood in the form of brisket for dinner) has friends that are fatter than elephants. Jennifer's visions are illustrated by distorted camera angles that make comedy of her exaggerations. But when Jennifer meets Randall (Brooks), a boring and equally pessimistic guy, her perspective changes. She wants him to accept her. And when he reaches out to her, she accepts him. MY FIRST MISTER therefore becomes a sweet story about friendship, self-motivation, and changing your life for the better. [More]

Starring: Leelee Sobieski, Albert Brooks, Desmond Harrington, John Goodman

Starring: Leelee Sobieski, Albert Brooks, Desmond Harrington, John Goodman, Carol Kane, Michael McKean, Mary Kay Place

Director: Christine Lahti

Director: Christine Lahti
Screenwriter: Jill Franklyn
Producer: Carol Baum, Sukee Chew, Jane Goldenring, Anne Kurtzman, Mitchell Solomon
Composer: Steve Porcaro
Studio: Paramount Classics

[See More Credits]

Reviews for My First Mister

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
N/R

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 29 2009 03:16 AM

Cinema Crazed

tomato
3/5

Rob Gonsalves

The actors earn the couple of salty drops you may shed at the end -- the script sure doesn't.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 25 2008 05:53 PM

eFilmCritic.com

splat
C

Emanuel Levy

Actress Lahti's feature directorial debut is a disappointingly sappy melodrama about the unlikely bond between a rebebllious high-school grad (Leelee Sobieski) and a dying older man (Albert Brooks).

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 29 2007 09:56 AM

EmanuelLevy.Com

splat
2.5/5

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 06 2005 08:05 PM

Film Threat

tomato
3.5/5

Clint Morris

A beautiful story about finding camaraderie, and ultimate love in the infrequent of places

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 07 2003 08:26 AM

Moviehole

tomato
3/4

David Nusair

...while Ghost World is, on the whole, a slightly better movie, My First Mister is nevertheless worth checking out mostly due to two incredible lead performances.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 10 2003 09:38 AM

Reel Film Reviews

splat
2.5/5

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 08 2002 08:28 AM

Film Threat

N/R

Jeff Strickler

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 06 2002 03:08 PM

Minneapolis Star Tribune

N/R

Jean Lowerison

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 21 2002 08:20 AM

San Diego Metropolitan

N/R

Robert Denerstein

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 09 2002 08:18 AM

Denver Rocky Mountain News

tomato
68/100

Scott Weinberg

Starts out as a deliriously original “odd couple” comedy, and then hangs a quick left turn into shameless tear jerking.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 09 2002 07:51 PM

Apollo Guide

tomato
7/10

JoBlo

A good small movie featuring a different kind of love story..

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 24 2002 08:13 AM

JoBlo's Movie Emporium

tomato
3/4

Jeremy Heilman

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 05 2002 08:13 AM

MovieMartyr.com

N/R

Barrett Hooper

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 04 2002 08:13 AM

eye WEEKLY

splat
2.5/4

Michael Dequina

The calculated sappiness does succeed in provoking a heightened reaction--but resentment and disgust is surely not what they had in mind.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 03 2002 02:59 AM

TheMovieReport.com

splat

Ethan Alter

A woefully underdeveloped story populated by unbelievable characters.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 09 2001 08:11 AM

Film Journal International

tomato
3/4

Jules Brenner

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 27 2001 08:12 AM

Cinema Signals

splat
C-

Eugene Novikov

There's a terrific movie somewhere inside Christine Lahti's My First Mister, but it's kept hidden by the trite trappings of a Lifetime movie-of- the-week.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 13 2001 12:52 PM

Film Blather

tomato
5

Karina Montgomery

She’s not just tattooed and surly and he’s not just geeky and stern - their characters are beautifully written and fleshed out gradually and admirably by the actors.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 30 2001 07:51 PM

Cinerina

tomato
4/5

Jim Lane

Brooks and Sobieski shine throughout.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 29 2001 12:53 PM

Sacramento News & Review

 
 
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Latest News for My First Mister

August 20, 2001: 'I would never make a movie about a sexual relationship between an older man and a young girl,' says actor-turned-director Christine Lahti. Opens in new window
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