My First Mister (2001)
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53% of critics liked it
(79 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(5,128 ratings)
A first feature from acclaimed actress Christine Lahti (who won an Academy Award for her short film Lieberman in Love in 1995), My First Mister explores the delicate relationship between two unlikely individuals who bring each other out of their protective shells. Jennifer (Leelee Sobieski), the… More A first feature from acclaimed actress Christine Lahti (who won an Academy Award for her short film Lieberman in Love in 1995), My First Mister explores the delicate relationship between two unlikely individuals who bring each other out of their protective shells. Jennifer (Leelee Sobieski), the film's narrator, is a Goth-obsessed, tattooed 17-year old who absorbs herself in death-laden music and poetry. Just graduating from school and immersed in a dysfunctional relationship with her out-there mother (Carol Kane), she finds a job at a local clothing store as a clerk. Her boss, Randall Harris (Albert Brooks), is a rigid, middle-aged type, who becomes uncomfortable when Jennifer begins to spy on him and follow his moves. She then cleans up her act a bit and lands a position as a stockperson, and Randall begins to take an interest in her. After a few outings where they attempt to relate their lives to each other, they begin to become close friends, effectively building confidence and bridging their considerable age gap. Also included in the cast are Desmond Harrington, Mary Kay Place, and John Goodman as Jennifer's hippie father. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi
- Directed By
- Christine Lahti
- Written By
- Jill Franklyn
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Apr 1, 2002 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 23, 2002
- Studio
- Paramount Classics
Critic Reviews
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
A testament to both Sobieski and Brooks -- especially Brooks, who is Oscar-worthy here -- that we buy into their film's manipulative tendencies and its demands of unconditional acceptance.
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Sobieski's performance in this role pretty much kills off the film.
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Paul Tatara, CNN.com
Franklin's gooey, implausible script is too ridiculous to support unexpected bouts of sincerity, and the darkness is seldom as profound as it should be.
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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
The sort of movie with so little faith in itself that it falls back on that most dreadful of clichés: The Fatal Development A Little More than Halfway Through.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Although the movie has its moments, it's a tearjerker that jerks too hard.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Albert Brooks
as Randall ("R")
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Leelee Sobieski
as Jennifer ("J")
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Desmond Harrington
as Randy
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Carol Kane
as Mrs. Benson
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Mary Kay Place
as Patty [Nurse]
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Michael McKean
as Bob
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John Goodman
as Benjamin
- Pauley Perrette
- Rutanya Alda
