This movie is very cool if you like alternative, angst ridden teenagers trying to do good. The title is awfully deceptive because there is nothing illegitimate about the "older guy - younger girl" relationship at all - here's a short synopsis: Alternative goth chick meets conservative store manager. Neither of them have a life outside of work so they slowly learn to hang out together. The rest kind of falls into place as they see how "the other half" lives, and make each other better people. Great movie to watch with your parents (no drugs or sex) and sweet for an pick-me-up kind of movie. The soundtrack is cool too - it has the great older tunes like Sinatra and such - along with some Marilyn Manson and then some reggae as well.
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callaway763 April 2005
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claudio_carvalho8 September 2006Jennifer Benson (Leelee Sobieski) is a seventeen years old misfit punk teenager that uses piercing, tattoos, wears only black clothes and dyed hair, self-inflicts injures and has fixation for death. She misses a father and a normal mother, since Mrs. Benson (Carol Kane) has trouble in the communication with her, and feels absolutely rejected. While looking for a job, she meets the forty-nine years old Randall Harris (Albert Brooks), a lonely man who owns a shopping store, and he hires her. They are opposites but with loneliness and lack of friends in common. They become close friends, and their interaction changes their behavior for good while secrets and feelings are disclosed.
This is the second work of the excellent underrated actress Christine Lahti as director that I see (the other one is the short "Lieberman in Love"), and also a surprisingly great movie. The original and the Brazilian titles are simply awful and vulgar, and do not mirror this sensitive story of loneliness and friendship. Leelee Sobieski has another great performance in the role of a disturbed and rebellious teenager, needy of love and care, who changes her behavior when she meets her soul-mate friend in a middle-age man. I am not fan of Albert Brooks, but he is great performing Randall Harris, the man who touches Jennifer in the heart. In the end, a toast to all special "F" words: to friends, family, fate, forgiveness and forever. Wonderful and touching! My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Meu Primeiro Homem" ("My First Man") -
=G=24 April 2002A 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.
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crypticcrytic27 October 2001If 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 -
This is a modern morality tale for the GOP. In the film's first half, isolated goth leelee lifts an entertaining finger to her family, school and the world. Sure, everything is exaggerated to make a point, so it isn't at all realistic. Also, she's such a sweetie, even in the darkest moments: no room for the real world of genuinely dislikeable people. Her absent father from hell is John Goodman, hardly a credible hate figure. Her problem of course is no-one understands her - she even talks to her dead grandmother for company. Of course, she falls like a brick for the first nice person she comes across (older man with moustache and other issues). So, typical problems, lacking all realism and laid on with a shovel. Still, all great fun, as she cocks a snook at the world with some great one liners and you forgive the surrealism, a bit like Desperately Seeking Susan.
Where it all goes pear shaped is in part II, where she on a whim or two rapidly gets a job, has a great boss, cleans up, gets a flat, brings a family together, finds a nice boyfriend, comforts a dying man and reconciles with her family. As there is no inherent drama or observation of reality, the sudden lurch into motherhood, apple pie and family values becomes a simple homily. Hasn't this director read Voltaire's Candide? Pass the sick bag, Alice. -
rj-2728 January 2004When deliberating why one story will resonate within oneself over another, you have to be honest about your own perspective on the things that are truly important in life, and those things that are tossed out with the garbage.
While the relationship between J and R is hinted at being more than merely platonic, it is only implied. The far greater impact lies in the strength of two disparate individuals finding self-worth and importance in the existence of another who finds them attractive to be with.
An older man will always find flattering the attention of an attractive (much) younger female, even if he cannot relate to her point of view on life. It helps that J is written in as witty and intelligent vs. say, something from out of "Clueless".
It is somewhat less believable that a Gothic teenager would find an overweight, past middle-aged man attractive - except that the reason J finds R attractive has less to do with appearance and everything to do with the level of trust and respect he shows her after some initial verbal sparring, that really is quite believable. He affords her something that she simply is not expecting. You can imagine this happening.
Being accepted as you are and for who you are is the basis for all honest and lasting relationships. On this point the movie scores a bullseye.
LeeLee Sobieski is a real talent. Yes, she does look like Helen Hunt, but that is where the similarity ends.
Albert Brooks has always had a manner of delivering his lines as though he is making an appeal to his listener's better sense. He is a much under-appreciated comedic talent.
A high recommendation for "My First Mister". -
ReadingFilm9 June 2022The first half is very beautiful. A mall goth and middle aged man form a bond. This was going to be a classic. The second half. Ugh. Some are related. Some have this or that condition. No stone is left unturned. The writer overthinks it and kills his premise. They should watch Japanese films where they make films like this in their sleep. Those go in melodramatic directions too. But we miss the gentle minimalism. To its credit in 2001 no one knew a thing. They were figuring it out.
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DaveZ29 April 2002I think the first hour of this film is the most enjoyable thing I've seen in a long time. Great plot, characters and acting. Sobieski and Brooks make their characters real people, not stereotypes.
The last 45 minutes are a little melodramatic for my tastes, but by that time I was so invested in the characters, I stuck with the film. The ending is a little ambiguous, which seems much more plausible than a typical "Hollywood ending". -
darwin-1311 January 2004I watched the movie on Sundance Cable T.V. network and throughly enjoyed it.
I have never been an Albert Brooks fan in the past, but every movie he has written, directed or acted in has ranked very high with the critics. You can count me as a new fan.
Anyway, the movie has a descent uplifting story to be told.
After watching the movie, I asked myself if would be likely for something like this story to actually happen.
Watch it, that is if you have the opportunity. -
Buff200125 July 2002I got this DVD only because of the two leads who are two of my favorites. I expected another crappy film like Ghost World which on my scale was a -5.
I was pleasantly surprised to find a really good effort and an enjoyable, meaningful movie. Kudos to the actors and especially Christine Lahti who showed that she is just as good behind the camera as in front of it.
She successfully created a cross-generational movie. See this whatever your age! -
SnoopyStyle13 March 2016Jennifer Wilson (Leelee Sobieski) is a goth misfit and a loner at school. Her mother (Carol Kane) is divorced and remarried to Bob (Michael McKean). She doesn't get along with her father Benjamin (John Goodman). Technically, she's still a virgin and never had a boyfriend. She wants to make enough money to move out. She asks Randall Harris (Albert Brooks) for a job at his menwear store and he gives her the job as long as she gets rid of the hardware.
I really like these two characters. They are both appealing and wonderfully lonely people. It's funny at times. It does get into trouble when first time director Christine Lahti tries to be edgy. The imaginary sequences are not good enough and it screams trying too hard. I would rather she direct this more straight. It works best simply with Brooks and Sobieski. The rest is more or less distracting. -
I was not ready for such a powerful, intelligent, and intricately detailed film. I had just assumed this would be another Hollywood schlock-fest featuring the dry humor of Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski attempting to reconnect with a teenie-bopper audience. I was wrong. This was such a strong film that dedicated itself to developing strong characters, to giving us honest emotions, and providing us a story that is not unfamiliar in the "real" world that it nearly left my jaw hanging on the ground. From the opening moments in which we are focused directly on the life of Jennifer (aka "J") to the unrecognizable change to following Randall (aka "R") My First Mister will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you realize that friendship is stronger than the clothes you wear or the amount of piercings on you face. Through the use of Brooks' "every man" persona and Sobieski's attention to detail with her character, this film gives us a rare glimpse into Lahti's near-perfect film.
What initially pulled me into this film was the untraditional Hollywood story that scribe Jill Franklyn unfolds before us. I assumed, prior to watching the film that this was going to be a sexual film mocking the taboos of age in our society. From the completely baffling byline, one could only assume that we were about to experience an early version of Thirteen, but Lahti and Franklyn do something rather unexpected. The idea of sex is placed in front of us early in the film and prior to the climax, but it isn't the central focus. By building this film around the premise of friendship instead of sex, Lahti creates a unique and poignant film about other cultural taboos in our society. She eliminates the idea of sex and gives us two strong-willed characters that, perhaps in another life, may have had a sexual relationship, but now are just seeking companionship and comfort. What brings a smile to my face with this story is the way that it is developed. Lahti nearly teases us with the idea of a sexual story several times, but instead builds a solid foundation around friendship. She makes us, the audience, feel as if we are meeting two friends for the first time. By eliminating sex, she pulls us deeper within the characters allowing us to see the true "love" that is obviously between these visual opposites. I use the word "visual" because we do not believe their connection at first because of the clothes that they wear. A Goth girl befriends Mr. Rogers? Society would tell us that this could never happen, but the Lahti persuades us by giving us two of the strongest characters to play against each other in modern cinematic history.
I realize that others would argue that there have been stronger matching in Hollywood long before Brooks and Sobieski, which I would agree of classic Hollywood, but recently (basically 80s to present) it is hard to find two actors that seem to compliment each other like a great cheese and aged red wine. Sobieski dove, head first, into her character giving "J" mannerisms and characteristics that seemed pure and researched. I felt as if Sobieski was one of those misunderstood Goths that I had class with in school. From the poetry, the eye movements when speaking, and the overall self-abusive negativity that she has against herself as well as those around her. She patiently waits for the right person to enter her insane life and finds that with Brooks. For those seeking his typical sarcasm and wry attitude, My First Mister may disappoint. Albert Brooks contains himself in this film. He does so to the point that midway through the feature I forgot that it was funnyman Brooks. He amazingly transforms himself into an older version, in a khaki color, of "J". The two play so well off each other that as an audience member you have the chance to enjoy both the acting as well as a very strongly developed story about family and friendship.
I have talked about the story, I have talked about the characters, but none of this would have been possible if it were not for the brilliant direction behind the camera and the talented eye of minimal director Christine Lahti. At first I was unsure of how well she would be able to handle such a deeply emotional topic, if she would cliché the characters and fill their mouths with remedial dialogue that would be painful to both the eyes and ears, but instead she remained calm, cool, and completely collective throughout the entire film. It was obvious that she had done her homework prior to each scene and before each take. She had the control of her actors, which developed into some great on-screen chemistry, as well as she knew how to tactfully take us to the next emotional level. Sure, it wasn't perfect (the ending seemed a bit tattered), but Lahti remained focused and even cleverly changed the focus throughout the film with the greatest of ease. I was surprised to see that Lahti has not directed more after this project, because it was obvious that her talent was behind the camera.
Overall, I thought My First Mister was a sensational film. We had a superb cast that complimented each other so well that we could easily forget that we were watching a film. We had a story that spoke emotionally and socially about friendship and family on more than just a "June Cleaver" level. Finally, we had a director that was not afraid to take risks and do her homework. This story works on so many levels that to begin to unravel it would take more time than allowed. I suggest this film strongly because it will make you think twice about passing judgment on someone due to their clothes or piercing habits, who knows where friendship could erupt!
Grade: **** out of ***** -
sandysdharma8 January 2006I have to confess that I enjoy anything Albert Brooks does, whether as writer or director or actor, and this movie was no exception. The friendship between Brooks the older man and the young woman stuck in "Goth" mode was portrayed pretty realistically, as if between real people, once you accept the premise that it could happen at all. Carol Kane was funny in a touching way as the mother who wants so much to be a part of her alienated daughters life that she just keeps trying and trying no matter how much her daughter rejects her advances. Nice to see a picture that, like "Lost In Translation" depicts friendship between an older man and a younger woman without sexual themes.
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jeff66728 October 2001LeeLee Sobieski is the Meryl Streep to be of her generation. All of us who call themselves fans of hers are anxiously waiting for the breakout role that will catapult her to the A-list stardom her talent deserves.
Sadly, we will have to keep waiting.
My First Mister is a very well meaning first time feature from Christine Lahti. The material she has chosen would make for an interesting ABC Afterschool Special movie, but the quality of the writing certainly demands less talent than Albert Brooks and LeeLee Sobieski, who strain to reduce the amount of schmaltz and syrup written for them and flesh out well-rounded characters.
I think the story is a very good one, and some judicious re-writing would have made a world of difference. For example, little time is spent in exposition for the character of Randall, who though portrayed as boring and staid, has a rather deep inner life with regret over his marriage breakup and a secret he keeps hidden from everyone, and more situations could have been written to introduce his character. The movie centers around Jennifer, and Randall's introduction seems done only as a device to add plot to Jennifer's character study.
If you have a teenage daughter, it might be a good idea to see this movie with her. I know lots of girls from high school and college who could have used a hero like Jennifer, who in the end lets go of her gothic pretensions and finds real love. LeeLee Sobieski does better than any other actress could have with this script, and Albert Brooks is always a wizard with the spoken word.
It's not necessary to see this film in the theatre, but I do suggest it on video. -
JohnDeSando20 October 2001May to December can be the cruelest months if they're about a relationship between a young woman and an older man. `American Beauty' and more recently `Ghost World' carried the usual criticism of this socially questionable alliance, from downright damage in the former to uncertainty about how it could ever work in the latter.
In `My First Mister,' starring Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski, the union works so beautifully in the first half of the film I thought even I could try it. Director Christine Lahti, who won an Oscar for best short film, "Lieberman in Love," concentrates on the flowering friendship between a Goth girl who needs a friend and a job and a 49 year-old haberdasher who has jettisoned everyone in order to live out his life painlessly for everyone.
Jill Franklyn, who wrote the "Yada Yada" episode of "Seinfeld," pens perfect lines for the understated Brooks, such as when he first sees Sobieski: "Scram. Shoo. Why don't you go get your eyeballs pierced?" and another time when he says, "I want the smallest tattoo you have. Can you give me a dot, or a period?"
Director Lahti shows her originality by letting us painfully and slowly watch a purple-haired Sobieski pull out her nose and face rings. This film is the best I have ever seen to give respect to a much-maligned paring in movies. The 17-year-old punker helps him awaken to life's interesting couplings like cavorting mannequins, and he shows her love unalloyed. When the time comes for sex, as it always does in Hollywood, no one cares, even the audience, because the point is the friendship.
In the second half of the film Lahti lets go of her originality to indulge the genre with the usual fatal twist, easy reconciliation of family, and renewal for Sobieski found in a most unbelievable coincidence. Yet I can't forget that first half, where 2 human beings, unencumbered by any expectation other than their own need for connection, follow none of the formulas but love on its own terms. -
Quinoa198425 October 2001My First Mister, a good and often well-written and acted film, stars Leelee Sobieski, one of the best new actresses of late, co-stars as a lonley and alienated goth type girl with a lot of personal baggage. Enter Albert Brooks as a men's clothing salesman in a mall who becomes her boss after she comes by the store for a job. Then starts a relationship between the two not in sexual terms, but as a second family type of one (her family is quite distant from her, he doesn't even have a family anymore). The first two acts are quite good, sometimes a little over-emotional but in check and well paced. The third act starts to go downhill though with corniness and an amount of unbelievability pulling the film down (it is almost as if writer Franklyn didn't know where to go). But at least the bulk of the film is a good show to pass the time; Brooks fans won't be dissapointed and Sobieski is also a note of big interest. B+
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Darkest_Rose7 February 2003My First Mister is about a gothic and angry teenage girl named "J"(Leelee Sobieski). She doesn't have any friends, hates her family, you might as well put it that she hates her life. One day while she is looking for a job, she stumbles upon "R"(Albert Brooks) a 49 year old man with a beer belly. "R" turns out to give "J" a job at his store and the two of them turn out to be friends and what is next is a wonderful friendship that could last a lifetime and change both "R" and "J" and the way they feel about life. I really enjoyed My First Mister, it was clever, funny and very interesting. It kind of reminded me of Ghost World. I would give My First Mister 9/10
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stacymr1 September 2002Okay so I can't exactly tell you why, but I'm a big fan of Christine Lahti. My First Mister only deepened my admiration. I think she's cut from a mold a few steps outside of Hollywood yet not quite to Lifetime. The result is always kinda quirky, kinda predictable, but overall enjoyable. Carol Kane is great here, as always, and you have an amazing cast of supporting character actors surrounding our heroes, Leelee and Albert. Both do a great job, especially Albert, I'm convinced he's a genius, despite appearing in not quite funny movies on occasion. Get this movie when you need a not so complex breath of fresh air, I think you'll be pleased. ( And yes if you want the complex breath of fresh air get Ghost World).
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beresfordjd15 May 2008What a great surprise this movie was. I sat down to watch it with no expectations. I was almost instantly hooked and when Brooks made his entrance I could not switch off. Beautifully written and played, Lahti directs with a sure touch and sensitivity not often found in modern movies. The relationship between the two leads is outstandingly portrayed and totally believable due to the way the whole thing is handled. My only criticism is the title of the movie. Together with the synopsis it seems the movie is going to be sleazy and not a little tacky. Maybe it could have been called "J & R" or almost anything else other than "My First Mister". I have not seen too many Albert Brooks movies but I will certainly search some more out. I loved him in this. A very underrated actor and an extremely underrated movie. Why has it been overlooked by the academy and critics and general public?
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walking_bread6 May 2002The parallels between this film and Ghost World abound. In Ghost World's defense, it was directly linked to a comic and succeeded in being artistically blessed. On the other hand, 1st Mister is so real and true that your heart gets an exercise (and how often does that happen?).
Other than the artistic versus real comparison, 1st Mister spends much time with the departed. You may not want to view if you are in the throws of experiencing the pitfalls of life.
Is it me, or are more films subject matter about mortality due to baby boomers looking straight down the barrel at their own? Part of the previous sentence is quoted from a comment made by Tom Petty the musician, when he was providing a life view of approaching his 50th birthday, but there were no plans to stop rockin. Rock on Tom! -
rulo_acu11 October 2003First I fall in love of Leelee when a i saw those blue eyes, second, what a movie, a movie that make you think in friendship, fraternal love, family and stereotypes....
I saw the movie on TV, it's a shame that in Mexico the only films that arrive from USA are the extremely commercial films, and films like this only on tv... -
jes-se13 January 2004I enjoyed the movie but I didn't agree with the ending.
J falls in love with R until she meets his son, then just seems to migrate to liking R's son more than R. I don't think that a father and son that grew up away from each other would be that much alike. The only thing I can guess is that she transfers her love from R to his son because she realizes that R doesn't have much longer to live and is so much older. -
Darguz1 February 2004Friends, family, fate...forever. A wonderfully compelling and very touching movie, on all counts. A story of trust, truth, reaching, communicating, needing people. See this. That's really all I have to say, but the computer tells me I need another line, so here you have it, plus a bonus line. Enjoy, computer.
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Rebellious teen, 17 year old Jennifer (Leelee Sobieski) loses her clothing job she seeks for another. At the same time, viewers witness her clashes with her mom, (Carol Kane) and her step dad and her actual dad (John Goodman). With the frequent piercings, wearing black outfits she goes and tries to apply to work at another clothing store this time men's suits for a guy named Randalf (Albert Brooks). At first, he is hesitant, since she has many piercings and so forth, but he eventually agrees as long as she doesn't interact with the customers, so he has her working at the back room.. When she takes the liberty to attempt to making a sale while wearing the black Gothic clothing, he tells her she can work on sales as long as she changes her clothing removing the piercings that aligns with the store. She removes all piercings leaving one on her nose as well as wear the clothing he would recommend her to wear. And it was at this point the rapport between the store manager, Randalf and the co-worker Jennifer begins.
(Spoilers)
When it was first indicated Randalf's health begin to crumble, it was soon discovered he also had a son he never even knew about. It was at this point I was thinking, who is running the suit business? Who is the new manager if he is indisposed? And because Jennifer was like just a rookie worker in comparison to the other workers how come she appears to be financially secured? How come the other workers who also has faithfully worked for him had neither seen nor visited him at the hospital at all? Although, I have no problem with the relationship between the 2 leads, the film tends to ignore the other players who may or may not have been involved in Randalf's life like the rapport with the lady who makes lunch for him when he was working in the store. Directed by the actress Christine Lahti, the movie could have been much more credible had it covered those questions. Te passing rating was the result of the acting and the 2 leads. -
rosscinema24 September 2002This film is exactly like "Life as a House" and just as cliche riddled but I do have to say that Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski really do have good chemistry and the scenes of them together are nicely played out. Sobieski has that fresh young quality that is appealing and of course Brooks has always been terrific. But then all of the sudden they drop the bomb on the audience....He's dying! I guess we are all suppose to go "AAWWWW"!!!!! Well I don't fall that easily for sympathetic plot devices. What a contrived angle to the story. I think they were on the right path with two lonely (But different) people meeting and striking up a friendship but then this film completely drowns in its predictable contrivances.