My First Mister

2001

1h 49m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

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Comedy

Drama

Romance

Leelee Sobieski is brash, abrasive and vulnerable as a teenage child of divorce who hides her pain behind a mask of hard-edged gothic rebellion. Albert Brooks plays a man who is her total opposite, a precise and well-ordered menswear store owner of forty-nine who manages limited expectations and protects lonely secrets with pleasant ritual and quiet, ironic reserve. These two total opposites collide in conflict then come together in a surprising alliance, changing each other's lives forever.

Directors

Christine Lahti

Writers

Jill Franklyn(writer by)

Stars

Albert Brooks

Leelee Sobieski

Desmond Harrington

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Videos1

Trailer
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Photos14

Top cast

Randall ("R")

Jennifer ("J")

Randy

Mrs. Benson

Patty (Nurse)

Bob

Woman at Apartment

Girl in Vintage

Jack Taylor (Salesman)

Mr. Smithman

Doctor

Blaine (Surfer Boy)

Customer

Benjamin

Woman at R's Store

Manager

Bebe

Sheila

Directors

Christine Lahti

Writers

Jill Franklyn(writer by)

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Review

Featured review

7/10

**_Love is key to let down the mask and unite_** An alienated 17 years-old girl hiding behind piercings (Leelee Sobieski) applies for a job at a swank clothing store in a Los Angeles mall and starts an interesting relationship with the 49 years-old manager (Albert Brooks). But what’s the nature of their connection? The curiously titled "My First Mister" (2001) was Christine Lahti’s only directorial effort, as far as feature films go. It treads similar terrain as “Lawn Dogs” from four years earlier and does it better. Like that film, a few scenes come across a little awkward or unconvincing but, for the most part, it works and is more effective by comparison. The best of these types of movies, of course, is “Lost in Translation,” which came out two years later. Someone might balk that “Lost” takes a different direction and that’s obvious, but it doesn’t change the fact that these flicks tackle similar themes. They explore the nature of a profound connection between members of the opposite sex from different generations. Is it a spiritual connection in the sense of father/daughter or is it a romantic connection? If it’s the former, does that automatically omit any and all feelings of the latter? Needless to say, love is a powerful emotion and when a ‘love connection’ takes place, the participants have to be careful to channel such potent feelings in a positive direction. Otherwise, great destruction can occur. Be wise, my son; be careful, my daughter; and wonderful things can occur. As the proverb says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” It runs 1 hour, 49 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area, including Westfield Century City (mall), Venice and Santa Clarita. GRADE: B

Wuchak23 Sep, 2025