My First Mister

 

My First Mister 2001

• Director: Christine Lahti
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Leelee Sobieski, Albert Brooks, Henry Brown, John Goodman, Carol Kane, Mary Kay Place
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Leelee Sobieski – Public Enemies, Night Train, The Glass House, Deep Impact
• Albert Brooks – Drive, Taxi Driver
• Henry Brown – Mortdecai, Avengers, Contagion, Proof, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Shakespeare in Love, Sliding Doors
• John Goodman – Atomic Blonde, Kong Skull Island, Inside Llewyn Davis, Dancing on the Edge, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Artist, O Brother Where Art Thou, The Big Lebowski, Sea of Love, Raising Arizona
• Carol Kane – Thanks for Sharing
• Mary Kay Place – Lonesome Jim, Human Nature, Girl Interrupted, Being John Malkovich, Citizen Ruth
• Why? The director
• Seen: Once before. Now 12 July 2023      

       J (Sobieski) is a sullen tattooed, pierced, black leather clad Goth outsider. She hates her suburban existence, longs for a boyfriend, writes obituaries about herself, and shoplifts.

       Chance brings her together with middle-aged, pedantic Randall (Brooks), manager of a gentlemen’s clothing store. Something connects them and after telling her to get rid of the silver in her face she can start working in the shop.

       She’s 17. He’s 49. She cuts herself. He’s lonely and afraid. They cautiously decide to try to be friends. To share – music (not successful), memories (painful). It’s not easy, but of course….

       Clichés, yes, contrived, yes, but quirky enough to work. Mostly. 

3 ½ * of 5