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Rent My First Mister (2001)

Jennifer (Leelee Sobieski) is a 17-year-old Goth with multiple face-piercings and a fondness for graveyards. Randall (Albert Brooks) is a middle-aged salesman with an obsessively tidy life and a fear of anything new. When these two opposites collide, the chain reaction sparks a life-altering meltdown for them both in this wickedly perceptive,critically acclaimed comedy from director and actress Christine Lahti.

Desperate to escape the world of her infuriatingly cheery mother (Carol Kane) and mindless bimbo classmates, punk-rebel Jennifer impulsively applies for a job at Randall’s decidedly conservative clothing store. Soon, to their mutual shock and surprise, an unlikely friendship blooms. But even as Randall attempts to show Jennifer the possibilities of her own future, Jennifer discovers the extraordinary secret haunting Randall’s past. A wry, hilarious, powerfully emotional story of reaching out, making contact, and coping with the consequences.

Recent Reviews of My First Mister by our members

You rated this movie: 2

Reviewed by: JD
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My First Mister review by JD

Goth goes straight

(0) of (1) members found this review helpful.

It is not clear why this rebellious Goth falls for a camp, neurotic middle aged man. Unfortunate because this is the central and unremitting tenet of the film. This relationship is not particularly interesting and for the most part unbelievable, even though it is not that unusual. Some of the minor parts are very poorly acted. Very "Hollywood" in every regard.

I found this review:

You rated this movie: 4

Reviewed by: Shatner's Bassoon
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My First Mister review by Shatner's Bassoon

A sweet, gentle and touching film.

(0) of (0) members found this review helpful.

I didn’t really know what to expect from this film, and rented it purely on the basis on liking Christine Lahti as an actress and was intrigued to see a film directed by her, and what a wonderful little gem of a movie this is. The story revolves around the character of Jennifer (Leelee Sobieski), a dark and depressed 17 year old goth complete with tattoos, black makeup and piercings. She is miserable at school, feels misunderstood by her mother, stepfather and father, has no friends, and is desperately in need of someone she can relate to. That someone turns out to be the last person you'd expect, a 49 year old men's clothing store owner named Randall (Albert Brooks). After approaching him for a job he is reluctant to hire her, he eventually gives in and despite their age and lifestyle differences, the two find their dysfunctional lives are irreversibly changed for the better for having met. Luckily this doesn't turn into another ‘older guy, younger girl’ romance. Director Christine Lahti is too smart to let things get so stereotypical, and she’s also wise enough to let viewers discover the hidden depths in Randall and Jennifer, depths that might not surface if sex muddied the waters. Lahti also adds an understated style that charms without being overwhelming or too schmaltzy. Funny, tragic, and smart, this movie should be seen by anyone who wishes they'd make movies ‘like they used to’.