Humorous, inspiring, and surprisingly heartbreaking, this low budget ($1,100 to be exact) documentary follows Hollywood hopeful Brian Herzlinger's attempt to get a date Drew Barrymore, who he has adored since childhood. While low-level industry jobs have left Brian's bank account empty, his creative ambitions remain intact. After winning the grand prize on a pilot game show (for giving the answer "Drew Barrymore"), Brian uses the winning money, his creative friends, every possible film-world connection, and Circuit City's generous 30-day return policy on video equipment to document his against-all-odds mission in meticulous detail. Though his friends and family describe him as a great, funny guy, it is at first hard to imagine why a movie star like Drew would bother with this fumbling, self-described Average Joe. Starting off small, MY DATE WITH DREW initially offers viewers little hope that its director/star will get his sought-after date, much less result in a coherent documentary. But as the film moves along, the viewer feels the odds changing. Over time, Brian's onscreen personality starts to match the magnetic one described by his friends and family--his funny, hopeful, and genuine charm appeals to the dreamer in everyone. Brian's awkward quirks and insecurities provide plenty of amusing moments, and make him an empathetic character. The point of Brian's quest becomes not only to get a date with Drew Barrymore, but to really see his idea through, no matter what the end result may be. What matters here is not so much whether or not Herzlinger and Drew ever meet, but rather that he succeeds in going for his dream--proving that getting out there and taking a chance is where it all begins.
Theatrical Release: AUGUST 5, 2005 (LIMITED)
DVD Features:
Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Additional Release Material:
Trailers
Filmaker Featurette
Interactive Features:
Scnene Access
Stars
Drew Barrymore: American actress and producer
Brian Herzlinger: Director, MY DATE WITH DREW (2005)
Corey Feldman: American actor, GOONIES, THE LOST BOYS, FRIDAY THE 13TH IV:
Eric Roberts: American Actor, STAR 80
John Mann: MERCY STREETS
Director
Brian Herzlinger: Director, MY DATE WITH DREW (2005)
Brett Winn: Director, MY DATE WITH DREW (2005)
Jon Gunn: MERCY STREETS
Producer
Clark Peterson:
Kerry David: Executive Producer, AGENT CODY BANKS (2003)
Jon Gunn: MERCY STREETS
Brett Winn: Director, MY DATE WITH DREW (2005)
Brian Herzlinger: Director, MY DATE WITH DREW (2005)
Music
Steven M. Stern: Music, D.E.B.S. (2005)
Music
Stuart Hall: Music, MY DATE WITH DREW (2005)
Review 1:
"MY DATE WITH DREW is a classic crowd-pleaser. It's a documentary made on a shoestring by amateurish film-school grads, and its appeal rests on the likability of the neurotic but affable main character, who is a man obsessed."
Source: USA Today
p.4E 08/05/2005
Review 2:
"[A] revealing examination of the protective shell that surrounds Hollywood royalty."
Source: New York Times
p.E12 08/05/2005