A rebellious teenage girl (Leilee Sobieski) who dresses in Gothic garb and wears harsh metal jewelry in the piercings that cover her face, finds a friend in a conservative middle-aged man (Albert Brooks) working in a men's clothing store. While the pair initially seem like total opposites, they soon learn that have a lot in common and can really relate to each other.

Using a first-person narrative that is reminiscent of Wynona Ryder's unhappy teenagers in HEATHERS and GIRL INTERRUPTED, this film gives its full, uninterrupted attention to the cryptic mutterings of its protagonist, Jennifer (Sobieski). She has a vivid imagination and the ability to see the worst in everything. Her English teacher is evil and has fangs, her classmates are buxom bimbos who have recently undergone nose jobs, and her weird mother (when not talking about the benefits of women eating blood in the form of brisket for dinner) has friends that are fatter than elephants. Jennifer's visions are illustrated by distorted camera angles that make comedy of her exaggerations. But when Jennifer meets Randall (Brooks), a boring and equally pessimistic guy, her perspective changes. She wants him to accept her. And when he reaches out to her, she accepts him. MY FIRST MISTER therefore becomes a sweet story about friendship, self-motivation, and changing your life for the better.

Theatrical Release: OCTOBER 26, 2001 (NY/LA)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Christine Lahti - Director
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

Leelee Sobieski: American Film and Television Actress
Albert Brooks: Actor/writer/director
Desmond Harrington: Actor
John Goodman: American Film/TV Actor
Carol Kane: Simka Gravas of TV's "Taxi"
Michael McKean: American actor, THIS IS SPINAL TAP, LAVERNE & SHIRLEY
Mary Kay Place: American actress, MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN

Christine Lahti: American Actress/Director, SWING SHIFT (1984)

Carol Baum: 
Sukee Chew: Producer, MY FIRST MISTER (2001)
Jane Goldenring: Producer, MY FIRST MISTER (2001)
Anne Kurtzman: Producer, MY FIRST MISTER (2001)
Mitchell Solomon: Producer, MY FIRST MISTER

Jill Franklyn: Screenwriter, MY FIRST MISTER (2001)

Steve Porcaro: 

Wendy Greene Bricmont: Editor, MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND (2006)

"...Brooks's comic timing is in the pink of health..."