MY FIRST MISTER

 Christine Lahti has shown a directorial flair with a wonderful short film she made years ago. Her directorial debut for a feature film, “MY FIRST MISTER”, has just been released as a special edition from PARAMOUNT. 

 Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski star as two very different people tied together by their incredible loneliness.  Sobieski is a dark, brooding teen, from a middle-class upbringing with parents that either don’t seem to care or understand her.  Feeling disconnected from the world, her mom suggests she find a job.  While at the neighborhood mall, she meets Brooks, a salesman in a clothing store, and asks for a job. After various pleadings, Brooks gives her a chance.  The dialogue, pacing, acting, and writing during this early part of the film leaves one with the feeling that it’s going to be a fun, quirky comedy.  Unfortunately, the film’s tone becomes a drama that fails to surprise or entertain as it does in the first 30 minutes or so.  It’s not bad, but after such a good beginning, it’s hard not to be disappointed.  There is still a fair share of witty dialogue interspersed from time-to-time, but it should’ve remained a comedy.  

 PARAMOUNT has presented the film with its proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement.  The imagery is inventive, and it’s a slick looking picture throughout. While colors are a little subdued, they’re still fine and the film’s intentionally soft.. There’s no grain anywhere.  Fleshtones appear natural.  Contrast is fine, with deep grays and blacks.  .

The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is adequate, with the few directional effects delegated to the front soundstage. The surrounds only come into play in boosting the film’s score, which is effective though sparse. 

 Christine Lahti provides a running commentary as an option.  While not one of the best commentaries of recent years, aspiring filmmakers will benefit from her insight into the craft of filmmaking, as well as various challenges she had to undertake in this feature film debut.