My Date with Drew

My Date with Drew is a documentary that follows Brian Herzlinger’s quest to get a date with Drew Barrymore. It sounds like a creepy, stalker story, I know. But somehow, it manages to come off sweet. Brian is realistic about his chances of getting this to happen – slim to none. He also doesn’t expect for Drew to fall madly in love with him if he does manage to get the date, even though he is a fairly attractive guy and he and Drew are about the same age. He’s just always felt a special bond to her since seeing her in E.T., The Extra Terrestrial, and wants only to meet her and have a chance to hang out with her, even if just for a few hours.

The film hinges on a quote from Drew: “If you don’t take risks, you’ll have a wasted soul.” And it reaffirms this message beautifully. The film is great for this. It’s not about this guy who wants to meet this actress. It’s about taking a risk for whatever it’s worth. If Brian meets Drew, will it make the world a better place? Maybe it will. Maybe because he faces this challenge, he’s able to face others. Maybe it gives him more confidence. Maybe it will inspire others to do the same. Sometimes little leaps of faith can lead to great things.

I began watching this film with a healthy dose of cynicism, thinking that Brian’s ambition to meet Drew was shallow and twisted. But by the end, I was inspired. And it made me ponder if anyone can really judge anyone else’s dreams? By what do we measure what is worthwhile and what isn’t?

Watch My Date with Drew and see what answers you create.

Grade: A

The Movie Hero

This film follows Blake (Sisto) who believes his life is a movie. The tagline of the film sums it up nicely: “Your audience is watching. Be the Hero.”

Blake talks to the camera in the classic style of the film character being aware of the audience. What makes this film unique is that is the whole point of the movie. It’s not the usual wink and nod designed to make the audience relate to the character more while poking fun at the surrealism of the medium of film. It’s not, “I’m going to be living out this story and talking to you occasionally because that’s funny.” It’s, “I’m talking to you and that is the story.”

The Movie Hero is a film geek homage. It discusses every action in terms of what a good film should be. The hero should be likeable, but vulnerable. If he’s not likeable, the audience won’t relate to him. If he’s not vulnerable or flawed, the audience won’t relate to him. The story has to have certain elements to keep the audience entertained and intrigued. There must be a villain. There should be a love interest. And so on and so on…. It’s entertaining and educational.

I watched it and laughed every time one of these factors was mentioned as I’d heard them all several times in several different places (books, film classes, documentaries, commentaries) on how to create a successful movie. I’ve always taken such advice with a grain of salt. There is some truth to it all. But there are plenty of examples where a film has none of these elements and is still popular or has all of these elements and is still unsuccessful. Lest I get into what films those are and just what is the definition of popular or successful and end up doing a thesis-worthy analysis of film history, let me just say that I found the whole concept highly amusing.

Blake apologizes for when he uses a cliché, like running after someone and knocking coffee out of a cop’s hand. He hires a sidekick by wearing a sandwich board and standing in the street. This bit has a rather poignant monologue on stereotypes in film, and also a cameo from Alexis Arquette.

Sisto is great as Blake. He is very likeable and easy to relate to. Stormare plays the villain, of course. Some of his other memorable villain roles include Dino Velvet in 8mm, Satan in Constantine and the Unpimp your Auto Guy in the Volkswagen commercials.

I found there to be a sort of religious parallel to the film. It could be interpreted as the audience is God or whatever higher power there may be and we are constantly being watched. So if that is the case, we should be the hero. I’m not sure if this is what the filmmaker’s intent was, but it was something I saw in the film. I’m not religious. Nevertheless, I found it to be an interesting perspective.

But it may be the filmmaker’s intent, since in the first few minutes, Blake worships the movie screen. He replaces what I believe is referred to as The Lord’s Prayer with movie references. He also goes on to express how great movies can be. I totally get that and it is why I really like this movie.

I thought the love interest aspect was a bit weak. I just didn’t buy the attraction between the two characters. But other than that, I thought the film was really fun. I really like the idea of life as a movie. After all, in the words of Shakespeare, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

The film also plays devil’s advocate with itself. There are several references to movies causing people to be delusional, to think that they are greater than they really are. But then it asks what is wrong with that. Obviously, if you go too far with it, it can be dangerous. But if it drives you to excel, then it is a good thing. I think this is really the point of the film.

I’m always refreshed to find a movie that has a great story without having to rely on special effects and over-dramatic plots. The Movie Hero is definitely one of these movies.

Grade: A-