My Date with Drew (2004) User Reviews

Too Aggressive ...

[Vic_max · 5/10 · 22 November 2006]

This movie has all the makings of a really good movie. It had really good film quality, passionate individuals, a fast moving plot -- and a really good (obvious) goal. But even given all that, I just couldn't connect with the lead character/filmmaker. He's clearly a passionate guy, but something about him seemed like there was a manic aggressive undercurrent to his personality. The result was a turn-off to the film - and I watched with some excruciating pain as he tried to get to Drew Barrymore.

This movie is not without its merits - it is well done and there are some smart lines and ideas - like the 6 degrees of separation between any two people in the world. That stuff is cool, but unfortunately that didn't make up for the dislike of the main character. Skip this movie unless you're a devout Drew Barrymore fan.

Better than I thought

[sallicio · 6/10 · 9 December 2005]

The movie starts off dry and with a "Supersize Me" feel to it. However, if you can sit through the first fifteen minutes, it'll get better. I started this movie with my wife thinking that she would enjoy it more than I, although I had a pretty good time watching it. I am a prior-service US Marine and am currently a Deputy Sheriff and I can still identify with Brian even through all of the goofy not-so-suave antics displayed. I applaud him for making the movie and the wherewithal to follow through with his mission. The mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work unless it's open. Give the flick a chance.

PS Hey, Brian where's your mydatewithdrew.com website? I couldn't find it.

My Sad Pathetic Life.......

[Boggman · 6/10 · 30 November 2005]

If I was broke and struggling to survive, as the "filmakers" in this little documentary claim to be doing.....I would be focusing my energies on my career & my life goals instead of asking my parents to send me checks so that I could eat, running around with a borrowed video camera that had to be returned in 30 days, and trying sooo desperately to get a date with my very famous childhood crush. And not even a real date really, more like a lunch a or dinner outing with somebody whose engaged and will always be completely out of any reach for most real men.

However , we aren't really talking about a real man in "My Date with Drew". We are talking about a hyperactive, struggling, quite possibly gay, Jewish 27 year old nobody who really needs to get a life. So maybe there's hope after all for all you losers out there. That is the real message of this film.

Whew ...I needed to get that off my chest. Having said that , there is no denying that "My Date with Drew" is a somewhat charming documentary about the underdog in all of us.

The movie itself isn't that great & isn't all that entertaining....but it does have a satisfying conclusion....even if it's not the one you'd originally expect.

Brian, the guy who desperately wants to meet Drew comes off as lovable......but also as a HUGE dork who ultimately should be focused on getting his S*** together instead of chasing around his childhood crush.

Hopefully Brian made some money off this project or otherwise this guy is headed for trouble! This movie isn't the worst. It's worth a one time viewing but thats about it.

Rent......don't buy!

My Date with Drew

[I_John_Barrymore_I · 15 March 2009]

Even casting aside memories of the infamous summer of 2005, (during which the Internet Movie Database's Film General message board was overrun for months by the director's friends relentlessly hawking this documentary - and getting extremely unpleasant when challenged about their behaviour, trolling the board - in a monumentally misguided attempt at viral marketing that ensured everyone who encountered them waited for it to arrive on television rather than pay to see it) this film is impossible to like.

Much of that stems from the unlikable Brian Herzlinger, a man with no personality to speak of. He's a poor enough actor to betray the fact that at times he's clearly reading scripted material or improvising imaginary see-I-got-you-back phone conversations with an ex girlfriend who cheated on him. And that's not even his most pathetic moment.

Every attempt is made to enliven the concept but because it simply doesn't lend itself to a feature length film these attempts are doomed to failure, even if they weren't so hopelessly amateurish and inappropriate. They frequently employ six degrees of separation graphics as if they expect the audience to care that some guy's friend is a friend of some other guy's agent who knows someone who once worked with Barrymore. This kind of information is often presented in dramatic freeze frames as if to underline how important it is.

Presumably resulting from a dearth of imagination and creativity we're left with seemingly never-ending footage of Herzlinger approaching teenage girls outside malls and telling them what the film's about. "Oh, cool" they respond unenthusiastically - and this footage made the final cut! Next we see him unsuccessfully stopping people in the street and asking them to take part in "A survey about Drew Barrymore." It continues like this until the final scene, which I won't spoil. Things get mildly interesting (and decidedly awkward) for a few minutes and then - thankfully - it's over.

Pretty Good Considering....

[dincht_fan · 7/10 · 1 November 2005]

I received a screener from the video store that I work at and I decided to give it a look. I didn't know what to expect because the premise is really odd. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The movie is good. Some scenes are inappropriate, and make the movie less about the date with Drew and more about Brian Herzlinger's personal life, but this is forgivable because the rest of the film, the Drew-centered parts that is, are really fun. Without ruining anything, some of the things he does to try to meet Drew Barrymore are pretty funny, and pretty creative. Another beef would be that it is filmed in MiniDV, but you could argue it's part of the appeal of the movie. The strongest aspect of the film, in my opinion, is the editing. Although the production value is extremely low ($1100 from a game show) the editing is amazing.

After I saw it, I came to IMDb to find out more about the filmmakers (the editor, particularly, whom I thought was really good). What I found was amazing... People were fighting over the message boards. Now that's just sad. I never usually post, I just visit for info, but I felt that this movie needed a fair review, from someone who's actually seen it. Some bits are too long, some bits aren't as funny, but overall it is an enjoyable experience.

Pure charm ... well, maybe not entirely pure

[mawilk · 8/10 · 11 January 2006]

I was completely taken in by the charm and optimism of My Date With Drew, although the movie's critics hold generally far more cynical views about it. Many find this work creepy and unnerving because its star-director, Brian Herzlinger, manages to pull off some rather interesting stunts ...

But this movie is innocuous, really, and nothing either dangerous or sordid happens, here. At the heart of Herzlinger's work is a man who engages himself on a quest for emotional and material success, and I found it inspiring, quite frankly, to witness his journey.

One might admire or dislike Herzlinger, finding him either funny or creepy, but there's no denying that the man has chutzpah! Give credit where credit is due, for he's accomplished what few independents have in that he's gotten his movie made and distributed (and gotten us writing about it, as a result of that). Not too shabby, by any means.

One Degree of Separation

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 2 August 2005]

Greetings again from the darkness. "Light-hearted, Feel good Documentary"??? Seems like a contradiction as most docs are presented in a stark, often bleak manner. Filmmaker, film geek, seemingly nice goofy guy, Brian Herzlinger chronicles the 30 (plus) days of his quest to get a date with his dream girl, Drew Barrymore. Yes, his crush began upon first viewing of "E.T" when he was six and carried through to her fan club, all her movies and TV appearances and into adulthood (chronologically speaking) with a borderline stalker approach.

The one thing documentaries must battle is a dragging storyline. "My Date" starts very good, drags in the middle and ends VERY strongly. Brian's mood makes or breaks the scenes. When his childlike enthusiasm is present, this film is a pleasure to watch ... even fascinating at times. When Brian appears to be playing to the camera in what must be scripted moments, the film dries up and really drags. For the most part, his (and his buddies) exuberance for the project is beyond question. The practice date with the Drew lookalike is a great idea that kinda fell flat, but the scenes with his parents more than offset the lulls.

The whole Circuit City video camera scheme is genius and the corresponding photo montage is classic. I also very much enjoyed the premiere footage and audio, but nothing compares to the last 10 minutes where charm, energy and spirit are truly on display.

Although I am not a "Grease 2" fan, I will recommend this film to my friends as it is an hour and a half well spent.

Gimmick city

[tgilliam12 · 1/10 · 30 December 2005]

"Brian Herzlinger is an inspiration to anyone who..." wanted desperately to be famous. Seeing this film at HBO Comedy Fest, I did not understand how these guys did not get served with a lawsuit. Probably knowing a thing or two about law, they jumped through as many loopholes as they could to use Drew Barrymore's image.

Another issue I had with it was the fact that this film not only uses Barrymore but makes her an object to be desired. Is Barrymore a thing to be coveted? Does it not matter to this schlub that she actually has a boyfriend?

If anyone needed a gimmick it was them. And they used it. But judgig that, after the fests, it only lasted a weekend in already limited release, the gimmick does not work on audiences.

A very cute documentary about a man with a dream

[angelcrowley-1 · 10/10 · 17 January 2006]

I myself love Drew, so I wanted to see it after I just heard the title! Great movie! I really loved it. You must see this if you love Drew too! This is a documentary but its a very fun and exciting. It has won several awards from film festivals around the globe. A very inspiring film that was made with ONLY 1,100! We even get a bonus mini documentary at the end of the DVD! I will without a doubt watch anything that these wonderful people put out! I found myself getting lost in the movie. Like it was me that was on screen with my dreams and fears. I found myself cheering with anticipation, wanting, waiting to see the result.Good times all around.

Hirsute Herzlinger Has Hutzpah

[sunsetgun · 7/10 · 7 April 2006]

This little low budget affair starts out rather slow and ambles towards a momentum where the viewer finally has the chance to say, "Yes, this guy has a goal, I feel for him and his determination." At first, I was ready to give up on the documentary. My first impression of Herzlinger was that of an obnoxious fan-boy. But then you get to see bits of his personal life and you realize that he's obviously not demented - he's a romantic, an idealist and he's got moxie. This project stemmed from something that may have been a long-time crush, but it turned into an example of quick thinking derring-do and obviously very supportive friendships in his life. This is encouraging - average guy with a wacky notion that is borderline obsessive and he manages to create a video that's really kinda feel good. I felt good. I rooted for him during this process, as I watched this unemployed, unshaven guy who couldn't even hold a fork right, and saw him become quite focused and respectable in the process. Like he said, it's about an unknown person trying to reach an unattainable person. It's also, without maybe intending to be that way, a commentary on how much celebrity is valued in our society and how weird it is to know what someone looks like, their favorite flower, their name and birth date, yet never to have met them or even have friends in common.

I'm sorry but I can't relate to this guy.

[cobitt · 1/10 · 6 January 2006]

I don't want to be mean, but I couldn't even laugh at how hopeless this guy was. I felt bad for him for about 5 minutes and then just wanted to beat his ass. That's right, this movie is about a loser trying to meet Drew Barrymore in 30 days. Problem is he only seems to spend about 2 hours a day doing any semblance of work to achieve this goal.

*Spoiler* The guy gets a chance to meet her at a movie premier and he can't even talk to her. How can you set out to make a documentary about asking someone out when the protagonist is such a pussy?? Anyways in the end Drew's publicist finds out about the project and probably said to her, "Look Drew, you're gonna seem like a huge bitch if you don't meet up with this guy," so they get together for an awkward 20 minute lunch. This is supposed to be the climax, but it's actually the low point of the movie. It plays out like a make a wish foundation story; Celebrity who feels sorry feigns interest in someone so pathetic that they have to be nice but don't want to touch them for fear of catching anything. If you read between the lines of her comment about her being an "instigator" or "motivator" in his life, you can hear her really saying, "Get a f@cking job."

Charming and entertaining

[stormy-12 · 9/10 · 5 November 2004]

Brian Herzlinger's quest for a date with childhood crush Drew Barrymore is, appropriately enough, a great date movie. It's funny, inspiring and very sweet. The fact that this was shot on a miniscule budget is part of its charm, but it doesn't play as cheaply made. In fact, it's more polished and fast-paced than many other modern documentaries. And Herzlinger is a winning presence. He knows how outrageous his mission is, but he attacks it with an admirable can-do zeal. This movie will have special resonance with movie geeks, especially those who grew up around the same time as Herzlinger. But dreamers from all walks of life are certain to enjoy it. You'll understand why it's won audience-favorite awards at film festivals. Highly recommended.

A funny and unique little documentary...something different

[Robert_duder · 7/10 · 11 April 2009]

My Date with Drew doesn't set out to change any opinions or make any fantastic points, doesn't have the Michael Moore flare or the Morgan Spurlock style (Super Size Me---not his sub par Where In The World documentary.) But this is what it does have...movie creator and star Brian Herzlinger is a likable down to earth guy who wants nothing more than to make one of his life long dreams come true...as simple of a dream that it may seem. He takes something that we've all had (crushes on a movie star) and turns it into a fun adventure. The film isn't perfect, in fact I think he makes a few very careless flaws in making what could have been a multi-million dollar idea instead of just...probably a million dollar idea. The film spends a lot of time throwing a bit of a pity party for Herzlinger and his life. He has no money, no solid job, only has 1100 bucks from a TV Gameshow, and despite having numerous Hollywood contacts seems to cry a lot about his life. I would rather have skipped over most of that information. Unfortunately you also miss out on seeing a lot of his grand and funny ideas because he can't get a camera in but that's all understandable too.

It's hard to rate someones performance in real life. Brian Herzlinger is your every day guy. He's not stunningly handsome (sorry Brian), he's not rich and powerful, he's just a guy, and every day guy you could be pals with that has this wacky dream and he's willing to finally go for it no matter what and put everything he has into not only getting the date but making this cool documentary. He has friends along with him for the ride but they don't get any major screen time and you don't get to know them at all, not like you do Herzlinger. You root for this guy as an underdog and I still think of him fondly.

As a director I think he has a little bit more experience to earn. I'm just thinking that he could have focused on different aspects than he did during certain scenes but he still did very well. The point of My Date With Drew is that it is completely and utterly unique and it's fun. It's not serious and doesn't pretend to take itself seriously so it can be fun and a bit of an adventure, very believable and the climax of the film fortunately ends with the achievement of his magical dream because without that the film would have fallen flat. There is just no way that he could have pulled this film off without actually scoring the date and Drew Barrymore was awesome and fun and watching the date was a blast after really believing this was a big deal for him and all the trouble he went to. Literally anyone can watch this no matter what kind of films you like. It's different and unique and check it out when you want something truly different!! 7/10

A sad way to break into show biz

[kenneth-r-close-1 · 2/10 · 3 May 2007]

So a guy borrows a video-camera and makes a documentary about how he gets a date with Drew Barrymore in 30 days. His friends help and it becomes a big production. Unfortunately, this guy's sad attempt at breaking into show business isn't very interesting. Basically, they keep calling people in Drew's outer circle of gatekeepers in the hope of getting a lunch date with her. They do crash an event, and the guy says "Hi" to her, but is too overcome with her stardom to ask her out. Then they reenact the meeting because they didn't bring a camera into the event. I'm sure Drew is a wonderful person but pleeeease - she's not a goddess! So when they fail to get the date within 30 days they keep going (cheating!) until she eventually hears about it and decides she'd like the free publicity (and IMDb credit!). How is this even mildly entertaining?

MetaDrew

[tedg · 30 November 2005]

Take a date movie and mix it with a movie about making a movie. Dose it with a notion of homemade opportunism.

Does it matter if it engages? If the guy matters? Probably not.

The standard date movie has three acts: The fantasy is established, the fantasy is dashed, the romance is achieved. Often a guy with problems and a perfect girl, sometimes the other way around.

That's what we have here, almost as if it were scripted. It is almost too perfect. Surely, Drew's production company added and sorted things after they got involved.

If you like metamovies, you'll get a bang out of this. If you get embarrassed by ultradorky dumb people, so dumb they should hide, if bad production values bother you, stay away.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

What's wrong with a little self-indulgence?

[lconway54 · 7/10 · 29 November 2005]

First, i'd like to say I found this movie pretty entertaining. I think a lot of posters on these boards didn't get the concept that, yeah this guy is a struggling actor, director, whatever he is, but what better way to get some exposure than to make a film about yourself and your dreams than this. I thought it was a very clever tool to get some exposure. That said, this could be done by anybody with an Apple Powerbook, a video camera, and some connections. My only question was, why didn't he bring the camera back on day 30, and immediately go to another Circuit City and get another camera? And why is there a minimum of 10 lines of text on here? I don't get that at all.

A heartwarming and uplifting documentary

[cricketbat · 8/10 · 6 August 2018]

My Date with Drew isn't just a movie about a guy trying to get a date with a celebrity crush, it's a film about taking chances and reaching for seemingly unattainable goals. You can't help but grin as the goofy protagonist goes about his quest. This is a heartwarming and uplifting documentary.

Go see this, you won't be sorry!!

[tiffairy · 7/10 · 6 August 2005]

I just got back from seeing the film. I loved it so much more than I thought I would. But I knew I would love it. It's a beautiful film. Moving, funny, inspirational, fun, just great! It was met with applause at the end and a theater full of very happy people!! You will NOT be sorry you saw this movie. It's one for the "favorites" list. It will be the first documentary I have EVER added! :) I feel like a recruiter for this movie now. I've added banners to my blogs and now here I am writing this review which I never do. That's how good this movie is and how much it makes you root for this guy. How much it makes you like him! Well, it's not that it makes you like him. He is just likable. :P Really, go see it!!!!

A stalker's how-to or a dishonest PR stunt? Ether way it's pretty bad

[movieman_kev · 3/10 · 19 April 2006]

Brian Herzlinger is a normal Joe trying to 'get a date with Drew Barrymore' in 30 days in this cloying 'Documentary'. Whether this is a stalker's attempt to desperately get a date with a actress he adores, or a clever ploy to jump start some sort of career for Herzlinger (I'm thinking more the latter), the fact remains that whichever it is, te film is manipulative at best and slightly alarming at worst. And if it WERE the former, rather then the latter, all the likability of Brian flies out the window as no matter how charismatic a stalker may be, the fact remains that they ARE in fact stalking someone. And if this movie inspires even one REAL stalker (and as I said before this film is a sham and a PR ploy), but if the film inspires a REAL stalker that would be quite a shame indeed. I can't recommend this film on entertainment ground, I can't recommend it on documentary grounds, and I certainly can't recommend it on ethical grounds.

My Grade: D

An Excellent, Intimate Quest

[tabuno · 9/10 · 22 January 2019]

3 June 2006. This every man low-budget movie is an inspiring documentary of one man's attempt to secure a date with Drew Barrymore. Recorded on a bare budget, this quest is personal and intimate, dramatic, emotional, and inspiring. It is rich with authenticity, strategy, and realism that all of us can relate to. The pacing of the editing, the whole voyage is captivating as the up and down trek is attempted down blind alleys, guesses, wishes, ideas that offer the audience a behind the scenes look at networking and the Hollywood connection as the real personality behind the curtain of the movie industry. The real story is the down to earth and entertaining events that unfold and the realness of most of the people on screen even those that appear to be out of reach. This is funny, sometimes tense-filled, thriller that has all the intensity of wish-fullfillment held by us all. Highly recommended. Nine out of Ten Stars.

Drew sure is a special celebrity

[aharmas · 7/10 · 16 August 2005]

A few times I felt like walking out of the theater as Brian kept on his quest to have his date with Drew Barrymore. It's a good thing that I did stay because once we are treated to Drew's scenes, the film takes on a very special glow.

For most of the time, we are treated to an amateurish attempt to gain our sympathies as a young man tries to achieve his lifelong dream. To be fair, it is refreshing to see that Brian is willing to share his insecurities and flaws. There is, however, a lack of balance between his assets and his shortcomings. We are reminded over and over about his nervousness, what he considers are physical imperfections, and maybe his production team appears to be unaware that they are showing us a man a few people might consider a loser.

Brian is likable and seems to have his share of supporters to help him meet his goals. He is also very lucky. What I failed to understand is his lack of practicality and responsibility. We are witnesses to his continuous reliance on parental support and inability to meet deadlines, though it might mean the difference between a meal and some unpleasant hungry times.

There is also an assumption that we all know how wonderful Ms. Barrymore is. She is indeed, one of the most charming celebrities in Hollywood, and her "E.T." period is certainly one that brings to mind the words "cute" and "sweet". The documentary fails to take advantage of Drew's charms, portraying her as an unreachable Hollywood type.

The last portion of the film does offer a marvelous resolution that brings out the best of the involved parties, but it might be a little too late to put the film above the average mark. Maybe there will be a chance to see a sequel or another chapter about this young man's life. Will he follow the advice given and reach for another one of his dreams?

Don't be duped like me!!

[lotusblossom0001 · 1/10 · 18 August 2005]

This movie was awful. I have to agree with the person who said most of these reviews were written by people connected with the movie. My friends and I decided to watch this movie today because,like an idiot, I fell for the glorious comments about this movie being great and different. The only dream Brian has is of himself not Drew. She's just a vehicle for him to yap about himself on the big screen. It's not funny, it's not sweet, it's not witty, it's not inspirational. But it is really boring. I just registered for IMDb today right after I saw this nonsense so others won't be led astray like me. This site, I always felt, was for "real people" who ARE NOT connected with the movie in ANY way. This whole things smells like when Sony created the fake critic David Manning to promote their movies. But unlike that case, I won't get a $5 refund. And if this movie won any awards as one reviewer states, then I have a "documentary" of me sleeping I'd like to submit to the judges. You'll laugh, you'll cry, it's magic. Interestingly, it too is about dreams.

And if these reviews are truly sincere, well, then I will politely disagree with them. But honestly (hmmm...honesty, there's a loose concept),I think I'm one of the few people on this site that's actually seen the movie. It REEKS.

A charming, entertaining film that has you rooting for the underdog even after the movie ends.

[jacobs76048 · 10/10 · 18 January 2006]

What a daring project. It was very real through out. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. My children ages 9 and 15 were totally engaged in the story and the outcome. We will be recommending it to everyone we know. Brian is goofy and sexy all at the same time. He readily establishes rapport with the viewer and virtually everyone he comes in contact with during the film. His partners and crew did a terrific job of filming. I never noticed it at the box office but believe it will sell well as a video and hopefully launch this group of film makers into new and greater projects. I hope to see a lot more of Brian's work both as an actor and a film maker and expect he will finally have a decent income. I'm certain his Mother will be pleased with that and somehow I don't think it will change him one bit. See the movie and get inspired to follow your dreams.

Pleasant enough, reminds one of the film 20 dates but not quite as comical, give Herzlinger credit for the effort

[inkblot11 · 6/10 · 4 August 2014]

Brian Herzlinger, a real life gentleman attempting to break into Hollywood film making as a director, is struggling. It's a tough town to make it big, after all. His parents wire him money if he needs it, which is rather often than not. So, how can Herzlinger prove himself and gain a higher profile? After all, so many times in Tinseltown its WHO you know. A plan is hatched. Having had a crush on Drew Barrymore since her E.T. days, with the bonafide fan club cards to prove it, why not making a funny documentary of trying to get a date with Drew? Never mind that she's already involved with someone and doesn't know Brian from Adam. It's Kismet, really, as Brian has just won over a thousand dollars by answering a trivia question with her name on television. So, this aspiring director buys a video camera, many tapes, and enlists a crew of pals. His attempts to "meet" Drew involve setting up appointments with Drew's personal trainer, beauty consultant, and various other individuals in hopes that ONE of them will make the introduction. Along the way, Brian discovers he can't do 30 push ups, has blackheads, and other fun stuff. Will anyone of this pan out? This is a sweet film and it has some comical moments. No, its not as good as 20 dates, to which it has some similarities. But, Herzlinger is one determined guy and he has produced a movie which gives a good glance inside the difficult entrance into Hollywood's inner circle. Despite being a low budget film, it looks good, has interesting camera shots, and enough comedy and intrigue to keep the viewer going. As a result, Herzlinger probably did benefit from the making of the movie, Barrymore turned out to be helpful and cameos with such folks as Eric Roberts and such are pretty interesting as well. Make a date with Date, romance fans. You'll savor its sweetness.

Boring and Fake Self-Promotion

[claudio_carvalho · 1/10 · 11 September 2007]

I have just watched twenty minutes of "My Date with Drew" and I was initially irritated with the DVD released by "First Look" distributor, which wrongly indicates the availability of "closed caption" (cc) on the cover of the R1 DVD, which is not captioned, has only subtitles in Spanish. The shameful self-promotion of the author using the name and a poster of Drew Barrymore on the cover to attract naive viewers that expect to see a romantic comedy with Drew Barrymore is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen on DVD. However, the intention of the author was achieved and his "documentary" was distributed, inclusive I was misled and bought it. After twenty minutes, I really gave up watching it since I really could not believe it could improve. I love independent movie, but not this type of cheap opportunism. I used the forward button and I was surprised with the generosity of the magnificent Drew Barrymore, participating in this farce. My vote is one (awful).

Title (Brazil): "Meu Encontro Com Drew Barrymore" ("My Date With Drew Barrymore")