Mystery Date

I watched "Mystery Date" as a kid and liked a lot, although I couldn't remember almost anything except that Fisher Stevens was very funny playing a annoying delivery flower guy who keeps bothering Ethan Hawke's character in many scenes. But I watched this recently and it turns out that all the fun disappeared and the story is incredibly similar to many other films of the 1980's and 1990's. Except for the amazing soundtrack that includes hits from INXS and Seal the movie doesn't offers much quality or funny things.

The clichéd story of a shy guy named Tom (Ethan Hawke) and his first and troubled date with his beautiful neighbor Geena (Teri Polo). Trying to impress the girl he picks the impressive car of his brother Craig (Brian McNamara) with whom Tom is going to be confused and involved in crazy situations with corrupt cops, the Chinese mafia and the flower guy played by Stevens.

I love stories that happens in only one day. Films like "Superbad", "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" and "After Hours" are incredibly funny and it gives you the sensation of living or enjoying the lives of the characters of these movies, the situations are very well presented and you enjoy easily. "Mystery Date" tried to be a teenage and dangerous version of "After Hours" (or at least is that what I think for I can remember a few things of Scorsese's film) and all the adventure aspect of 1991 movie took out some of the fun, it was very exaggerated in some points, things very difficult to laugh at it. As an adventure it goes well, as an comedy it's not so funny. Hawke's very nice as the lead guy and Teri Polo is quite suitable for the role of the girl next door, but the movie is only interesting because of the few scenes of Fisher Stevens, while trying to get a tip from Tom after delivering the flowers. Watchable indeed. 6/10

When someone even if it's your brother offers to fix you up on a date with the girl of your dreams, watch out because if it's too good to be true, it usually is. That's the position that young Ethan Hawke who worships his older brother Brian McNamara.

McNamara is however not studying to be a lawyer, but instead is a crook who has stolen from a Chinese gangster played by James Wong and who wants his goods back. What McNamara is doing by even giving Hawke his car, his fashionable wardrobe and even his credit card is set up his younger brother while he deals in relative safety. So that first date with Teri Polo is an experience not likely to be forgotten.

Mystery Date definitely has a few laughs in it, but throughout it I couldn't really get all that amused over the plight of Hawke and Polo. I mean this kid really worships McNamara and this guy is such a sleaze to take advantage of that. Kind of puts a damper on the humor.

Funniest performance has to be from Fisher Stevens who plays a psychotic floral delivery guy who McNamara stiffs for a tip and then goes berserk, taking it out on poor Hawke, the schlemiel. It doesn't make up for the overall weak plot premise.

It isn't ever going to be considered an Oscar caliber classic, but it is a very well written, directed, and performed movie. Almost all the lines are referenced to each other at one point or another. The soundtrack is phenomenal. Even the extras (with the possible exception to the guard shack guy) are even good and believable. The movie captures all the nervousness and awkwardness of that first date with a woman you are trying hard to impress. If you have a date and don't know what to see, take a chance with this (rental or go all out and buy it if you can find it). I don't think anyone going in with an open mind will be disappointed. PLEASE STICK WITH IT THROUGH THE FIRST 15 MINUTES. It does pick up. The only (if it has one) downfall of this movie is that it starts slow but you have to pay attention from the opening credits to after the credits. Worth your time and money.

Seeing as how I caught this one nearly twelve years ago, when it was in theaters, it's not surprising that there's a little bit of nostalgia attached to my enjoyment of this movie. All of that aside, this is a pretty funny movie with some good characters and hilarious situations.

Tom McHugh is a likeable, but very shy, teen-ager who has the hots for the girl who's housesitting next door. He's been eyeing her for quite a while now and he would probably never work up the nerve to ask her out. When his freakshow parents leave town to take their terrier to a dog show (ever see "Best in Show"?), older brother Craig decides to pay a little visit. See, Craig has supposedly been away at Law School and he just decides to show up in his vintage Cadillac to pay little bro a visit. Not two seconds after Mommy and Daddy have left for the weekend, in rolls Craig. See, Craig is the kind of guy who actually enjoys being slapped by a woman and his philosophy is that "Women love it when you treat 'em like $#!t." Well, he may not be the best one to take dating advice from, but since this is Big Brother we're talking about here and Tom seems to idolize him, he decides to learn from the master.

Well, it's not long before Big Brother is showing little brother the ropes. Not only is he giving him dating tips, but he's gone so far as to get him some slick clothes, a new haircut, and even his Id. He's even set up the date himself and arranged for a limo to pick him up. Of Course, all plans of a limo are screwed so Tom ends up having to use the forbidden Caddy (darn).

Pretty soon the date is on, and everything's going fine and dandy until there's a small case of mistaken identity and before you know it, one case has turned into many cases and now the cops, the Chinese mafia, and a deranged flower delivery boy, are on Tom's tale for obvious reasons. Surprise, surprise, Craig has not been at law school. This all adds to the fun. Throw in a hilariously quirky Fisher Stevens as Dwight, the p***ed off flower delivery boy who was stiffed on his tip, and you've got a winner. His character alone is reason enough to see the movie. Just all the bad things that happen to him thoroughout are great. B.D. Wong turns in another great performance as Lew, and Teri Polo is typically adorable as the love interest.

There's also a scene in which Craig is driving along in a Chevette, rapping along to Tone Loc. Priceless.

Go get this one.

Hey there IMDb viewers, Seriously - I took a chance on this film when it came to TV and I honestly have to say that, if you can watch it for what it is - i.e. pure entertainment - your gonna have a blast! It stars a young Ethan Hawke (Training Day) and a very attractive, younger Teri Polo (Meet The Parents). When Tom McHugh's (Hawke) older brother Craig (McNamara) sets Tom up with Gina (Polo) for a blind date everything for the beginning part, starts off well... until Tom finds himself chased throughout the night by cops, a psychotic flower deliver man (Stevens) and a mob Boss by the name of James Lew (Wong) - it seems everyone wants a piece of Tom... or is it Craig and why?... Watch and find out! A great date movie and one to watch when your in one of those "I want to watch something, but i'm not sure what" type of scenarios. Cheers.