My Date with Drew

My Date with Drew is a charming 2004 romantic documentary film that takes the audience on an offbeat and humorous journey where dreams and reality intertwine, starring Brian Herzlinger, Drew Barrymore and John August.

The film's story begins with Brian Herzlinger, a regular guy who's living his life on a shoestring budget in Los Angeles, California. Since he was six, Herzlinger has been harboring a relentless crush on celebrated Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore, and dreams of getting a date with her. However, this is no easy task for an average person. Herzlinger is not a renowned actor, nor a high-profile personality who can easily cross paths with a star like Barrymore.

Armed with sheer determination and a consumer video camcorder that he won in a game show, he decides to capture the entire journey on film, making My Date with Drew a thoughtful approach to the documentary style of filmmaking. The film is peppered with humor, charm, and a whimsical tone as we follow the exploits of Herzlinger in his ambitious quest.

Initially, Herzlinger formulates a winning six-step plan based on a study of connection-theory that suggests anyone in the world can be connected to anyone else through six people. With Drew Barrymore not knowing him from Adam, Herzlinger sets forth on this whimsical quest armed with the determination of a hopeless romantic, the budget of a broke indie-film director, and just a camcorder from Circuit City that holds the hope of capturing his dream girl's heart.

Herzlinger seeks help from friends, family, and anyone else willing to offer a helping hand in his unusual venture. His creative endeavors to bridge the gap between him and Hollywood stardom, witnessed through the lens of a video camera, add an endearing layer of authenticity and personability to the film. We see Herzlinger pitch his idea to various Hollywood producers, trying to convince them how much it would mean to him to get a date with Drew.

In the movie, Herzlinger doesn't just give us insight into his passionate adventure, but he also indirectly offers a heartening view of Hollywood from the perspective of an outsider trying to break in. It peels back the layers of the shiny veneer of stardom and delivers a humble narrative about the less glamorous side of Hollywood.

Counterbalancing Herzlinger’s infectious enthusiasm are the narrative threads of John August, a regular of the Hollywood screenwriting scene, and Barrymore herself, who mirror the emotional roller-coaster Herzlinger rides throughout his journey. The film even pays homage to E.T., Barrymore's breakout movie, another touch that adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

A critical point of the movie is its commentary on the extremes to which people will go in the pursuit of their idol or a significant figure in their lives. Herzlinger's earnestness makes the audience root for him, wish for his dreams to come true, despite the considerable roadblocks he faces. This, coupled with the natural charm and candor of Barrymore, makes for a compelling human account of aspirations, courage, and the power of imagination.

My Date with Drew is a delightful blend of comedy, dreams, determination and the struggles of everyday life. The film exudes an overall inspiring aura to chase one's dreams against all odds, creating an amusing, entertaining, and heartwarming cinematic experience. Whether or not Herzlinger manages to secure the date remains for the viewers to find out, as they join him on this amusing journey against the odds. It has many light-hearted moments that will make you chuckle and Herrzlinger's sincerity and ingenuous nature will endear you to his character.

Drew Barrymore’s magnetic screen presence, John August’s nuanced performance, and above all, Brian Herzlinger's uniqueness in living his dream, draws viewers into a world where the lines between reality, fiction, dreams, and ambition are delightfully blurred, making My Date with Drew an intriguing watch for all. In essence, the film invites audiences to enjoy one man's extraordinary journey to meet his childhood crush, wrapped in the package of a touching and funny real-life romantic fairytale.