Kissing Jessica Stein
04-01-02 | 01:30 AM
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From: Denton, TX
It's definitely one of the better romantic comedies I've seen lately, even if it is a little too "neurotic New Yorker". Likeable characters, even the one you're not supposed to like until later.
04-01-02 | 03:00 AM
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From: USA - Bush: Selected, not elected
Originally posted by Aaron Amos
It has not come out here where I live. What's it about?Who stars in it? Who is distrubiting the movie? Mainstream or not?
It has not come out here where I live. What's it about?Who stars in it? Who is distrubiting the movie? Mainstream or not?
04-01-02 | 04:54 PM
#5
Saw it on Saturday and thought it was quite enjoyable. Maybe I wasn't in the mood, but I didn't think it was very funny at all. The characters were well developed though, and I did find myself getting drawn into the story (as compared to Blade II, which I saw on Sunday and thought the character development just plain sucked). I thought the soundtrack and song selection was very good.
Overall, it was worth the matinee price for me.
***1/2 out of *****
Overall, it was worth the matinee price for me.
***1/2 out of *****
04-01-02 | 11:46 PM
#6
DVD Talk Special Edition
I want to see this film. It got a good review from Ebert, sounds like an interesting premise, and I watched the 10-minute excerpt on www.ifilm.com. Interesting premise, intelligent dialogue, and the two leads are pretty easy on the eyes. Too bad the one crappy indie theater in my town might not even get this film. Hopefully I can pick it up on DVD.
04-10-02 | 03:58 PM
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From: Hawaii, USA
Saw it this weekend. . .here's a review I wrote for my other site:
Having always found amusement in gay male romantic comedies such as “The Broken Hearts Club” and “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss”, I decided to give “Kissing Jessica Stein”, with it’s lesbian romantic comedy angle a shot this weekend. It’s quite a charming film, featuring likeable characters and humorously poignant situations.
As the film opens, Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) is sandwiched between her Jewish mother (Tovah Feldshuh) and grandmother in church. Oblivious to the sermon, the 2 women point out potential dating candidates for Jessica in the pews around them, bickering over their merits -- it’s apparent these 2 women will never give Jessica any peace until she finds a suitable mate.
We see a funny montage of Jessica’s dates, ranging from the “aren’t I so smooth?” operator, to the bill-nitpicker who would like to “apply for a position” as Jessica’s “accountant and boyfriend”. (“We shared the salad, but you ate more. . . and I didn’t have the goat cheese – I’m allergic.”) Jessica stares aghast at her would-be suitors, and is driven to perusing the personal ads. As her hilariously grandiose co-worker, Joan, reads aloud some samples, Jessica is intrigued by an ad quoting one of her favorite poems. Even upon discovering it was a “woman seeking woman” ad, Jessica impulsively contacts the seeker for a meeting. Helen (Heather Juergensen), a sexually adventurous bisexual art gallery manager is immediately taken with Jessica and attempts to calm her nervousness. Initially so anxious over the implications of this possible relationship, Jessica loads up on “lesbian literature” to discuss the intricacies of “how it works” with Helen. Helen waits patiently, all the while wondering if Jessica will ever be comfortable with the idea. As time progresses, and their friendship deepens however, Jessica finds herself focusing on the “rightness” of having found a soul to relate to, rather than fixating on the sexual angle.
Jessica’s apparent happiness brings out the curiosity of her co-workers, especially that of her boss, Josh (Scott Cohen), who was her college boyfriend. Though he often makes barbed judgments about her unfounded dissatisfaction with her dates, it’s apparent that Josh has a vested interest in the new “mystery man” who sends Jessica flowers and has her humming at the office. Will Jessica “come out” about Helen, or is this just a whim until she goes running back to men?
The cast is wonderful, especially Jennifer Westfeldt as Jessica. Although her nervous mannerisms and manner of speech get a tad annoying at times, she’s the luminous heart of the film. Heather Juergensen makes a fine counterpoint, with her assertive, earthy Helen. A romcom at heart (albeit a lesbian one), "Kissing Jessica Stein" has enough humor and emotional resonance to make for an entertaining diversion.
Overall grade: B
Having always found amusement in gay male romantic comedies such as “The Broken Hearts Club” and “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss”, I decided to give “Kissing Jessica Stein”, with it’s lesbian romantic comedy angle a shot this weekend. It’s quite a charming film, featuring likeable characters and humorously poignant situations.
As the film opens, Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) is sandwiched between her Jewish mother (Tovah Feldshuh) and grandmother in church. Oblivious to the sermon, the 2 women point out potential dating candidates for Jessica in the pews around them, bickering over their merits -- it’s apparent these 2 women will never give Jessica any peace until she finds a suitable mate.
We see a funny montage of Jessica’s dates, ranging from the “aren’t I so smooth?” operator, to the bill-nitpicker who would like to “apply for a position” as Jessica’s “accountant and boyfriend”. (“We shared the salad, but you ate more. . . and I didn’t have the goat cheese – I’m allergic.”) Jessica stares aghast at her would-be suitors, and is driven to perusing the personal ads. As her hilariously grandiose co-worker, Joan, reads aloud some samples, Jessica is intrigued by an ad quoting one of her favorite poems. Even upon discovering it was a “woman seeking woman” ad, Jessica impulsively contacts the seeker for a meeting. Helen (Heather Juergensen), a sexually adventurous bisexual art gallery manager is immediately taken with Jessica and attempts to calm her nervousness. Initially so anxious over the implications of this possible relationship, Jessica loads up on “lesbian literature” to discuss the intricacies of “how it works” with Helen. Helen waits patiently, all the while wondering if Jessica will ever be comfortable with the idea. As time progresses, and their friendship deepens however, Jessica finds herself focusing on the “rightness” of having found a soul to relate to, rather than fixating on the sexual angle.
Jessica’s apparent happiness brings out the curiosity of her co-workers, especially that of her boss, Josh (Scott Cohen), who was her college boyfriend. Though he often makes barbed judgments about her unfounded dissatisfaction with her dates, it’s apparent that Josh has a vested interest in the new “mystery man” who sends Jessica flowers and has her humming at the office. Will Jessica “come out” about Helen, or is this just a whim until she goes running back to men?
The cast is wonderful, especially Jennifer Westfeldt as Jessica. Although her nervous mannerisms and manner of speech get a tad annoying at times, she’s the luminous heart of the film. Heather Juergensen makes a fine counterpoint, with her assertive, earthy Helen. A romcom at heart (albeit a lesbian one), "Kissing Jessica Stein" has enough humor and emotional resonance to make for an entertaining diversion.
Overall grade: B
04-10-02 | 08:43 PM
#8
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I just saw it and thought it was one of the funnier films I've seen in a while.
A great script written by the two female leads.
Terrific comedy and great character development.
The acting is top-notch as well.
Grade: A- or ***1/2 out of four stars.
A great script written by the two female leads.
Terrific comedy and great character development.
The acting is top-notch as well.
Grade: A- or ***1/2 out of four stars.
01-09-03 | 01:25 AM
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From: Senior Member
I just saw this movie and I thought it was great. ( it didn't hurt that "Jessica" is hot)
I thought it was really well done and showed a female relationship in a different light than we're used to, and showed how women can have friendships like that, that men generally don't (won't say more as to preserve ending)
But, I definately reccomend seeing this for guys and girls alike, it is not your typical "chick-flick", hell it's not even a chick flick...
Aside>The scene in the junkyard with the two gay men and Helen is classic!
-miKar
I thought it was really well done and showed a female relationship in a different light than we're used to, and showed how women can have friendships like that, that men generally don't (won't say more as to preserve ending)
But, I definately reccomend seeing this for guys and girls alike, it is not your typical "chick-flick", hell it's not even a chick flick...
Aside>The scene in the junkyard with the two gay men and Helen is classic!
-miKar
