Lucybespro It is a performances centric movie

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

sddavis63 Relationships are complicated things. Sometimes even messy. When does a "friendship" cross the boundary line and become a "relationship?" Can it? Will it work? What do we do when we find that the relationships we've been involved in are unsatisfying, and we want - more. Of something? "Kissing Jessica Stein" explores the complicated nature of relationships and it does so in a very mature and thoughtful way. The very nature of the story could have lent itself to the movie becoming a sort of slapstick comedy. Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) is a terminally single young woman in New York City. Her mother (Tovah Feldshuh) is constantly trying to find the right Jewish man for her, but none of the relationships click. Then, seemingly out of the blue and on a whim, Jessica responds to a personal ad from Helen (Heather Juergensen), whose looking for "friendship and possibly more." Helen wants the experience of being with a woman, Jessica's looking for the connection. They meet, and the movie charts the course of their relationship, and it does so both well and tastefully.Although it obviously is the engine driving the movie forward, the lesbianism angle is never really the front and centre issue. It's the development of the relationship, and the way in which the people around both Jessica and Helen react as the relationship cautiously becomes more open: from Helen's gay male friend who sees this as a betrayal of the gay community because he doesn't think either Helen or Jessica are really gay, to the very touching scene with Jessica's mother in which she basically tells Jessica that she just wants her to be happy with whoever can do that. But the awkwardness is always front and centre - especially the awkwardness between the two leads. I thought that Westfeldt and Juergensen had a great on-screen chemistry, and a part of that chemistry was the ability to showcase the awkwardness. This began as an experiment for Helen, but in the end she wanted something deeper, more passionate and long-lasting. For Jessica, everything began cautiously - and it's hard to know exactly what she wanted. Did she just want a friend, with some intimacy mixed in, or did she want an actual relationship? A partner to share her life with? It was interesting to watch the evolution, and to wait to discover if this was going to have a "happily ever after" ending or not.I was happy that this didn't turn out to be a lame comedy. It had that potential, but turned out to be at times humorous but always sensitive. I was also glad that it wasn't a "message" movie. I never had the sense of having any sort of agenda pushed at me. It was just an account of two people struggling through a relationship that was both fulfilling and awkward for both of them for various reasons. It's a bit dated by now, almost 12 years after it first appeared. Does anybody really use personal ads to meet someone anymore? But update that in your head, and pretend that they met online, and this still has a fresh and satisfying feel to it. (6/10)

Amy Adler Jessica Stein (Jennifer Westfeldt, who also co-wrote the fine screenplay) is a beautiful, straight journalist in Manhattan. She comes from a tightknit Jewish family and her mother, Judy (Tovah Feldshuh) is, naturally, hoping her daughter will find a nice man, settle down, and have children. But, the search for Mr. Right has proved very difficult. From weirdos to ego-maniacs to uptight accountants who wish to split the dinner bill down to the last lettuce leaf, she has been disappointed time and again. And her boss, Josh (Scott Cohen), a former flame, sometimes makes her life hard, too. Thus, when a co-worker mistakenly reads a personal ad that includes a quote from a favorite book of Jessica's, the young journalist is intrigued, even though the ad was written by a woman seeking another woman. Men have been such a colossal let-down, perhaps a relationship with a woman would prove more promising. Thus, Jessica answers the ad and meets Helen (Heather Juergensen). Helen is a bi-sexual art gallery operator and she likes what she sees in Jessica. But, Jessica begs for Helen to "go slowly" so she can determine if lesbianism is for her. Will it be? Or will Jessica realize that she is only interested in men? This is a witty and comical film, with some sharp social observations. Yet, it will not be for everyone, as homosexuality is a controversial topic for some. The actors do a fine job, especially the very beautiful Westfeldt. Also, the costuming is so wonderful, it will have any fashionista drooling. The setting and other film amenities are very fine as well. As for the script, it is marvelous, with many memorable lines and scenes, and the direction is lively and skillful. In short, if you love comedy and/or romance, and are "up for anything", this one has its charms.

rlmarquardt I've never been bothered by the fact that they were never nude. In my opinion, the film is not at all about sex, it's about growth and relationships. It's Jessica Stein's realization that she is the only reason she is unhappy; she has an image in her mind of what "should" make her happy, and this film is the story of her letting go of that and taking a risk that maybe something completely different could make her happy. It's a movie about growing, not about sex.If you haven't seen it, you should. Movies have played an important role in my life and I would say hands down, this is my favorite.That's all I was going to write, but apparently you have to write at least 10 lines. I first saw this movie when I was in college and was having that whole crisis of, "What am I supposed to be doing? How do I get to the house with the 2.5 kids and white picket fence?" This movie helped me realize that you can't live your life planning for the future all the time. Find the thing that makes you happy and hold on to it. Now, five or so years later, I'm happier than I ever have been, living a very fulfilling life that I'd never imagined for myself. I'm starting a film production company that I hope will someday make films like this one.

disdressed12 i found this movie very entertaining it's a very well written,witty romantic comedy,with bit of a twist.the two romantic leads are women.this premise has been done before,with the same supporting character types that usually populate this genre.but the performances are what breath new life into this movie,plus the the characters are all likable,which certainly helps.there are no drop dead funny moments,but there a lot of amusing scenes.the movie is also well paced.however,it's not for everyone.in fact some may find it offensive,due to the subject matter,as well as some strong adult language.but if you go in with an open mind,you should enjoy yourself for 90 minutes or so.for me,Kissing Jessica Stein is a 7/10