Rating: 
Summary: 'Kissing' is a keeper
Review: When you say 'romantic comedy' you typically think: guy meets girl in cute way, girl and guy face obstacles, girl and guy triumph, a sweeping overture plays. Roll credits.That's not the case of 'Kissing Jessica Stein'. The Jessica in question, is actually straight. However, Helen comes into the mix after Jessica spontaneously answers Helen's 'woman seeking woman' ad, and the two have a earnest relationship that is a bit rocky at first, then soars for awhile, then comes to a halt. I won't ruin the ending, but it recieves mixed reviews. Some like it, some hate it. I personally liked it, as it shows the completion of both Helen and Jessica. The film is a delicious fusion of romantic comedy, lesbian film, Jewish wit and love. It drives forth the idea that we don't know ourselves as much as we think we do, and that love doesn't involve falling for a sex, but a person.
Rating: 
Summary: finally, a rom-com where somebody learns something...
Review: while not perfect, and with an oddly unsatisfactory ending, 'Kissing Jessica Stein' is certainly one of the best rom-coms i've seen in the last few years. Jessica's affected neurotic performance is remeniscent of Ally Mcbeal in the early days when she still had decent one-liners, and the dating hell observations have a definite Sex and the City feel to them, but the film hugely outstrips both tv-series by actually having a heroine who's willing to do something about her fear of 'being alone forever'. Though its largely down to Helen's promptings - and patience - that Jessica even makes it to a first date, the very fact that she answered a same sex ad in the first place showed that she was willing to try and change her life, which eventually leads not only to a meaningful relationship but the inspiration to take up painting (am unashamed plot device but somehow no less meaningful) again ie. a focus in her life other than finding a life partner. Unlike her thirty-something singlet compatriots elsewhere in telly-land (28 year old Jessica being slightly ahead of herself due to extreme pickiness) she identifies the problem, takes a risk, and comes out the end a changed and happier person rather than whining about it for six series and never quite resolving the central issues around their own unhappiness.
It is tempting to say this film is about a bi-curious jewish new yorker and all the labels that that would incur, but mostly it is about a woman taking responsability for her own happiness rather than expecting 'the one' to come and fill the void. In an initial arguement with Helen she says she knows who Jessica Stein is, Jessica Stein not being someone who could even consider a same-sex relationship; by the end of the film she has realised that Jessica Stein is whoever she wants to be, a lesson a lot of thirty-somethings could do with learning.
Rating:
Summary: Kissing Jessica Stein
Review: I think this is one of the first actually good "chick flicks", ever- and it doesn't even romanticize the over used and abused guy and girl plotline. Instead it takes the old turn on girl on girl, and ends up a lot more interesting and a lot more funny and a lot more watchable than any of the latter films. In fact I would even recommend this movie as a date-movie, it can appeal to almost anyone watching it (at least if you're over 13 years old). Jessica Stein is the girl who can't find anyone, ever, who meets her high standards- and in fact; doesn't even seem to be interested with dating at all. Until her sexual orientation is spun around by Helen, another woman. This movie also depicts same-sex seeking women in a fashion in which other big budget movies can't- in a totally normal perspective. I don't think these women neccessarily drive motorcycles and do home repair all the time, like other movies portray, so this movie also becomes more accurate. It's not the funniest movie, but that aspect is easily overlooked; especially since the story and dialogue (all indie feeling) can captivate you for 2 hours. And no, there is no hardcore sex scenes in this movie, but it gets hot by the medium of sexual tension throughout. So the kids won't be watching this one (and they shouldn't anyway, because it of course has expletives). The DVD's supplemental features are like the hamburger at the bottom of the bag- it's there but it's not too good. At least I give it credit for having eye-candyish menus and great screen transfer. In fact, I was surprised- for an independent movie; this transfer looks very good. The sound is equally good. So it's worth watching, I would recommend it; and at the end it provides a somewhat satisfying viewing experience.
Rating:
Summary: Let it Marinate...
Review: Wow... wow An amazing film about a woman confused about love. The relationship these two women create is amazing. The film itself is hilarious and use of the word MARINATE as a verb is simply ingeneous! The MUSIC is amazing if you are a jazz fan the soundtrack is amazing... it adds to the sleek, sexy appeal of the film. The movie is great and is a must buy, I own the movie and watch it everytime the gals come over. This film is amazing and isn't like any other I have ever seen before... it is a must SEE!
Rating: 
Summary: Some good moments but still needs reworking
Review: I am always really excited when I see writers get a chance to direct or actively participate in the filming of their ideas as to me writer/directors/actors who stick to their guns and don't freely give their work blindly for money; however this movie could have benefited from the active involvement of others as the lead actress and co-writer is grossly miscast and the story (which may or may not have worked as a play) leaves huge emotional holes and lead to an ending that is almost as false as the character's journey. The above paragraph could make it sound as if I think that this movie is a total mess and it is not. The direction is good, as are some of the supporting actors (especially the lead's mother and her best friend), and it has a breezy feel to it, BUT the story false so false and script limitations are covered up with a couple of "three months later" instead of countinuing to focus on the characters over the plot. Without giving too much away as I hate it when reviewers tell you too much, Jessica's dating dilemma never feels real to me, neither does her journey into a same sex relationship, and especially by an ending that is so pat that you can't believe that it was ever filmed. What is even more upsetting is that the "pat" ending is less satisfying than almost anything else that the writers could have envisioned. The screenplay reduces all our problems in people not doing what they really want in life (which this being a "New York" story involves doing something "creative". At first the movie appears tackle this theme via who we fall in love with, but it's really just another bumper sticker for not being a cog in the corporate ladder and following your bliss. Nice idea, but it just serves as another cliche of the movies that Hollywood already makes so badly. If you write, paint, act, mime, run a gallery, open your own restaurant (choose your cliche) the true you will come out and you'll love and be loved. What is ultimately more disturbing about this movie is that its writer/lead actress (who happens to be really cute and appealing but just not "Jessica") tells a story that rings false and also is yet another version of you'd look so pretty and get a man is you loosened up and maybe did not expect so much. Better luck next time.
Rating:
Summary: at last, a good movie
Review: After seeing this movie, the very first thing I wanted was to see it again. There's a terrific blend of character and dialog, which is balanced against the subject matter with perfect grace. My two cents: this is a cute, charming, and sincere gem. Sure, it's all opinion, and in mine I would suggest you ignore anyone who doesn't at least give three stars - I doubt I'm so wrong. Last, to save this film from getting anything less than those three stars I mentioned: there's an appropriate absence of explicit detail; this is a sweetheart of a love story, told with absolutely no lack of chemistry between the two main characters.
Rating:
Summary: Miserable movie either way.
Review: This movie was, hands down, one of the worst I had ever seen. I don't particularly care that Jessica ends up going back to her het life in the end - face it, this does happen. Women DO experiment, and some decide that it isn't for them after all. It's a bit unreasonable to expect sexuality to remain within rigid borders. The problem with this movie was that it was a extremely off. The actresses were terrible, even if they were cute. The dialogue was so horribly timed that I kept feeling as thought I was watching a badly dubbed kungfu flick. I didn't even bother watching the end of it, and even I knew that she was going to go back to the guy in the end. The moral? People who write should stick to writing. People who act should stick to acting. Never the twain shall meet.
Rating:
Summary: INCREDIBLE- JENNIFER CARTA
Review: JENNIFER CARTA WAS AMAZING IN THE PLAY. SHE IS A MUST SEE LIVE IN NYC OR WHERE EVER THE PLAY IS. SHE IS DEDICATED TO THE ROLE. A BORN PERFORMER / ARTIST. HOPE TO SEE MORE OF HER IN FUTURE FILMS.
Rating:
Summary: tasteful and funny
Review: an excellent and well acted lesbian movie for once...no unecessary drama..and the scene between daughter and mother towards the end of the movie was trully moving...
Rating:
Summary: Great movie about really finding yourself
Review: I love this movie. It is romantic and sweet and is all about the journey you have to take to find out who you really are. I thouht this film was about so much more than gay or straight. The characters all found who and what made them happy in the end. See it!
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