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| name = Kissing Jessica Stein
| name = Kissing Jessica Stein
| image = Kissingsteinposter.jpg
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| image_size = 215px
| alt =
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| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
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| gross = $10 million{{r|Box Office Mojo}}
| gross = $10 million{{r|Box Office Mojo}}
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'''''Kissing Jessica Stein''''' is a 2001 American [[Independent film|independent]] [[romantic comedy]] film, written and co-produced by the film's stars, [[Jennifer Westfeldt]] and [[Heather Juergensen]]. The film also stars [[Tovah Feldshuh]] and is directed by [[Charles Herman-Wurmfeld]]. It is one of the earlier film appearances of actor [[Jon Hamm]]. The film is based on a scene from the 1997 [[off-Broadway]] play by Westfeldt and Juergensen called ''Lipschtick''.<ref>[https://variety.com/2001/film/awards/kissing-jessica-stein-1200468596/ ''Kissing Jessica Stein, Variety'']</ref>
'''''Kissing Jessica Stein''''' is a 2001 American [[Independent film|independent]] [[romantic comedy]] film, written and co-produced by the film's stars, [[Jennifer Westfeldt]] and [[Heather Juergensen]]. The film also stars [[Tovah Feldshuh]] and is directed by [[Charles Herman-Wurmfeld]]. It is one of the earlier film appearances of actors [[Jon Hamm]] and [[Michael Showalter]]. The film is based on a scene from the 1997 [[off-Broadway]] play by Westfeldt and Juergensen called ''Lipschtick''.<ref>[https://variety.com/2001/film/awards/kissing-jessica-stein-1200468596/ ''Kissing Jessica Stein, Variety'']</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Twenty-eight-year-old Jessica Stein is an attractive, Jewish, neurotic [[copy editor]] at a [[New York City]] newspaper. Her brother Dan has just gotten engaged, her best friend Joan is about to start a family, and her mother Judy is worried that Jessica will end up alone. Having endured a lot of awful [[wiktionary:blind date|blind dates]] searching for Mr. Right, Jessica's interest is piqued by a personal ad that includes her favorite quote about relationships by [[Rainer Maria Rilke|Rilke]]. Jessica discovers it is in the "[[lesbian|Women Seeking Women]]" section of the newspaper.
Twenty-eight-year-old Jessica Stein is an attractive, Jewish, neurotic [[copy editor]] at a [[New York City]] newspaper. Her brother Dan has just gotten engaged, her best friend Joan is about to start a family, and her mother Judy is worried that Jessica will end up alone. Having endured several awful blind dates searching for Mr. Right, Jessica's interest is piqued by a personal ad that includes her favorite quote about relationships by [[Rainer Maria Rilke|Rilke]]. Jessica discovers it is in the "[[lesbian|Women Seeking Women]]" section of the newspaper.


The ad was placed by Helen Cooper, who works at an [[art gallery]]. Dissatisfied with unfulfilling sex with men, Helen is looking to try something different and decides to experiment with dating women at the encouragement of her gay friends. Jessica replies to the ad, but she becomes apprehensive when she meets Helen, then apologizes and exits. Helen chases after her and persuades her to stay for one drink. The two discover they get along well and have a lot in common; they have dinner. Helen challenges Jessica's assumptions about what will make her happy and passionately kisses her goodnight.
The ad was placed by Helen Cooper, who works at an [[art gallery]]. Dissatisfied with unfulfilling sex with men, Helen is looking to try something different and decides to experiment with dating women at the encouragement of her gay friends. Jessica replies to the ad, but she becomes apprehensive when she meets Helen, then apologizes and exits. Helen chases after her and persuades her to stay for one drink. The two discover they get along well and have a lot in common; they have dinner. Helen challenges Jessica's assumptions about what will make her happy and passionately kisses her goodnight.


Jessica and Helen start dating and awkwardly [[making out]] on Helen's sofa afterwards. The usually uptight Jessica gradually becomes more happy, confident, and carefree; this is noticed at her workplace and attracts interest from her boss, Josh. Jessica evasively says that she has not found a boyfriend. Helen, meanwhile, is falling in love with Jessica and grows frustrated that their relationship is not moving faster.
Jessica and Helen start dating and awkwardly [[making out|make out]] on Helen's sofa afterwards. The usually uptight Jessica gradually becomes more happy, confident, and carefree; this is noticed at her workplace and attracts interest from her boss, Josh. Jessica evasively says that she has not found a boyfriend. Helen, meanwhile, is falling in love with Jessica and grows frustrated that their relationship is not moving faster.


Judy invites Jessica and Helen to dinner at their holiday house, where she tries to set them each up with a computer executive and Josh, respectively. A bad thunderstorm causes Helen to sleep over in Jessica's old bed, and Jessica and she have sex for the first time. The two of them are happy together, but Jessica stays closeted about her new [[lesbian]] relationship, refusing to bring Helen as her date to Dan's wedding for fear of what others will think. Devastated, Helen says she cannot accept being treated as a shameful secret, and tearfully breaks off their relationship.
Judy invites Jessica and Helen to dinner at their holiday house, where she tries to set them each up with a computer executive and Josh, respectively. A thunderstorm causes Helen to sleep over in Jessica's old bed, where she and Jessica have sex for the first time. The two of them are happy together, but Jessica stays closeted about her new relationship, refusing to bring Helen as her date to Dan's wedding for fear of what others will think. Devastated, Helen says she cannot accept being treated as a shameful secret, and tearfully breaks off their relationship.


As Dan's wedding approaches, Jessica sinks into a deep depression and goes to see Judy, who tells her that she is a perfectionist who always quits things if they are not perfect, even if they make her happy. Judy takes a deep breath and says that Jessica should not let this ruin her chances at happiness with Helen, who seems like "a lovely girl". Realizing her mother has accepted her [[bisexuality]], Jessica breaks down into tears of joy.
As Dan's wedding approaches, Jessica sinks into a deep depression and goes to see Judy, who tells her that she is a perfectionist who always quits things if they are not perfect, even if they make her happy. Judy takes a deep breath and says that Jessica should not let this ruin her chances at happiness with Helen, who seems like "a lovely girl". Realizing her mother has accepted her sexuality, Jessica breaks down into tears of joy.


Jessica apologizes to Helen and invites her to be her date for Dan's wedding. Helen is a hit at the event and warmly welcomed into the family. Josh, meanwhile, has realized that he has been in love with Jessica for some time, and bares his feelings to her after the party. Jessica awkwardly but firmly explains that she is in a relationship with Helen and departs with her, leaving Josh speechless.
Jessica apologizes to Helen and invites her to be her date for Dan's wedding. Helen is a hit at the event and warmly welcomed into the family. Josh, meanwhile, has realized that he has been in love with Jessica for some time, and shares his feelings with her after the party. Jessica awkwardly but firmly explains that she is in a relationship with Helen and departs with her, leaving Josh speechless.


A few months later, Jessica and Helen are living together in Helen's apartment, where their sexual relationship begins to fade. Helen realizes that Jessica views her as a best friend and roommate more than a lover, and says that she needs more than Jessica is able to give. A bad fight ensues; Jessica implores Helen to accept their relationship as-is, but Helen remains steadfast to her need for a partner who satisfies her sexually, and the two split for good.
A few months later, Jessica and Helen are living together in Helen's apartment, where their sexual relationship begins to fade. Helen realizes that Jessica views her as a best friend and roommate more than a lover, and says that she needs more than Jessica is able to give. A fight ensues; Jessica implores Helen to accept their relationship as-is, but Helen remains steadfast to her need for a partner who satisfies her sexually, and the two split for good.


Several months later, Helen is happily living with another woman. Jessica is a more calm and content version of her former self, having taken the positive things she learned from her time with Helen and applied them to her own life. She puts up fliers seeking a new roommate in a bookstore, missing the flirtatious interest of the pretty store owner. She spots Josh among the bookshelves, whom she has not seen since she left the paper to focus on her painting. They have a friendly catching-up, and she tells him that Helen dumped her, which was tough, but ultimately made her a better person. She gives Josh a flyer with her email on it. Later, Jessica meets up with Helen—the two women now solidly friends—and joyfully tells her that she is going on a date with Josh.
Several months later, Helen is happily living with another woman. Jessica is a calmer and more content version of her former self, having taken the positive things she learned from her time with Helen and applied them to her own life. She puts up fliers in a bookstore seeking a new roommate, missing the flirtatious interest of the attractive store owner. She spots Josh among the bookshelves, whom she has not seen since she left the paper to focus on her painting. They have a friendly catching-up, and she tells him that Helen dumped her, which was tough, but ultimately made her a better person. She gives Josh a flyer with her email on it. Later, Jessica meets up with Helen—the two women now solidly friends—and joyfully tells her that she is going on a date with Josh.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Jennifer Westfeldt]] as Jessica Stein
* [[Jennifer Westfeldt]] as Jessica Stein
* [[Heather Juergensen]] as Helen Cooper
* [[Heather Juergensen]] as Helen Cooper
Line 52: Line 52:
* [[Michael Mastro (actor)|Michael Mastro]] as Martin
* [[Michael Mastro (actor)|Michael Mastro]] as Martin
* Carson Elrod as Sebastian
* Carson Elrod as Sebastian
* [[Ben Weber]] as Larry
* [[Ben Weber (actor)|Ben Weber]] as Larry
* Nick Corley as Howard
* Nick Corley as Howard
* [[David Aaron Baker]] as Danny Stein
* [[David Aaron Baker]] as Danny Stein
* Jennifer Carta as Rachel, Danny's Fiancée
* Jennifer Carta as Rachel, Danny's Fiancée
* [[Peter Hirsch]] as Stanley Schoenberg
* Peter Hirsch as Stanley Schoenberg
* [[Jon Hamm]] as Charles
* [[Jon Hamm]] as Charles
* Esther Wurmfeld as Grandma Esther
* Esther Wurmfeld as Grandma Esther
Line 64: Line 64:
* [[Ilana Levine]] as Helen's New Girlfriend
* [[Ilana Levine]] as Helen's New Girlfriend
* [[Alysia Reiner]] as Schuller Gallery Artist
* [[Alysia Reiner]] as Schuller Gallery Artist
* [[Naomi Scott]] as Seductive Woman At Gallery
* Naomi Scott as Seductive Woman at Gallery
* Julie Lauren as Josh's Date
* Julie Lauren as Josh's Date
* [[Idina Menzel]] as Bridesmaid
* [[Idina Menzel]] as Bridesmaid
Line 70: Line 70:
* Adele Reichman as Grandma Interrogating Helen
* Adele Reichman as Grandma Interrogating Helen
* Hillel Friedman as Rabbi
* Hillel Friedman as Rabbi
}}


==Release==
==Release==
Line 77: Line 78:


The film was next shown at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]], with screenings scheduled the day before and the day after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11 attacks]].<ref>[http://www.nowtoronto.com/minisites/tiff/2001/reviews-10.html#kissing TIFF 2001 review of ''Kissing Jessica Stein''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313104124/http://www.nowtoronto.com/minisites/tiff/2001/reviews-10.html |date=2007-03-13 }} from ''[[Now (newspaper)|NOW]]'' magazine</ref>
The film was next shown at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]], with screenings scheduled the day before and the day after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11 attacks]].<ref>[http://www.nowtoronto.com/minisites/tiff/2001/reviews-10.html#kissing TIFF 2001 review of ''Kissing Jessica Stein''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313104124/http://www.nowtoronto.com/minisites/tiff/2001/reviews-10.html |date=2007-03-13 }} from ''[[Now (newspaper)|NOW]]'' magazine</ref>
According to the [[Audio commentary (DVD)|DVD commentary]] track by Westfeldt and Juergensen, both screenings took place, with the second screening on September 12 producing audible gasps among audience members at the sight of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]. The two filmmakers decided to [[List of entertainment affected by the September 11 attacks|eliminate the nine or ten scenes]] featuring the Twin Towers because they weren't integral to the story, and distracted from it.
According to the [[Audio commentary (DVD)|DVD commentary]] track by Westfeldt and Juergensen, both screenings took place, with the second screening on September 12 producing audible gasps among audience members at the sight of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]. The two filmmakers decided to [[List of entertainment affected by the September 11 attacks|eliminate the nine or ten scenes]] featuring the Twin Towers because they were not integral to the story and distracted from it.


===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
The film was hailed by critics upon release; it withstood some criticism from the LGBT community for not dealing in depth with the difficulties of being openly gay, but even among these criticisms, it was praised for portraying a same-sex relationship in a positive light. The website [[AfterEllen.com]], which tracks the portrayal of lesbian and bisexual women in the media, reviewed the film positively.<ref name="AE">{{cite news|last=Warn |first=Sarah |title=Review of "''Kissing Jessica Stein''" |publisher=AfterEllen |date=2007-07-17 |url=http://www.afterellen.com/blog/sarahwarn/retro-reviewing-video-blog-kissing-jessica-stein |access-date=2012-07-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201070317/http://www.afterellen.com/blog/sarahwarn/retro-reviewing-video-blog-kissing-jessica-stein |archive-date=2012-12-01 }}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an 83% "fresh" rating based on 120 reviews, with an average rating of 7.01/10.<ref>{{rotten-tomatoes|id=kissing_jessica_stein|title=Kissing Jessica Stein}}</ref>
The film was hailed by critics upon release. It withstood some criticism from the LGBT community for not dealing in depth with the difficulties of being openly gay, but even among these criticisms, it was praised for portraying a same-sex relationship in a positive light. The website [[AfterEllen.com]], which tracks the portrayal of lesbian and bisexual women in the media, reviewed the film positively.<ref name="AE">{{cite news|last=Warn |first=Sarah |title=Review of "''Kissing Jessica Stein''" |publisher=AfterEllen |date=2007-07-17 |url=http://www.afterellen.com/blog/sarahwarn/retro-reviewing-video-blog-kissing-jessica-stein |access-date=2012-07-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201070317/http://www.afterellen.com/blog/sarahwarn/retro-reviewing-video-blog-kissing-jessica-stein |archive-date=2012-12-01 }}</ref> {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|83|7.1|121|A trite but refreshing and comical spin on nature of love.}}<ref>{{rotten-tomatoes|id=kissing_jessica_stein|title=Kissing Jessica Stein}}</ref> {{MC film|72|36|ref=y|access-date=2023-12-05}}


[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]] magazine listed the film as an essential film for LGBT viewers, stating that "By no means is it a model lesbian movie — in fact, the film is a more honest look at bisexuality and sexual fluidity — but it is certainly a movie that encourages exploration and self-awareness."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/film/2014/06/23/top-175-essential-films-all-time-lgbt-viewers?pg=1 |title=The Top 175 Essential Films of All Time for LGBT Viewers |publisher=The Advocate |access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>
''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]'' magazine listed the film as an essential film for LGBT viewers, stating that "By no means is it a model lesbian movie—in fact, the film is a more honest look at bisexuality and sexual fluidity—but it is certainly a movie that encourages exploration and self-awareness."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/film/2014/06/23/top-175-essential-films-all-time-lgbt-viewers?pg=1 |title=The Top 175 Essential Films of All Time for LGBT Viewers |publisher=The Advocate |access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>


In the book ''Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire'', [[Lisa M. Diamond]] cites the film as a notable example of female sexual fluidity in popular culture, writing that ''Kissing Jessica Stein'' "depicts a lesbian becoming involved with a man, contrary to the more widespread depictions of heterosexual women becoming involved in same-sex relationships."<ref>{{cite book |last=Diamond |first=Lisa M |date=2008 |title=Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire |url=https://archive.org/details/sexualfluidityun00diam|url-access=limited |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |publisher=Harvard University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/sexualfluidityun00diam/page/n12 2] |isbn=9780674032262 }}</ref>
In the book ''Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire'', [[Lisa M. Diamond]] cites the film as a notable example of female sexual fluidity in popular culture, writing that it "depicts a lesbian becoming involved with a man, contrary to the more widespread depictions of heterosexual women becoming involved in same-sex relationships."<ref>{{cite book |last=Diamond |first=Lisa M |date=2008 |title=Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire |url=https://archive.org/details/sexualfluidityun00diam|url-access=limited |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |publisher=Harvard University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/sexualfluidityun00diam/page/n12 2] |isbn=9780674032262 }}</ref>

===Accolades===
At the [[7th Golden Satellite Awards]], Westfeldt and Feldshuh won [[Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture|Best Actress]] and [[Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role|Best Supporting Actress]] in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy respectively.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Martin|first=Denise|title='Far' wins Golden Satellite kudos|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 13, 2003|url=https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/far-wins-golden-satellite-kudos-1117878641/|access-date=December 27, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929163412/https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/far-wins-golden-satellite-kudos-1117878641/|archive-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0264761}}
* {{IMDb title|0264761}}
* {{allrovi movie|246218}}
* {{mojo title|kissingjessicastein}}
* {{mojo title|kissingjessicastein}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|kissing_jessica_stein}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|kissing_jessica_stein}}
* {{metacritic film|kissingjessicastein}}
* {{Metacritic film}}


{{Charles Herman-Wurmfeld}}
{{Charles Herman-Wurmfeld}}
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[[Category:2001 romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2001 romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:American LGBT-related films]]
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[[Category:American romantic comedy-drama films]]
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[[Category:Films about LGBT and Judaism]]
[[Category:American films based on plays]]
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[[Category:English-language independent films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy-drama films]]
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[[Category:Films about LGBTQ and Judaism]]
[[Category:Films directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld]]
[[Category:Films directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld]]
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[[Category:Fox Searchlight Pictures films]]
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[[Category:Impact of the September 11 attacks on cinema]]
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[[Category:American independent films]]
[[Category:Lesbian-related films]]
[[Category:Lesbian-related films]]
[[Category:LGBT-related romantic comedy films]]
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[[Category:2001 comedy films]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2001 drama films]]
[[Category:Satellite Award–winning films]]

Latest revision as of 17:56, 29 December 2024

Kissing Jessica Stein
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCharles Herman-Wurmfeld
Written byHeather Juergensen
Jennifer Westfeldt
Produced byEden Wurmfeld
Brad Zions
StarringJennifer Westfeldt
Heather Juergensen
Scott Cohen
Jackie Hoffman
Tovah Feldshuh
CinematographyLawrence Sher
Edited byKristy Jacobs Maslin
Greg Tillman
Music byMarcelo Zarvos
Distributed byFox Searchlight Pictures
Release dates
  • April 21, 2001 (2001-04-21) (Los Angeles Film Festival)
  • March 13, 2002 (2002-03-13)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1 million[1]
Box office$10 million[1]

Kissing Jessica Stein is a 2001 American independent romantic comedy film, written and co-produced by the film's stars, Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen. The film also stars Tovah Feldshuh and is directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld. It is one of the earlier film appearances of actors Jon Hamm and Michael Showalter. The film is based on a scene from the 1997 off-Broadway play by Westfeldt and Juergensen called Lipschtick.[2]

Plot

[edit]

Twenty-eight-year-old Jessica Stein is an attractive, Jewish, neurotic copy editor at a New York City newspaper. Her brother Dan has just gotten engaged, her best friend Joan is about to start a family, and her mother Judy is worried that Jessica will end up alone. Having endured several awful blind dates searching for Mr. Right, Jessica's interest is piqued by a personal ad that includes her favorite quote about relationships by Rilke. Jessica discovers it is in the "Women Seeking Women" section of the newspaper.

The ad was placed by Helen Cooper, who works at an art gallery. Dissatisfied with unfulfilling sex with men, Helen is looking to try something different and decides to experiment with dating women at the encouragement of her gay friends. Jessica replies to the ad, but she becomes apprehensive when she meets Helen, then apologizes and exits. Helen chases after her and persuades her to stay for one drink. The two discover they get along well and have a lot in common; they have dinner. Helen challenges Jessica's assumptions about what will make her happy and passionately kisses her goodnight.

Jessica and Helen start dating and awkwardly make out on Helen's sofa afterwards. The usually uptight Jessica gradually becomes more happy, confident, and carefree; this is noticed at her workplace and attracts interest from her boss, Josh. Jessica evasively says that she has not found a boyfriend. Helen, meanwhile, is falling in love with Jessica and grows frustrated that their relationship is not moving faster.

Judy invites Jessica and Helen to dinner at their holiday house, where she tries to set them each up with a computer executive and Josh, respectively. A thunderstorm causes Helen to sleep over in Jessica's old bed, where she and Jessica have sex for the first time. The two of them are happy together, but Jessica stays closeted about her new relationship, refusing to bring Helen as her date to Dan's wedding for fear of what others will think. Devastated, Helen says she cannot accept being treated as a shameful secret, and tearfully breaks off their relationship.

As Dan's wedding approaches, Jessica sinks into a deep depression and goes to see Judy, who tells her that she is a perfectionist who always quits things if they are not perfect, even if they make her happy. Judy takes a deep breath and says that Jessica should not let this ruin her chances at happiness with Helen, who seems like "a lovely girl". Realizing her mother has accepted her sexuality, Jessica breaks down into tears of joy.

Jessica apologizes to Helen and invites her to be her date for Dan's wedding. Helen is a hit at the event and warmly welcomed into the family. Josh, meanwhile, has realized that he has been in love with Jessica for some time, and shares his feelings with her after the party. Jessica awkwardly but firmly explains that she is in a relationship with Helen and departs with her, leaving Josh speechless.

A few months later, Jessica and Helen are living together in Helen's apartment, where their sexual relationship begins to fade. Helen realizes that Jessica views her as a best friend and roommate more than a lover, and says that she needs more than Jessica is able to give. A fight ensues; Jessica implores Helen to accept their relationship as-is, but Helen remains steadfast to her need for a partner who satisfies her sexually, and the two split for good.

Several months later, Helen is happily living with another woman. Jessica is a calmer and more content version of her former self, having taken the positive things she learned from her time with Helen and applied them to her own life. She puts up fliers in a bookstore seeking a new roommate, missing the flirtatious interest of the attractive store owner. She spots Josh among the bookshelves, whom she has not seen since she left the paper to focus on her painting. They have a friendly catching-up, and she tells him that Helen dumped her, which was tough, but ultimately made her a better person. She gives Josh a flyer with her email on it. Later, Jessica meets up with Helen—the two women now solidly friends—and joyfully tells her that she is going on a date with Josh.

Cast

[edit]

Release

[edit]

Festival screenings

[edit]

The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on April 21, 2001,[3] receiving the Audience Award for Best Feature Film and a Critics' Special Jury Award.

The film was next shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, with screenings scheduled the day before and the day after the 9/11 attacks.[4] According to the DVD commentary track by Westfeldt and Juergensen, both screenings took place, with the second screening on September 12 producing audible gasps among audience members at the sight of the World Trade Center. The two filmmakers decided to eliminate the nine or ten scenes featuring the Twin Towers because they were not integral to the story and distracted from it.

Critical reception

[edit]

The film was hailed by critics upon release. It withstood some criticism from the LGBT community for not dealing in depth with the difficulties of being openly gay, but even among these criticisms, it was praised for portraying a same-sex relationship in a positive light. The website AfterEllen.com, which tracks the portrayal of lesbian and bisexual women in the media, reviewed the film positively.[5] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 121 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "A trite but refreshing and comical spin on nature of love."[6] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[7]

The Advocate magazine listed the film as an essential film for LGBT viewers, stating that "By no means is it a model lesbian movie—in fact, the film is a more honest look at bisexuality and sexual fluidity—but it is certainly a movie that encourages exploration and self-awareness."[8]

In the book Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire, Lisa M. Diamond cites the film as a notable example of female sexual fluidity in popular culture, writing that it "depicts a lesbian becoming involved with a man, contrary to the more widespread depictions of heterosexual women becoming involved in same-sex relationships."[9]

Accolades

[edit]

At the 7th Golden Satellite Awards, Westfeldt and Feldshuh won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy respectively.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Kissing Jessica Stein". BoxOfficeMojo.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  2. ^ Kissing Jessica Stein, Variety
  3. ^ Kissing Jessica Stein, Side Reel Archived 2008-05-07 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved on March 17, 2008
  4. ^ TIFF 2001 review of Kissing Jessica Stein Archived 2007-03-13 at the Wayback Machine from NOW magazine
  5. ^ Warn, Sarah (2007-07-17). "Review of "Kissing Jessica Stein"". AfterEllen. Archived from the original on 2012-12-01. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  6. ^ Kissing Jessica Stein at Rotten Tomatoes
  7. ^ "Kissing Jessica Stein". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  8. ^ "The Top 175 Essential Films of All Time for LGBT Viewers". The Advocate. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  9. ^ Diamond, Lisa M (2008). Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 2. ISBN 9780674032262.
  10. ^ Martin, Denise (January 13, 2003). "'Far' wins Golden Satellite kudos". Variety. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
[edit]
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