Kissing a Fool

For the George Michael song, see Kissing a Fool (song).

Kissing a Fool
Promotional film poster
Directed by	Doug Ellin
Written by	James Frey Doug Ellin
Produced by	Stephen Tag Mendillo Andrew Form Rick Lashbrook
Starring	David Schwimmer Jason Lee Mili Avital Vanessa Angel Kari Wührer Bonnie Hunt
Narrated by	Bonnie Hunt
Cinematography	Thomas Del Ruth
Edited by	David Finfer
Music by	Joseph Vitarelli
Production companies	Largo Entertainment Rick Lashbrook Films
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	February 27, 1998 (1998-02-27)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$19 million
Box office	$4,106,588

Kissing a Fool is a 1998 American romantic comedy film directed by Doug Ellin. It primarily stars David Schwimmer, Jason Lee, Mili Avital, Kari Wührer, and Vanessa Angel.

Synopsis

Max (David Schwimmer), an alpha-male commitment-phobic sports broadcaster, and Jay (Jason Lee), a neurotic novelist, have been best friends since childhood. Jay has just broken up with his girlfriend, Natasha (Vanessa Angel) and is writing his first book about their relationship in Milan, Italy.

Jay sets Max up with his editor Samantha (Mili Avital). Although they share few interests, they are engaged within two weeks. Still, when Max is confronted with the fact that Sam will be the last woman he will sleep with, he proposes a test. Jay will hit on Sam. If she shows no interest, then Max will be confident enough in her loyalty to go ahead with the marriage. However while Jay doesn't want to, the two realize they are obviously made for each other.

Cast

• David Schwimmer – Max Abbitt
• Jason Lee – Jay Murphy
• Mili Avital – Samantha Andrews
• Bonnie Hunt – Linda Streicher
• Kari Wührer – Dara
• Vanessa Angel – Natasha
• Bitty Schram – Vicki Pelam
• Judy Greer – Andrea
• Frank Medrano – Cliff Randal
• Ron Beattie – Priest
• Doug Ellin – Bartender (and Springer Guest)
• Tag Mendillo – Wedding Guest at Bar (and Springer Guest)
• Justine Bentley – Beautiful Woman at Bar
• Liza Cruzat – Dara's Friend
• Jessica Mills – Dara's Friend #2
• Sammy Sosa – Himself
• Jerry Springer – Himself
• Mike Squire – Spanish Man in Bed
• Marco Siviero – French Man in Bed
• Steve Seagren – Heckler
• Philip R. Smith – Fan on the Street
• Jayson Fate – Rudolpho
• Ross Bon – Blue Kings Lead Singer
• Antimo Fiore – Tony

Reception

Kissing a Fool received mostly negative reviews from critics, earning a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 31 reviews.

Box office

The movie did not make as much profit as expected. The film's budget was US$19 million and the box office took in just US$4.107 million.

Soundtrack

The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on March 24, 1998, with music composed by Joseph Vitarelli.

Track listing

1. "Baby Drives Me Wild" – The Mighty Blue Kings
2. "Leaving Town"
3. "The Girl Who Is"
4. "The Green Mill" – The Mighty Blue Kings
5. "Spark Of My Life" – The Mighty Blue Kings
6. "Here She Comes"
7. "Visiting Natassia"
8. "Bad Date"
9. "Grinnin' Like A Chessy Cat" – The Mighty Blue Kings
10. "Pure Rental"
11. "Jay Alone"
12. "Martinis"
13. "The Toast"
14. "At Last" – Etta James

Other notable songs not featured in the soundtrack include:

• "We Are In Love" – Harry Connick, Jr.
• "Ready For Love" – Bad Company
• "All Out Of Love" – Air Supply
• "Learn To Love" – Harry Connick, Jr.
• "Last" – Gravity Kills
• "Crazy" – Cordrazine
• "Be Your Own" – Rebekah

Locations

Filmed in Chicago, Illinois, Kissing A Fool utilises several locations within the area. Amongst them are:

• Lincoln Park Zoo
• The Green Mill Jazz Club
• Wrigley Field
• Outside the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist building
• Ambria Restaurant at 2300 N. Lincoln Park W., which closed in June 2007
• Lake Bluff's bluff was used as the back drop for the film's wedding scenes

External links

• Kissing a Fool at IMDb
• Template:Amg movie
• Kissing a Fool at Rotten Tomatoes
• Kissing a Fool at Box Office Mojo