Kissed

Maybe the greatest achievement of the film is that it was able to deal with an subject such as necrophilia without falling into tastelessness. It's easy getting horrified at the idea of people being sexually attracted for corpses, but the relationship of mankind with death (That primigenial and fascinating fear) can go that far and, if you think of it, it goes way far beyond . If you are not willing to get into any reflexions about how the dead are treated, you may fell uneasy about the film. The contrast between Sandra and the other people manipulating bodies (the teachers, the embalmer) is rather eloquent.

But what I personally liked the best about it is how it figures relationships, elucidating the insane need of one not having the other have its own and private corner, the need of forcing the other to share it, and the woe that comes from not being able to stand it. In this line, necrophilia becomes just an excuse.

Maybe I'm just being lucky, but over the last couple of years I've watched a whole bunch of fantastic Canadian movies by directors such as Atom Egoyan, Bruce McDonald and Don McKellar. These guys are making movies that are wiping the floor with most of their American contemporaries! After watching 'Kissed' add Lynne Stopkewich to that list.

She has managed to make an intelligent and touching movie about one of the last sexual taboos - necrophilia. I can't think of any other movie off the top of my head that has dealt with this subject that isn't either horror or exploitation. Now I love good horror and exploitation movies, don't get me wrong, it's just amazingly refreshing to see this kind of thing handled in a completely different and thoughtful way.

The writing, direction, cinematography are all perfect, and the acting is first class throughout. Especially Molly Parker in the lead role. Parker was funny and sweet in the cult TV show 'Twitch City' with Don McKellar, but reveals even more depth and talent with this outstanding and unforgettable performance. 'Kissed' is a totally unique and special movie. Once seen, never forgotten. I look forward to more movies from Stopkewich. If 'Kissed' is any indication of her braveness and originality, she could well turn into one of THE great film makers of this decade.

The story in this movie is, as often quoted, controversial - and its a story one could expect a great movie of. However, this one fails strongly to get deep into the issue, to what *really* drives Sandra (the girl in the movie) to her different sexual experiences, and likewise, how her "boyfriend" *really* feels about it which eventually leads to the tragic ending. It is very shallow and only touches on the edge of the mystery. 78 minutes running time could easily be extended by half an hour in order to incorporate this. A better script and a better director would probably lift the movie up to the unreasonable high average it has reached at IMDB...

Film lovers: Please don't pay too much attention to the Marco Devilboy review of this unusual film. I can understand someone not enjoying KISSED because it deals with a supremely unappetizing subject. But then it quietly, delicately opens up that subject (and the characters involved) and wraps the viewer in an embrace that becomes both irresistible and horrifying. The movie works. When I first saw it, it introduced me to a young actress I have since followed and never seen give a bad performance: Molly Parker. Peter Outerbridge is wonderful, too. Recalling this film now, several years after first watching it, such a rush of thoughts and feelings come back to me that I will probably have to see it once again. If you are willing to go somewhere you never imagined you would find yourself--and then deal with what you discover there--KISSED is not to missed.

This film is quite frankly the only one that has ever brought tears to my eyes. This compelling and profound stir of taboo makes quick work of my knees and I've grown quite fond of it. The acting in this movie was shockingly surreal. Their ability to guide the undertones in effect are rather impressive and my attempts at criticism can only accumulate around the sound editing in which some transitional music and whatnot seemed lesser than par. Nothing in this piece has been overworked or emphasized to exhaustion. I am more than impressed by the simplicity that guides an endless river of emotion in which it captures the one thing.. the one word so overused, abused and neglected; love.