Kissed

This had an odd film to it that reminded me of Harold and Maude in tone. It does not really fit in any category which is always a good thing in my book. That said it didn't work on a complete level. I had problems with the boyfriend and I found it hard to believe the way he responded to her sleeping with dead people from the start. I expected him to be a little more horrified. I also didn't believe his outcome but I suppose it was always going to happen. Molly Parker was simply great and it was such a difficult role to pull off but she does it admirably. I really believed her and this world she ventured into. It manages to make a taboo subject seem quite fascinating which in itself is groundbreaking. I think it does stand true that if the sexes were switched then audiences would indeed have trouble swallowing the story but this way round it is more acceptable. Well that's the double standard thing again. Thought provoking and sensual. I take away from this Parker's performance more than anything, without her I think the film would be consigned to the annals of history.

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.

A reviewer complained about this movie not showing enough. Movies are not like television episodes. A movie is a finished product. Each movie vehical has to express not only specific acts and dialogue of the cast but has to also expell an artistic quality. A movie unlike television shows must be reviewed wholistically. Either a movie is a good total package or it is not. This is why most movie sequels do not work. It is usually impossible to recreate the unique once in a lifetime artistic expression of a film. I would suggest movie reviewers keep this in mind. Of course one should never watch movies with commercials. This totally breaks up the continuity and artistic expression of any film and reduces them to the level of a television episode. This film gave me a very mello, soft feeling, I could feel the main character's growing love and attraction as she discovered her innermost desires. I believe that the movie wanted the viewer to feel the passion in her mind not the actual phyical interaction with the bodies.

Movies about necrophilia are incredibly rare,mainly because this subject matter is too offensive for many filmmakers.So kudos should go to Lynne Stopkevich for creating this brave film(I'm dying to see her new feature "Suspicious River")."Kissed" isn't just another exploitation film-the depiction of necrophilia in it is really subtle.It's still more disturbing than many gross-out shockers,because it's so well-made.The acting is excellent and the direction is well-handled.So if you like this movie check out such necro-horrors like "Aftermath"(1993),"Buio Omega"(1979)and "Neromantik" series(1987,1992).The music(especially closing song)is amazing too!

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.