galapagos1809

These two amateur autuers nail the combination of realism, humor and message. Westfeldt and Juergensen's script doesn't shy away from portraying Stein's neuroses without remission as well as her rather conceited requirement that her friends have an abnormal degree of erudition. They get away with it because of Helen's balancing influence of organic non-chalance. The two brilliantly play off of each other and their conflicting character traits such that none of them weigh down the film for the viewer.

The ending is truly one to be envied (don't read on if you will see but haven't yet). Most big budget films would only pretend to end true, but this one actually does, sticking to the essential reality of the situation and staying withing the confines of its expounded philosophy (credit the poet Rilke). The Shawshank Redemption, Ruby In Paradise, Trainspotting, Hero, Tigerland...all movies with endings extraordinarily true to their premise. Kissing Jessica Stein follows these, and you get the additional treat of feeling as if you're in their world since the movie's indie sensibility is palpable throughout (passers-by obviously stop and gawk and the camera, they sample a lot of different neighborhood establishments that are easy to imagine as their personal hangouts). None of this mentions that fact that Tovah Feldshuh as Stein's lovingly autocratic mother is genius, commanding both sensitivity and charisma with aplomb.

I highly recommend this movie as one that will add some wisdom and a smile to your day. And the bonus features on the new DVD are above average, with a particularly good featurette of the costars taking you on a movie scene tour of their New York neighborhood. Enjoy!

I cannot begin to describe how amazing this movie is. Suffice it to say, anytime I'm depressed about how unfair or futile things seem, this is the movie I go rent to put me in the right frame of mind. The background music makes you realize the easiness of existence and how simplicity provides for the greatest happiness. The Indian girl that sings is but one example of a character in this film who does not try hard, and is happy as a result. Persifina, the laundry co-worker of Ruby's (Ashley Judd) is another=-her eyes and smile could make the hardest person's day. I watch this movie and I dream of better days to come or of a good conversation with friends, and I realize that being alone--Ruby is alone quite often--isn't the same as being lonely. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a thoughtful lull of a movie.