I just had the pleasure of seeing Just a Kiss at my sneak preview symposium. It was the first film of the semester and it was a great start.
It's rare that I see a film that is so original and brilliant. The story is fresh, all the actors are perfectly cast, and it had my full attention from the very first scene. Patrick Breen has written a story about a group of people who's lives are interconnected and we see the stories unfold from 4 or 5 perspectives. Not an easy feat to accomplish, and it's done so well in this film. Patrick Breen is also one of the leads in this film. When he's on screen, it's great fun to see what his next move will be, how he'll move his eyebrow or cock his head -- his performance is right on target and totally charming. Marisa Tomei gives another unforgettable portrayal of a woman who isn't what she appears to be. She also looks as if she's having the time of her life as Paula, the waitress at the bowling alley.
The film also makes use of the rotoscope -- a way of animating a live performance, which was used in Waking Life. It's used to much more effectively in this film to highlight and focus in on certain elements, and even to soften certain harsh images. The movie would not have been as much fun without this element -- it would have been much flatter and I don't think the humor would shine the way it does. Without the vivid use of the rotoscope, the movie would have taken a darker tone.
Fisher Stevens directorial debut is an auspicious one and hopefully the start of an enduring new career. I have a feeling Just a Kiss may become a hit, just like Big Fat Greek Wedding. It had a small budget and was shot in 21 days, but comes across as polished as a big budget studio film, but with a much a much better storyline and final result. This movie proves that a having a big budget is not what makes a good film (which audiences already know, but the studios don't) -- it helps to have an intelligent screenplay, and characters we care about, and are interesting to follow from start to finish.
I hope Just a Kiss becomes a huge hit...so spread the word. You're friends will thank you.
It's rare that I see a film that is so original and brilliant. The story is fresh, all the actors are perfectly cast, and it had my full attention from the very first scene. Patrick Breen has written a story about a group of people who's lives are interconnected and we see the stories unfold from 4 or 5 perspectives. Not an easy feat to accomplish, and it's done so well in this film. Patrick Breen is also one of the leads in this film. When he's on screen, it's great fun to see what his next move will be, how he'll move his eyebrow or cock his head -- his performance is right on target and totally charming. Marisa Tomei gives another unforgettable portrayal of a woman who isn't what she appears to be. She also looks as if she's having the time of her life as Paula, the waitress at the bowling alley.
The film also makes use of the rotoscope -- a way of animating a live performance, which was used in Waking Life. It's used to much more effectively in this film to highlight and focus in on certain elements, and even to soften certain harsh images. The movie would not have been as much fun without this element -- it would have been much flatter and I don't think the humor would shine the way it does. Without the vivid use of the rotoscope, the movie would have taken a darker tone.
Fisher Stevens directorial debut is an auspicious one and hopefully the start of an enduring new career. I have a feeling Just a Kiss may become a hit, just like Big Fat Greek Wedding. It had a small budget and was shot in 21 days, but comes across as polished as a big budget studio film, but with a much a much better storyline and final result. This movie proves that a having a big budget is not what makes a good film (which audiences already know, but the studios don't) -- it helps to have an intelligent screenplay, and characters we care about, and are interesting to follow from start to finish.
I hope Just a Kiss becomes a huge hit...so spread the word. You're friends will thank you.