The Kiss (2003 Video) User Reviews

Unfinished novel

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 12 February 2006]

Reading the disclaimer from the director of this film, Gorman Bechard, makes a lot of sense, as it explains a lot of questions one asked about it while watching it. "The Kiss" must have shown a lot of potential in order for this project to have gone ahead, but it appears there was a lot of cutting, making the film incomprehensible, at times.

The best thing in the film are Terence Stamp and Eliza Dushku, who make the best out of their characters. In flashbacks we see Billy Zane and Francoise Surel as the protagonists of the novel without an ending, and in real life. Alas, these two actors don't live up to what Mr. Bechard probably had in mind.

Since the director was not consulted in the cuts, one can't hold him accountable for what comes out in the screen, yet, one sees the possibilities of what could have been in small doses.

"The Kiss" had good potential, but the interesting premise was not realized

[lavatch · 4/10 · 21 December 2005]

An eager young editor joins the staff of a major publishing house and discovers an old, dusty manuscript with the potential of becoming a best-selling romantic novel. But the manuscript is missing the final pages, and the editor sets off in quest of finding the mysterious author and the story's conclusion.

There was unlimited potential for developing both a suspenseful and passionate story about the lost pages and the missing author. And while "The Kiss" was competently directed by Gorman Bechard, the good premise was not fulfilled, due to the nearly total absence of passion among the main characters.

While Françoise Surel was believable as the mousy editor, she was ineffective in the all-important romantic action. Surel appears in both the main story as the editor and in flashback scenes that recreate the fictional story of the mysterious and reclusive author Philip Naudet (Terence Stamp) and his relationship with his beloved Claire.

At some point in the film, the sparks needed to fly and the chemistry needed to be forged. But throughout the film, there was nothing truly "at stake" for the characters.

The shortcomings of "The Kiss" may be seen when this film is compared to a similar romantic film entitled "The Notebook." In both films, there are two parallel plots set in the present and the past. But in "The Notebook," there was genuine passion; the stakes were high for all of the characters; and the film included a riveting performance by the leading performer (Rachel McAdams) which linked the two stories.

With "The Notebook," I empathized with the characters and their life-changing decisions, and I felt compelled to view the film a second time. With "The Kiss," the most profound detail was in the writer Naudet's suggestion to Cara to read Gustave Flaubert's famous novel "The Sentimental Education." In order to make a film with more psychological depth and emotional life, the producers of "The Kiss" needed to follow that same advice

from the director of the film

[GormanBechard · 3/10 · 8 July 2005]

Just to set the record straight, Francoise Surel is the wife of producer Arthur Chang. She was on board the project from the get-go.

And while I truly appreciate some of the kind comments about the film, please know that I had nothing to do with the final version of the film. It was completely recut to focus on Ms. Surel. Likewise, the music was changed. I'm not at all fond of this final cut. And to say that I dislike the music is an understatement. And please know that the voice overs from the novel were written by other writers, not myself or Mr. Manzi.

While some of the better moments survived this cut (it's hard to make Eliza and Terence look bad), many unfortunately have not.

But nonetheless, thank you for watching, Gorman Bechard.

I went to Boston for *this*?!

[kaseino · 26 September 2003]

I'll see anything Eliza Dushku is in, but I was really looking forward to this after getting my hands on a copy of the script. Suffice it to say I wasn't impressed. Apparently neither were the writers - before the film began, Stephen Manzi stood up and asked the audience not to laugh in the wrong places, as well as other comments of a similar nature that escape my swiss-cheese memory.

I can't quite put my finger on what was wrong with The Kiss. It's a wonderful story with an incredibly talented cast, but something got lost along the way. The script moved me to sappy romantic tears and the movie completely failed to move me.

A bad Lifetime movie

[SoSickOfTheRain · 1/10 · 22 September 2003]

I rewatched this film on DVD and am stunned as to WHAT HAPPENED?

I was lucky enough to have seen the director's cut of this film in an editing room during August of 2002. Not that it was ever a great film, but it was certainly watchable, with some fun moments. Eliza Dushku, especially, was charming and funny. Really...she stole the film.

But now the fun is gone, lost to these insipid Billy Zane scenes (which had barely existed) and these voice-overs from the book that make me want to gag. Everything is so melodramatic.

I know the star is the producer's wife, but even she was so much better in the original cut. This cut really does make it seem like a vanity project, a reel for Surel.

Why hire the director of The Pretty Girl for such a task?

Having heard the film was recut from scratch, and seeing the final results, I can only wonder: WHY? Did the producers want to make it unwatchable? If that was their goal, they succeeded.

And if they wanted to give us the sappiest collection of mis-matched tunes ever, ditto.

I so remember the Getup Kids song "Mass Pike" playing during the road trip (when Dushku and Surel are driving in the red Mustang)...how cool was that? So cool that the producer pulled it and every lick of the director's music.

And the opening...this brilliant montage of Paris with a Django-type tune in the background...also gone.

What's left...a lot of Zane and Surel...overacting.

There should be a law here like in France where the director controls the film! The Kiss could be exhibit #1.

Sappy Piece of Slow Moving Harlequin Romance

[valerie-86 · 1/10 · 11 December 2005]

I usually like and can even withstand bad, sappy romantic stories. However, this piece was not just unforgivably slow it was practically incoherent! By the time it reached someplace meaningful you no longer cared. With a cast like this one, it was pretty unforgivable it could turn out as bad. It was obvious a lot could have been made better in the editing process. So many CUTS or fades to black were unnecessary and made the whole production appear sophomoric. I've seen better college student films. In my opinion, more time was spent on set decoration than in meaningful editing or pacing. There were no BEATS, nor forward momentum which made it intolerable. So many things it WASN'T... wasn't a buddy movie, wasn't a love story, wasn't a mystery, wasn't sex enough and wasn't worth watching! And all this from someone who DOES work in the publishing field and LIKED the concept of this story!

Phenomenal Supporting Cast Carries the Film

[Quicksand · 7/10 · 29 June 2005]

I liked this movie. I really did. I rented it on a whim, because of the presence of Eliza Dushku, Terrence Stamp and yes, I admit it, even Billy Zane. This is what the producers wanted me to do-- these are the actors featured most prominently on the DVD cover art. I was suckered, which is unfortunate, but I'm not mad I watched it.

The writing, direction, production value, and make-up are nothing I can complain about--- . This is a cute idea for a story and the music is pleasant and the costuming is really great, subtly but instantly telling you someone is an ex-professor, or party animal, or all business. The actors mentioned above really came to play, making the most of dialogue that varied from mediocre to cheesy, though the cheesy can be passed off as being quoted from a manuscript that is the center of the films plot.

My lone complaint, though this is a major one, is the actress playing the lead, Cara. She's awful. Atrocious. Community Theater bad. She has one facial expression-- this goofy, awkward smile-- which goes away when she says her lines, then returns instantly. Every actor around her exudes charisma and demands your attention just by being there, but Francoise Surel (the DVD credits say she's a former make-up artist) is a blank slate, her several costume changes are more interesting than she is.

All I can think is, the director cast his girlfriend, which was unfortunate because the rest of the movie works so well around her. Ultimately it doesn't matter, because even with a skilled, experienced or interesting actress in the lead, the film still wouldn't be worthy of a theatrical release, but it was still sweet and charming nonetheless. Perhaps a subplot would have helped-- though it doesn't feel like it, the film only runs 80 minutes.

I can see the producers sitting in their office... "Wow, Terrence Stamp said yes? We're LUCKY to get Terrence Stamp. Eliza Dushku said yes? Wow, she's really popular, we're LUCKY to get Eliza Dushku. Ileana Douglas said yes? Wow, she's an indie-QUEEN, we're LUCKY to get Ileana Douglas. Now, we need to cast the romantic lead, to really bring in an audience... hmm.... do you think Francoise Surel is available?"

Yeah, she's totally some dudes girlfriend. She might be nice in real life, but on film she's just a 6-foot skinny-as-a-rail liability (with D-cups, which seems unlikely). Still, this charming, slightly predictable movie overcomes her... by a hair. It's sweet, romantic and better than whatever is on Lifetime this week.... worth a look.

Don't waste your time!

[tammydawn1978 · 2/10 · 18 March 2006]

This movie started out with an interesting premise and then got lost from there. I have read the comments about the main actress being the producer's wife and that makes sense because I can't imagine an anorexic, fake D-cup breasted actress of questionable talent getting a part outside of porn land unless there was a nepotism connection. I honestly could not focus on some of the plot because I was concerned about the bones sticking out of her leg and arms, especially in the scene where the girls are eating ice cream. Eliza Dushku was actually great in this movie and stole as many scenes as she could. This movie wasn't even on par with the quality of a Harlequin novel, let alone an award winning movie. Don't waste the time it will take to load it into the DVD player unless you are an Eliza fan.

Touching and Sweet also Somewhat Unrealistic

[Scoval71 · 7/10 · 7 April 2006]

Well, I liked this movie. I thought it was rather sweet and touching. I found the character of Cara especially true to life and made more so by the lovely and talented actress Francoise Surel, who I never heard of before.....but she is very pretty and a natural, believable actress. I disagree with the hateful comments here by other reviewers. I found her perfect for the part. The only problem here I found was the part where the old boyfriend of Cara's is still in a funk after 10 years--has not remarried, and as I said, after 10 years, all he can seem to paint is portraits of a girl he dated in college. This parallels with the 20 year mourning done by the Terence Stamp character. The parallels are just too, too unrealistic. Also that the male writer character in the past had no British accent and 20 years later, he does. In any event, it is a sweet film, well acted, but very, very unrealistic. A very happy ending here, but in real life, such a happy ending would never, ever, ever happen. You can bet that the boyfriend remarried. You decide.

No Good

[teddyryan · 2/10 · 25 January 2006]

Before you make fun of this movie or talk about how awful it is, I suggest you read director's Gorman Bechard's defense testimonial. In it, he says that the main actress (gaunt Mia Farrow look-alike) was cast because she was the producer's wife, that someone else edited the picture, and that the music was brought in later. As a result, maybe this is simply a life lesson about Hollywood and how it corrupts anything good. Still, how can one let Mr. Bechard off the hook for having the great Terrence Stamp wear white sneakers? I mean, the guy is supposed to be a JD Salinger-like character and he's in Keds??? That, is kind of tough to forgive. But, alas, what isn't?

It's a beautiful, authentic film.

[starybrt · 8/10 · 27 February 2004]

I was touched by the over all presentation of this film. It reminds me the feeling of walking in the woods in colorful autumn. All the charming textures and senses of a romantic story were well presented throughout the entire production. The story combines precious moments of that famous kiss scene and a woman's journey to discover her optimal loving and beauty in her reality realm. This abundance of love and romance echos through this film has provided a very warm, soothing comfort to the viewers. The actors and actress are very real and natural which makes a fancy story become earthy, full of life. Music, camera, in terms of visual and audio design created poetic dimensions in the film. It is definitely a beautiful, authentic film, for a viewer like me, it was a great experience in enjoying " The Kiss".

cheesiest crap I've ever seen - all markings of vanity film

[Javierjaltieri · 1/10 · 13 October 2004]

OK so this is not an A list cast but they are still names with talent and Terence Stamp is one of the finest actors working. Aside from the money and possible blackmail what could have possessed these actors to participate in this piece of cliché ridden garbage? The "automatic" best seller that serves as the engine of the plot could never even make it as a harlequin romance. The awful love story is of the heaving white bosom variety and positively nauseating. This is some of the worst writing I've ever seen and the DIRECTING! Jeez what this guy lets his actors get away with! Eliza does nothing but moon and pose at the camera while the lead actress slinks around with this stupid frozen grin on her face. Ileana, I love you - you're great - what happened? And Billy, things can't be THIS bad. Cheesy enough to require a cholesterol check. Better film on teeth. Shockingly awful. All the markings of a vanity film.

Out of the ordinary

[lumierebl · 25 September 2003]

Finally, a film with content and true character development. The Kiss, which I viewed at the San Diego Film Festival, is one of the most refreshing films I've seen for a long time. Is it setting the scene for a turnaround in the American film style? I hope so. The storyline flows elegantly throughout the scenes from beginning to end. A realistically rendered emotional scene with Terrence Stamp and Francoise Surel toward the end only makes you wish that the film would not end so soon. A genuine change from the vapid, in-your-face, so-called dramas we have been subjected to over the last few years. This film brings the whole concept of movie watching up a notch. Highly recommend it.

awful

[vampirela · 1/10 · 28 November 2005]

i am a great fan of Eliza Dushku, i really am, cause she is pretty, funny, sexy, and everything, and she was the only reason i've watched this catastrophe. i was suffering, and by the end of the film, in the last 20-25 minutes i was holding my hands up, so i couldn't see the short hair woman, because she was so ugly. watching this film, i realized only women with long hair are feminine. this ugly woman with her big fake smile, and blank face, dreadful body, i cannot understand why would anyone ever pick her.. i can only imagine her in black lack suit, holding a whip.. the story was so boring to, and it had no sense at all ( why would anyone give everything he owned to a woman he met like 3 days ago ) also, the book the story was about, should have been a brilliant story, so we ( the viewers ) could understand why they wanted it so bad, but the story was a big nothing :( poor Eliza, i wonder why she agreed doing this film.. and again.. what is someone sympathetic played the main role? maybe then i could have enjoyed this film..

Why did Terence Stamp do this movie?

[baptiste70 · 2/10 · 4 October 2003]

Between this and My Boss's Daughter, Terence Stamp's career is really taking a nose dive. Why he's choosing these roles is beyond me. Yes, Terence is great in this role, but he has nothing to work with. This movie is so dull and pointless, with poor written dialogue and bland characters. I nearly fell asleep during it. Don't waste your time seeing this film. There's much better infomercials you could be watching.

And this was made because

[chung101 · 2/10 · 25 September 2003]

This film does not make you want to kiss anything but the money that you hopefully won't spend on it. And if you do watch it it is a long hard kiss goodbye to your ten dollar bill. After reading a little description about this film on the website for the Boston Film Festival, a friend and I decided to see it. I regret that decision daily. This film was just so stupid. It was an after school special gone bad. NO, a soap opera made into a script. No, even worse a serious idea that was actually taken serious enough by someone with money that it was made. The characters was cliche and predictable. Eliza, played the sexual bartender roommate to the quiet,hopeless romantic book editor. The plot was ridiculous because the story that they were searching for an ending for was NOT EVEN INTERESTING. Just a little aside, I have always thought that Billy Zane was a little weird, maybe it is from my jaded view of him in "Titanic" or those random Marilyn Manson video (not that I have anything against Marilyn Manson) but seeing him in this horrible film, as a hopeless romantic keeps my opinion of him jaded.

Laughable

[shs8r3 · 2/10 · 30 March 2006]

In a word, this film was laughable. From the acting to the scenery to the plot, the entire film was laughable. The one death scene in the movie had me rolling on the floor in fits of hysteria. Seriously, I had to pause and rewind it was that bad. The only really likable character is the roommate played by Eliza Dushku. The main character is whiny and pathetic. Even the flashbacks are a joke. From what was read of this so-called brilliant novel, it seemed like sappy melodramatic tripe. I was however, compelled to know how it ended, which was the driving force, the point, of the movie. It gets one star for that, and one for Eliza.

Waste of time

[nirvanamassageaz · 3/10 · 10 July 2019]

Empty soulless acting. Bad or no chemistry with the romantic couples. Awful cheesy music. Plot was good in the beginning but lost it's grip about half way through.

Moving elegance and delicateness

[roland-scialom · 9/10 · 27 February 2006]

The novel written by Philip Naudet is his love story with Claire; a real love story, lived in Paris, a generation before Cara (he is about 30 years older than Cara). Cara's job, as a publisher, brings her close to Philip, because she is interested to publish Philip writing.

During the film, Philip novel is a conducting thread which leads Cara to moving discoveries. She discovers in Philip a sensitive soul mate, who loves the same way she does. And she actually falls in love with him. She also discovers in the love story of the novel, her own love story. Even in the fact that the last chapter of the novel hasn't been written yet, the same way the last move of her love affair with Allan Roberts hasn't still been done.

When the film reaches its end, one realizes that Cara heart passed through a very rich experience: she had a love affair with Allan Roberts, before she met Philip; then, she nurtured a delicate platonic love for Philip (thanks to Philip), and finally she devises a way of getting together again with the guy she loves, Alan Roberts, and with whom it'a possible to proceed the love story.

This magic is due to the genius of Philip who lived a great love story some years ago, who is eternally able to fall in love, whose extreme elegance, and delicateness, makes it possible to give to his love for Cara platonic issues.

Additional magic is provided by the parallel between the actual characters and love stories and those of Philip novel.

This film, as a whole, has plenty of beautiful, elegant and delicate moves. This makes it a beautiful and moving film which is worth it to be seen.

Tug at the Heart

[hopelex1 · 9/10 · 7 January 2006]

I watched 'The Kiss' earlier today and it was a moving film. It actually brought me to tears. The acting was decent and Billy Zane proved to be the perfect dreamboat. I loved how they would go from black and white to color. It made the film feel more realistic.

The storyline, in general, without giving too much away was realistic from beginning to end. I actually could connect with some of the characters; understanding why they did some of the things that they did.

It was interesting seeing Billy dressed the way that he was in the latter scene(s), but the kiss, did it for me. I would recommend anyone who believes in love to see this movie.

Sweet and Touching

[thirtysomething · 10/10 · 23 February 2004]

I saw this film with a friend at the Boston Film Festival and highly recommend this wonderful movie. It's romantic, touching and genuine. The cast is solid and altogether charming. This movie was a joy to watch.

Great job by great actors and great story

[cltanberg · 10/10 · 6 July 2005]

I was very moved by the great acting in "The Kiss" and sent my comments to many of my relatives and friends. Shed lots of tears on a movie I almost did not watch, but once I surfed the channels and found it and started watching I was unable to stop watching. Great acting by some very great actors and actresses. Thank you for your fine performances. If I was handing out "Oscars" you would all be in line for best actor, actress, supporting actor and actress. Thank you for a wonderful job. I immediately thought of a lovely lady with whom I have had a wonderful online romance for several years. I immediately contacted her to tell her to see "The Kiss" and to get her comments pertaining to our online romance. Thank you for the great acting and story Chuck Tanberg

Call me a hopeless romantic

[dlpmedia · 1 October 2003]

With no screaming visual effects, no killing and no mayhem, this may not be the film for the romantically challenged. What is there is a story with a heart, characters motivated by feelings and passion. A timeless desire for togetherness is molded into two stories that are really one. Artistically crafted with a wonderful score, this is a picture for those who seek the best in people and it reminds us of what can be. I highly recommend this to those of us who still can connect with their heart.