Weekly Review -- The vivacity of love

Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) -- There are not too many films that take an honest look at the brilliance of chaos that love creates in its inception; certainly, the films that challenge preconceived notions about love, sexuality and gender are few and far between. This little gem explores human connections without scruples and with no pretense. Following what seems like a lifetime of bad dates and dashed hopes, neurotic journalist Jessica Stein (Jennifer Westfeldt) replies to an ad by sexually open gallery owner Helen Cooper (Heather Juergensen). While Jessica frets about an attraction that she did not expect, her family will not stop lining up potential matches, and Helen is trying to deal with her partner being torn between her ingrained traditional values and the obvious sparks that keep flying between the pair. The emotional quotient of the film, written by Westfeldt and Juergensen, is off the charts. The writing is raw, melancholy, witty and, above all, supremely intelligent. The screenplay's quirks are innovative and intellectually inviting; the lipstick discussion, to name one of many examples, is perfectly hilarious. With her self-inflicted doubts and nail-biting über-jitters, Jessica is the love child of Woody Allen and Helen Fielding, made all the more endearing by Westfeldt's spontaneous charm. On the other hand, Juergensen's portrayal of Helen shows a vulnerable soul beneath the spirited exterior, a soul missing a mate to complete it. The chemistry between the two is sexy and playful, sketching a portrait of a prospective fling that defies expectations by blooming into a romance.

**SPOILERS AHEAD (please highlight to read)**

I was not sure how I felt about the ending at first, even seeing one aspect of it as tacked on for the sake of mainstream cinema; then again, just like life, it proves itself to be a complex affair. A sexual relationship is part of a meaningful union and a prolonged lack of intimacy can be a reasonable motive for a break-up. Subsequently, the final scene was a perspective shifter for me. The ending is not clear cut and I like the fact that it implies a world of choices for Jessica, or that it can at least be interpreted this way. It does not choose the future for her; rather, it lets her choose her own, purely based on what her heart desires. In this sense, it does represent a logical denouement to the on-screen proceedings.

**END OF SPOILERS**

The supporting cast provides a cushion of poignancy for the central narrative to land on. Tovah Feldshuh shows layers of emotion as Jessica's mother and Scott Cohen is all angst as Jessica's confused boss; also, look for a pre-"Mad Men" Jon Hamm as one of Jessica's potential Mr. Rights. Kissing Jessica Stein is one of those rare movies that make you wonder why you had not seen it earlier and make you wish all screenwriting was imbued with this kind of frankness.

9/10