Kissing Jessica Stein (2001)

A woman searching for the perfect man instead discovers the perfect woman.

Director:

Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Writers:

Heather Juergensen, Jennifer Westfeldt

Stars:

Jennifer Westfeldt, Tovah Feldshuh, Esther Wurmfeld

8 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jennifer Westfeldt	...	Jessica Stein
Tovah Feldshuh	...	Judy Stein
Esther Wurmfeld	...	Grandma Esther
Hillel Friedman	...	Rabbi
Ben Feldman	...	Himself
Robert Ari	...	Sidney Stein
David Aaron Baker	...	Dan Stein
Jennifer Carta	...	Rachel - Dan's Fiancée
Ben Weber	...	Larry
Brian Stepanek	...	Peter
Nick Corley	...	Howard
Jackie Hoffman	...	Joan
John Cariani	...	Chuck
Scott Cohen	...	Josh Meyers
Christopher Berger	...	Malaprops Guy

Storyline

Jessica Stein is a single, straight, successful, journalist, part of a bonded Jewish family living in New York City, who finds herself not as straight as she thought when Jessica meets and begins an intense friendship with career woman Helen Cooper which ultimately leads to romance.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | new york city | friendship | journalist | friend | 

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Taglines:

When it comes to love, sometimes she just can't think straight.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Foxsearchlight [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 2002 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Seeking Same

Filming Locations:

Guilford, Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£102,234 (UK) (21 June 2002)

Gross:

£421,895 (UK) (12 July 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Brad Zions Films, Eden Wurmfeld Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of the film was shot in New York City and Connecticut but a couple of scenes, including the bookstore scene between Josh and Jessica, were re-shot in Los Angeles.

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Goofs

When Helen and Jessica are arguing outside the shop, you can see people in the background looking at them. Obviously these weren't extras, but bystanders who stopped on the street to watch the movie being shot.

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Quotes

[Josh is confronting Jessica after she made a private phone call]
Josh: You a little jumpy today Stein?
Jessica: No.
Josh: You got a hot date?
Jessica: No.
Josh: Yeah. Who's the guy?
Jessica: There's no guy.
Josh: Oh come on, you're a terrible, terrible liar.
Jessica: Trust me, there's no guy.

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Crazy Credits

For our parents.

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Connections

References Twilight: Los Angeles (2000)

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Soundtracks

"That Could Happen to Us"
Written by Chris Farren & Joshua Stevens
Performed by Jill Phillips
Courtesy of Music of Windswept/McGrace Music/1609 Songs (ASCAP)
All rights on behalf of McGrace Music and 1609 Songs administered by Music of Windswept (ASCAP) and of Combustion Music

User Reviews

A Risky Plot That Plays Beautifully-A Glorious Winner

The mantra of the successful and single career woman in New York City, and undoubtedly elsewhere, seems to have evolved to "All the good men are either married or gay." But still, through singles ads and avocation-based meeting places and just hope they persevere. Few decide that answering an ad in The Village Voice placed by a lesbian or bisexual woman is an antidote to the scarce-available-man dilemma.

That's just what copy editor and hopeful painter "Jessica" (Jennifer Westfeldt) does in "Kissing Jessica Stein" leading to an awkward first encounter, then a close friendship and ultimately an intimate relationship with a stunning, smart and funny art gallery manager, "Helen" (Heather Jurgenson). The film tracks their relationships with each other and with the people in their lives - family, friends, co-workers.

The story could easily have sunk to the level of a zany, fluffy, sex comedy or, perhaps, strived to be a "message" drama. It does neither. What makes it wonderful is that all the characters have whole lives which they live in confusion and compassion, pathos and passion. Superficially, they are familiar Manhattan, affluent stereotypes. In reality, they have all the longings and frailties - and strengths - of people everywhere. The character development is real and affecting without being cloy, cynicism is at a minimum. Helen and Jessica haven't stepped out of a Woody Allen take on Manhattan life.

Is Jessica really coming out for life as a lesbian or is she trolling in unfamiliar waters out of desperation for a friendship that includes intimacy? Has Helen given up myriad lovers of both sexes to settle into a domesticated gay relationship? Are the answers there? Should they be?

If a Lifetime Achievement Oscar for portraying the Jewish mother-in-law is ever awarded Tovah Feldshuh will get it. In this film she hovers dangerously close to a familiar caricature while projecting a warmth and wisdom deeper than the conventional portrait of the hectoring, always worried Jewish mom. The opening scene at a Day of Atonement synagogue service is priceless.

"Kissing Jessica Stein" is an Indie production based on the two leading actresses' collaboration in writing "Lipstick," their 1997 play. These are two very smart and insightful women: I hope more comes from their fertile and caring understanding of human, not just female but human, needs.

This film is very New York with scenes from a number of neighborhoods. I have mixed feelings about the post-11 September premiere decision to delete shots of the World Trade Center and replace them with the midtown skyline. A reviewer noted that audiences at the premiere were distracted by the WTC-dominated panoramas.

In a largely full theater with a number of clearly lesbian couples along with many more single people and (probably) heterosexual couples it was really nice to be part of an audience that burst into frequent laughter not based on sexual orientation but rather together as people enjoying a really clever, funny-and-serious, good film.