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

Many "extras" in the film were people who just happened to be walking by the cameras during filming in New York City.

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Goofs

The oranges disappear from Helen's hands at the fruit stand.

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Quotes

Josh: [after confessing his feelings to Jessica, he kisses her] So I guess I'd like to know if you have some sort of reaction to this. More specifically, do you want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?
[she doesn't respond at first, and Josh adopts a look of defeat and embarrassment]
Josh: Well, if you'll excuse me, I definitely need another drink.
Jessica: [she stops him] No, wait. I'd love to have dinner with you, but I can't.
Josh: What? Not the season?
Jessica: [laughs nervously] No. I mean I cant have dinner with you because ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

For our parents.

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Connections

References Meet the Parents (2000)

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Soundtracks

"I Wish You Love"
Written by Albert Beach & Charles Trenet
Performed by Blossom Dearie
Courtesy of EMI Virgin Music (ASCAP) and Capitol Records
Through arrangement with EMI-Capitol Special Markets

User Reviews

Elegant Hoydens

There are so few lesbian genre films "OUT" there. And for those lesbian genre films that do exist most have characters that are either disturbed psychopaths (my favorite- Heavenly Creatures) or cardboard cutout prototypes that have no place in my world. As result, unfortunately most lesbians are starved for good lesbian genre films. The best lesbian roles have usually been played out in supporting role characters within the main stream. To appease the appetite, `gaydar' commands an ever watchful eye to find those precious tidbits.

However, thank heavens for the charming wit and refreshingly real characters in "Kissing Jessica Stein". "Kissing Jessica Stein" goes beyond the stereotypical to explore individual characters for who they are and what they are going through in their lives. The film is a positive reinforcement on the value of relationships to an individual's personal growth and spiritual evolution.

"Kissing Jessica Stein" is a highly intelligent romantic comedy that goes deep to explore emotional relationships: Not only between Jessica and Helen but also between Jessica and her Mother, Jessica and Josh, other co-workers and all of their friends. The film highlights the importance of discovering yourself and of letting those that love and care about you know who and what makes you happy. Ultimately anyone that truly loves you wants you to be happy. Jessica and Helen's continued deep friendship after their breakup is testament to this. Jessica's painting, Josh's true love for writing and Helen's continued enjoyment of a lesbian sexual relationship is also testament.

All is true to the spiritual core of the writers intent. There is no definitive end to ongoing life. The writers cleverly leave us to "marinate" within our own imaginations.