Kissing a Fool (1998)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Doug Ellin

Writers (WGA):

James Frey (story)
James Frey (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 February 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

There are three sides to every love story.

Plot:

Max is a popular local sports broadcaster and his marriage with attractive Sam is already set up. Max...

Plot Keywords:

Dominatrix | Chicago Illinois | Beautiful Woman

Cast

David Schwimmer	...	Max Abbitt
Jason Lee	...	Jay Murphy
Mili Avital	...	Samantha Andrews
Bonnie Hunt	...	Linda Streicher
Vanessa Angel	...	Natasha
Kari Wuhrer	...	Dara
Frank Medrano	...	Cliff Randal
Bitty Schram	...	Vicki Pelam
Judy Greer	...	Andrea
Ron Beattie	...	Priest
Doug Ellin	...	Bartender / Springer Guest
Tag Mendillo	...	Wedding Guest at Bar / Springer Guest
Justine Bentley	...	Beautiful Woman at Bar
Liza Cruzat	...	Dara's Friend #1
Jessica Mills	...	Dara's Friend #2

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language.

Runtime:

USA:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:15 | Iceland:L | USA:R (certificate #35766) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Largo Entertainment

Trivia:

The film is supposedly inspired by a short story, "The Tale of Impertinent Curiosity", included in Cervantes' "Don Quixote". Cervantes's short story, however, is a tragedy.

Quotes:

[on Jay putting an end to Max's hedonistic lifestyle]
Jay Murphy: I mean, Max, you don't wanna become that fourty-year-old guy who's still out at the clubs with the silk shirt and gold chains trying to pick up on college girls, do you?
Max Abbitt: Of course not, Jay... at forty, I wanna be the bald guy with a pony-tail and a Harley trying to pick up High School girls.
Jay Murphy: You're an idiot.
Max Abbitt: Yet you're the one in therapy.
Jay Murphy: You're the one who SHOULD be.
Max Abbitt: Maybe you can get me in! I've always wanted to pay a hundred bucks an hour to talk myself out of being happy.

Movie Connections:

References "The $64,000 Question" (1955)

Soundtrack:

Be Your Own

Enjoyable romantic comedy with great leads

A delightful romantic comedy, told in flashback from the wedding of two of the main characters by a guest who was responsible for bringing them together. David Schwimmer (best known as the meek Ross from the hit series "Friends") is cast WAY against type as the womanising, foul-mouthed, five-o'clock-shadowed bachelor who feels it's time for him to settle down. His best friend, played by Jason Lee, is trying to pick himself up after a painful breakup from a long-term relationship, and does so by writing a spiteful novel about his experiences with his ex. His book editor, played by Mili Avital, is also his platonic confidant and one day, he decides to introduce her to Schwimmer's character.

Needless to say, this is the start of a 'bizarre love triangle', with some very funny plot twists as well as some tugging of emotions. All three main characters are excellent, and this makes for quite an enjoyable film - something like a straighter, cleaner version of Chasing Amy, if anyone's looking for comparisons.