French Kiss

My Wife and I have seen this movie about 10 times over the last few years, and it's always been good.

This is a great movie for everyone who always wanted to visit France and never had the chance. The chemistry between Meg and Kevin is so great. The effortless way they seem to carry this movie makes us feel we are right there on that train with them. I recommend this movie for people who like a light comedy with a happy ending.

"French Kiss" just didn't do it for me. I was expecting sparks, amusement--what I got didn't do it.

When the film opens, we see Kate (Ryan) in a plane trying to make herself comfortable. In the middle of takeoff, she loses it and tears what turns out to be a plane simulator apart. She returns home to tell her fiancee Charlie (Timothy Hutton) he's going to have to go to the medical conference in Paris without her. They part with plans to buy a home together from the nest egg Kate has built up. She gets the word a few days later, via phone that Charlie's fallen in love with a French goddess and he's going to get married before he returns.

So, Kate gathers her courage and actually takes that plane to Paris to get back her man. Her seatmate on the flight is Luc (Kline) a handsome Frenchman who unbeknowst to her swindles a grape plant and a diamond necklace in her luggage. He offers her a ride to Paris from the airport believing that he can recover the goods from her. When they separate and Kate's baggage gets stolen, Luc helps her retrieve it, but he realizes he doesn't have the diamond necklace so he has to chase her across France to get it...

Writing it, the story sounds a lot better than what I sat through. The humor just wasn't there for me--both Kate and Luc had 'problems' they had to overcome during their trip. Both of those problems felt more like too much information than anything interesting. None of the characters actually 'clicked' to me. While the plot was enough to keep me watching, it wasn't enough to make me actually 'like' the film. I guessed the mystery and was just waiting to be proven right. The soundtrack, sadly, was so many of the same old songs I hear on almost every American made French movie.

If you love French films, any of the principal actors, romance--you may like this film. I just considered it 'lite' on all of the elements that should have been present.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008

Meg Ryan helped produce this truly charming and thoughtful romantic comedy which sort of slipped in and out of theatres much too fast upon its initial release in the 90's. Perhaps because it unfolds slowly and relies on gentle charm and intelligence rather than flashes of nudity and raw situations to reel the viewer in, many used to being bombarded by the latter simply didn't have the patience to stick around for what is one of the best romantic comedies to come along in ages.

Lawrence Kasdan let this dish simmer until the aroma finally overcomes the viewer, our hunger rewarded once it is finished by its delectable flavor. Beautifully shot by Owen Roizman, the lush backgrounds take a back seat to the story in a film that is sweet and irresistible. Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline are both wonderful in the kind of film which doesn't get made anymore.

Kate (Meg Ryan) is devastated when her boyfriend (Timothy Hutton) decides to stay in Paris and marry a breathtaking French beauty who makes him think of sonnets rather than return and marry her. She overcomes her phobia of flying in order to confront him, but meets a charming French thief named Luc (Kevin Kline) on the plane with plans to use her to smuggle something past customs.

There is a tender charm to everything which follows as Kate and Luc get entangled in each others problems and finally realize who they really need. Jean Reno is excellent as Luc's cop pal who really doesn't want to arrest him but has to get back what was taken. When Kate discovers what Luc needs the money for, it will change her entire outlook on the situation. A pact to help each other may go awry, however, as each finally discerns that it may not be too late to go for what they really want in their hearts.

This is a rich and rewarding film, with the appeal of a warm and unexpected smile from an unpretentious girl. It sticks with you afterward, while other films in the genre with less depth and more flash are forgotten five minutes after you see them. A simple kiss from a half-asleep Kate on a train which stirs feelings in Luc he had not counted on is more memorable because of the way in which it is handled. Ryan is hilarious crawling down a hallway covered in food at one point, trying not to let Charlie (Hutton) and his hot French girlfriend Juliette (Susan Anbeh) see her.

Not just one of the best romantic comedies of the 90's, but one of the best in decades, this is romance for the smart set. Watching this delightful film is like reading a book rather than leafing through a magazine. It takes longer to get to the end, but the rewards are far greater. A real gem and an incredible bargain.

I love this movie !! I've bought multiple copies, told lots of friends about it, and continue to laugh at Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline everytime I watch it. Watch Kevin Kline closely, his humor is constant & subtle. Meg Ryan is at her comedic best. Chick Flick, yes, but when you want a funny romantic bit of time to share with someone special it is perfect.