Kissing Jessica Stein

Jessica Stein (Jennifer Westfeld) is sensitive, neurotic, and at the end of her emotional rope: her brother's engaged, her best friend's pregnant, she hasn't dated in a year and she can't sleep. When she finds a personal ad she tinks is perfect, she decideds to go for it - even if it is in the 'women seeking women' section.

Jessica's blind date is hip and funky Helen (Jurgensen), and they hit it off immediately. The evening of banter, flirting and heated debate ends in a kiss that intrigues Jessica. So she decides to give the relationship a whirl, and the couple prepare to muddle through an unorthodox courtship, making up the rules as they go along.

OK, so it's all a bit Sex and the City - but it's the best bits of Sex and the City, the smartest, funniest bits, given a broader appeal and a romantic glow. Like an upscale sitcom, the film has an unerring instinct for situations in wh ich its characters will do and say funny things.

Kissing Jessica Stein is not serious or really very intelligent - but it's not a no-brainer, either. Frothy romantic comedy with a bit of an edge, you couldn't do much better than kiss Jessica Stein.

Raven Carleton