The Kiss 2003

     Cara Thompson has been newly promoted to book editor.  She discovers a potential best-seller manuscript but it’s unfinished.  The story was in her predecessor’s office and it was submitted 20 years ago.  Cara is moved by the passionate love story and she sees parallels in her own life.  She must and she needs to find the author!!  She can’t publish the novel without the writer’s permission and she needs the ending.  She travels to meet the possible author and he was never able to finish the story?  He is still struggling to cope with the death of his wife Claire twenty years ago.  Cara forms a friendship with the author Philip Naudet.  They both draw wisdom and strength from each other and Philip is able to write the final chapter.

     There are complaints about ‘flaws’ in this film?  Other reviewers, have needed tissues as the story unfolded?  Cara received a marriage proposal and she gave the ring back.  This is the same thing that happened with Philip and his wife Claire.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)  

90 min, Drama directed by Gorman Bechard with Terence Stamp, Francoise Surel, Eliza Dushku, Billy Zane, Illeana Douglas, Steven Gilborn, William Mapother, Jossie Thacker, Steven Houska, Patty McCormack, Senta Moses Mikan, Gary Bullock, Gerry McIntyre. 

Note:  Imdb 5.6* out of 10*, Rotten Tomatoes 33% audience, Amazon 3.3* out of 5* with 34 reviews.

Special Note:  This film is based on Robert Doisneau’s famous 1950 photograph “Kiss by the Hotel de Ville.”  There is also a sculpture of The Kiss.  I was amazed at how thin the lead actress is, the camera is supposed to add pounds but not in this instance?  Francoise Surel’s performance earned her the Best Actress award at the 2003 San Diego Film Festival.