Kissing Jessica Stein

One of the most pervasive of societal tendencies is that of the artificially imposed dichotomy. The idea that people invariably fall into one of two distinct categories. These categories can be biological, political, sexual, or any of the innumerable other aspects of the human personality. What tends to occur, as a result, is that people are perceived as either/or (male/female, democrat/republican, gay/straight) without any room given to the myriad of possibilities outside of the dichotomy. “Kissing Jessica Stein” is a movie that looks at what happens when two people begin to explore those possibilities. This is a movie about two “straight” women finding themselves outside the dichotomy, in a territory where society has yet to impose all the rules.

When we first meet Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) she is a single, neurotic, quite judgmental and very lonely woman. Her mother (a hilarious turn by Tovah Feldshuh) is constantly trying to fix her up, making it perfectly clear that Jessica is getting up there (at the advanced age of 28) and needs to find a man. We see Jessica in a montage of dating snippets that range from the ridiculous (the accountant who splits the bill according to who ate the more expensive part of the salad) to the incredibly ridiculous (the date who likes how Jessica’s hair goes all around her head). At a friend’s dinner party, Jessica relates her recent dating fiascos and thanks those present for being literate, sane human beings. Her bitter, nasty boss takes this opportunity to suggest that perhaps the problem is not with the men she dates, but with her, and her impossibly rigid standards. Jessica is clearly stung by these remarks, but does not dismiss them, and embarks on a mission to expand her horizons, if you will. Having recently seen a personal ad containing a quote she finds particularly moving, she decides to answer. The ad just happens to be from another woman.

Helen (Heather Juergensen) appears to be the polar opposite of Jessica. She is quite in tune with her sexual needs and fulfills them as she sees fit. It is Helen who places the ad that captures the attention of Jessica. She has decided that she wants to try it with a woman, and goes about making that happen. She is outwardly confident, open minded and nonjudgmental.

So thus we have the set up for “Kissing Jessica Stein”. Two women, both looking to change their lives, and stumbling into each other in a fabulously funny and touching look at the fluidity of sexuality (the scene where Jessica breaks out pamphlets on what lesbians are “supposed” to do is priceless). They wind up changing each other in ways neither of them expected, and their journey through this unmarked territory is made all the more entertaining for the characteristics of each individual woman.

Writers Westfeldt and Juergensen and director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld do an excellent job of portraying the relationship between Jessica and Helen as being both conventional (two people meeting, falling in love), and unconventional (two “straight” women meeting and falling in love). The pitfalls are so similar to those any couple face that we are able to see the artificial dichotomy come crumbling down. This isn’t about gay/straight/bi, it’s about two people trying to have a relationship for which neither has a predetermined script. Jessica is occasionally a bit on the annoying side with her neuroses and rigidity, but not enough to seriously harm the film.

The supporting cast is wonderful, with Jackie Hoffman playing Jessica’s pregnant friend Joan, and Scott Cohen playing Josh, the nasty boss who has a history with Jessica. Tovah Feldshuh is both hilarious (note the scene at Shabbat dinner) and touching as Jessica’s mother. Also worth note is the small part of Jessica’s grandmother Esther (Esther Wurmfeld). She only appears in two scenes, but her acerbic comments deliver laughs in both.

The general tone of the film is light, despite what to some may seem as “heavy” subject matter. The humor is easy to relate to, and the movie doesn’t make the easy mistake of being to preachy. The score adds to the film in several places, providing humor on its own, as well as serving as background.

The DVD version includes both a featurette on the making of the film, and commentary from Westfeldt, Juergensen, and Herman-Wurmfeld, as well as some deleted scenes.

Overall, “Kissing Jessica Stein” is about taking a chance. Looking at your life, not liking what you see, and doing something about it. It’s about seeing people for who they are, rather than who they aren’t, and accepting that not every relationship is going to fit snugly into a preordained niche. This very funny movie is an excellent choice as both a romantic comedy and a light political commentary on sexuality. I thoroughly recommend “Kissing Jessica Stein”, for anyone looking for abundant humor and some sincere and touching soul searching.