KISS ME GOODBYE
US, 1982, 101 minutes, Colour.
Sally Field, James Caan, Jeff Bridges, Paul Dooley, Claire Trevor, Mildred Natwick, William Prince, Stephen Elliott.
Directed by Robert Mulligan.
Kiss Me Goodbye is based on a very popular Brazilian film, Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands. Critics at the time thought that this remake was not near the original. However, if seen in itself, it is an effective romantic comedy with a ghost story combined. It is a pleasant star vehicle for Sally Field who was between her two Oscars: Norma Rae in 1979 and Places in the Heart in 1984.
Sally Field showed a flair for comedy and was nominated for a Golden Globe for this performance. She is well supported by James Caan as the ghost of her dead husband, a choreographer, who still inhabits their house and haunts her when she brings her new fiancé home. He is played by Jeff Bridges. Claire Trevor plays her society mother.
The film is light comedy, uses the genre of the ghost story (like The Ghost and Mrs Muir) to some comic advantage.
1. A pleasing light romance, comedy, picture of American society? Humorous ghost story? An adaptation of a Brazilian film?
2. Location photography, New York, homes, restaurants? The world of the chic? Musical score and theme song?
3. The title and its humour? A wife and her two husbands? Jolly's ghost and the final reconciliation?
4. Sally Field's romantic comedy style as Kay: attractive, the story of her elopement and marrying Jolly, the happy-go-lucky lifestyle, the world of the theatre, the flashbacks - and Jolly as singing and dancing, the accident of his death? The contrast with Rupert and his opening up of her house, the plans for the marriage, her mother and her advice and control, Emily and her friendship and advice? The portrait of Jolly, the dancing statue? Jolly's reappearance, her disbelief? Arguing, the humorous scenes when Kay thought that the ghost could be seen by everyone? Her double-takes and dealing with Jolly while nobody else saw him? Shared stories, memories? The bedroom scene with Rupert and Jolly's presence? The arguments at the table, the outing and Rupert pretending that Jolly was present? Kay's memories and the realisation of Jolly's death and its impact? Rupert's discovering the truth? The farcical sequences for the exorcism and the preparations for the wedding? Jolly's farewell, enabling her to marry Rupert? Rupert's fall and the repetition of the situation? Her decision to marry at once?
5. Jolly and his type, portrait, statue, director, ladies' man, memories, his friends and their talking to Kay in the restaurant, Rupert's disdain? His reappearance, the questions about his presence, talking with Kay, arguing, the farcical aspects of his being seen and not seen, the bedroom, the restaurant, the farce at Rupert's home? His going over the reality of his death? The affair with Emily? The truth - and farewell?
6. Preparations for the wedding, put off by Jolly's memories, the restaurant and Kay's friends from the past, the bedroom scene and his reaction, the comparisons with Jolly, the office and the discussion with the guard, tap dancing, the divorce discussion, Emily's advice? the discovery of the truth, his ex-priest friend and the set-up of the exorcism, the farcical exorcising of Jolly's presence, his fall, the happy marriage?
7. Kay's mother and her fashionable style, chic, pressures, comparisons between Jolly and Rupert? The contrast with Rupert's mother and her bemused watching of the situations?
8. Emily and her friendship, advising Rupert, telling the truth about Jolly and helping Kay to exorcise his presence?
9. The former priest and his work with Rupert, religion, exorcisms, his drinking, helping, the farce? The old man and the fixing of the pictures, the fuses?
10. The farce about the rehearsal for the wedding, the priest, the exorcism, the dog? All happy at Jolly's going?
11. An offbeat situation and humour, relationships, memories and meaning, new beginnings?
