ONE MORE KISS
UK, 1999, 97 minutes, Colour.
Gerard Butler, James Cosmo, Valerie Edmond, Valerie Gogan, Danny Nussbaum.
Directed by Vadim Jean.
One More Kiss is a film about cancer. Valerie Edmond is a 30 year-old woman who has made her way from Scotland to the United States but discovers she has terminal cancer. She decides to return home to live fully the last months of her life. She renews her relationship with her father and with the man that she loved (who has since married a woman in the town).
While the film is sympathetic to the young woman with cancer, and shows the struggle she has as well as the courage, she also threatens the marriage of the young man, who is forced to choose between her and his wife.
The film boasts beautiful coastal scenery of Scotland, it also has a focus on illness and concern for those suffering from cancer. While in many ways it is grim, it finishes on a note of hope.
Gerard Butler was to go on to international success with Lara Croft, Dracula 2000 and The Phantom of the Opera.
1. Impact of the film? Human drama? Love, illness, death?
2. The New York opening and closing? The landscapes of New York City? The contrast with the trip back to Scotland, the town, the beauty of the Scottish coast? The landscapes as a character in the film? The musical score, songs?
3. The title and its focus on Sarah, her needs, relationship with her father, with Sam?
4. The opening, Sarah standing on the building, contemplating suicide, her rationalisation that she would not be killed? Audience puzzle as to why she would want to kill herself?
5. The return to Scotland? The visit to the restaurant, discovering Sam was married, his response to her, Charlotte and her wariness? Which was justified? Sarah and her return home, her father asleep, their talking, the tension between the two, the love?
6. Sarah and her having to deal with her father and his unwillingness to accept her illness? At home, looking at films of her past, discovering the letter from Shirley to her father? Reconciling with him? The clashes over the sushi, the gift of the piano? Her declared love for him? Memories of her mother? Being buried with them?
7. The character of Frank, his not having done anything since his daughter left, the memories of his past as a singer, Shirley and her letter? His grumpiness, visiting Sam, going for walks on the beach, inability to accept what was happening? Sam persuading him to make phone calls about cures? The bargain on going to Edinburgh? With Sarah in the hospital? Her death?
8. Sam, not having followed Sarah to America, marrying Charlotte, his declared love for her, running the restaurant? His decision to help Sarah during her last months, the list, skydiving, the kites etc? Spending time in her company, falling in love with her, the clashes with Charlotte, especially the fight in the restaurant? The gift of the opera ticket, teaching Sarah to make the French dish, going to her house, not going to the concert? Abandoning Charlotte? Going to the hospital with the flowers?
9. Charlotte, her harsh reaction to Sarah, unrelenting? Had she discussed things better with Sam? The clash with Sarah in the street? The fight with Sam in the restaurant? The opera ticket, getting dressed, going, his absence? His decision against her? The pain of being rejected?
10. Sarah going to the group? Frank's first going and discussing his daughter with the group? The members of the group, their illness, sympathy? Sarah and her presence, getting some support? The discussion with Jude in the bar, the kiss, his suicide? The group remembering him, praying for him?
11. Going to Edinburgh, the interview with the doctor, the operation, its failure? Her funeral - and the tape that she had recorded? Her joy in life, wanting others to be happy?
12. A film about illness and coping? A film about the shortness of life and the value of life? Life or killing oneself? Illness and the effect on friends? The symbol of hope with her father going to New York and telephoning Shirley?
