FRENCH KISS
US, 1995, 108 minutes, Colour.
Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Timothy Hutton, Jean Reno.
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan.
In French Kiss Paris and France have never looked better and provide an attractive setting for this entertaining piece of fluff - a dithery woman going to Paris to confront her fiance who is now infatuated with a Frenchwoman encounters a gauche Frenchman who happens to be a thief...
However, the performances and the dialogue are more sparkling than might be expected. If you enjoy Meg Ryan, this is very much her show. If you enjoy Kevin Kline, he combiness raffishness with charm and a persuasive broken French accent. And, in fact, he brings some depth to what is a very light romantic comedy.
Entertaining souffle.
1. A romantic comedy, French and American style? Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline? The title?
2. The American sequences, the comparisons and contrasts with the French? Each countries’ comments on the other?
3. The Paris locations, ordinary, the landmarks? Hotels, the embassy? The train ride, the vengeance? Cannes? The musical score and the range of French songs and songs about France?
4. Kate, frightened of air travel, in the simulator? Her hysterical behaviour? The introduction to Kate, the Meg Ryan, type, look, manner? In love with Charlie? Happy future?
5. Charlie, ordinary, his love for Kate, devotion? The pledges before he went to France? Phone call, finding a new love? The upset for Kate?
6. The effect on Kate, sad, the decision to her to friends? Meeting Luc on the plane, the initial clash, his questioning her, his summing up? Her reaction, the drink, sleeping? Getting off the plane, taking her bag to get through customs with the necklace? Looking for the taxi?
7. Luc, French style, his look, stealing the bottles, trying to smoke? Talking to Kate, the attraction, his criticism of her, as American, issues of sex? Necklace and the vine, in her bag? The policeman meeting him at the airport? His wariness?
8. Kate at the hotel, the concierge being rude, the barriers between them – and her later oneupmanship on him?
9. Luc, going to the hotel, searching for her, and his taking her bags, Bob and his style, conman, chatting up Kate, the advances, stealing? Luc tracking him down, taking Kate, the bag, no jewels, Bob giving away her clothes? The police officer and his taking in Bob, the interrogation?
10. Luc, stealing the car to go to Bob’s, his deal, in the street, giving her money, the explanation of the vine and his ambitions?
11. Kate going to the embassy, not having any money, the Americans unsympathetic to her? Going to the Canadian Embassy, wanting to be a Canadian, the information about the felony? Going back to the concierge and her tantrum?
12. Taking the train, Luc’s offering to help, riding the bike to the station, the policeman looking for him, the bonds between them, saving his life? Luc and his escape, to the beautiful countryside, Kate eating cheese, being sick, having to get off the train?
13. The irony of the station being at Luc’s town, walking through the town, Luc’s brother and his instigating the fight? Luc’s story, yet his father calling him, joining the family, taking Kate around the land, explaining the soil, the vines, his special box and the various flavours? Her appreciation?
14. Going to Cannes, Kate and her spying on Charlie, the fuss and her falling in the cakes?
15. Charlie, a changed man, his clothes, with Juliet? Going to the beach, Kate talking with them? the meal, the being seductive to Charlie? His response? Kate and her changing? Luc, the dinner with Juliet, seduction?
16. The police officer, telling the truth to Kate, her persuading Luc that she would take back the necklace, getting the money, not as much as hoped for?
17. Kate on the plane, Luc coming to get her, taking her to his property, a new beginning for them both?
