Common Sense Media Review
Sweet girl-meets-girl comedy has language, sex.
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Why Age 15+?
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Kissing Jessica Stein
What's the Story?
Jessica is the highly neurotic and sexually repressed half of a couple struggling to find intimacy, love, and personal satisfaction in KISSING JESSICA STEIN. Living in c. 2000 New York City, Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Helen (Heather Juergensen) struggle with bad dating, old and current boyfriends, an overly involved mother, and confusing feelings. Jessica's mother just wants her to settle down with a nice Jewish man, but Jessica doesn't know what she wants. And Helen wants to find the perfect combination of love and sexual heat. Ultimately, the two women must investigate their own feelings about love, sex, and friendship and go for broke in their searches for personal fulfillment.
Is It Any Good?
This romp through sexual discovery hits the mark with witty humor. Kissing Jessica Stein transcends the label of a "queer romcom" and succeeds as a heartfelt dramedy that illustrates feelings and struggles that are common to all, but delightfully examined through a specifically Jewish lens. In addition to strong performances by its lead women, the film includes inspired performances by Jackie Hoffman as Jessica's wacky co-worker and best friend and Tovah Feldshuh (The Walking Dead and Broadway plays) as her domineering mother.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different expressions of sexuality seen in Kissing Jessica Stein and the societal pressures that come with them. Does Jessica's family have different expectations for her than Helen's family? What about your own situation?
Stereotypes of queer people include being typecast as a "sassy gay friend" or "deviant bisexual." Does Kissing Jessica Stein use any of these clichés? If so, did it impact your enjoyment of the film?
Helen pushes Jessica to be more curious and open to the world, even as Jessica fights it at first. Do you think Helen had the right approach? Is it better to encourage loved ones to grow and change, or should we accept them exactly the way they are?
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 21, 2001
- On DVD or streaming : September 7, 2004
- Cast : Jennifer Westfeldt , Heather Juergensen , Tovah Feldshuh
- Director : Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content and language
- Last updated : October 11, 2022
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