Looking For Love In The Right Place

I have always maintained the opinion that a good romantic comedy can be fun to watch.  With both dramatic and comedic elements, these kinds of films are for everybody.  While French Kiss is absolutely hilarious, it is also unconventional in an intelligent way.

French Kiss is the story of a woman who flies to France to get her fiance back.  She then gets caught up in a thiefs' escapades.  There are several moments in French Kiss that set this film apart from typical romantic comedies.  Firstly, I love the fact that Luc Teyssier (Kevin Kline) has his own B-story within the A-story involving Kate (Meg Ryan), and it is only because Kate gets involved in Lucs' affaris that Luc and Kate form an attraction between each other.  Secondly, there is a point in the film where Kate and Luc part ways.  Kate seems hesitant about it, but Luc is completely fine with it.  What makes this scenario even better is that Luc has every intention of leaving her alone, and it is only because he needs her help that he reluctantly tracks her down.  Also, I love the fact that even though Kate and Luc are two completely different people, they both share something in common in that they would do anything for the thing that they love most.  It is because of this commonality that Luc agrees to help Kate get her fiance back.  Finally, we learn at the beginning of the film that Kate has a fear of flying, and that she confronts this fear when she flies to France.  The end of the movie mirrors the beginning brilliantly because not only do Kate and Luc meet on a plane like they did at the beginning, but Kate has completely gotten over her fear of flying.  In all of its vast brilliance, however, this film does have one single solitary flaw.  Towards the beginning of the film, Kate and Luc part ways at an airport.  Even though Luc has learned what hotel Kate is staying at, we never actually see what happens to him between when he got picked up at the airport and when he arrives at the hotel.  However, I must point out that this flaw absolutely does not detract from the enjoyment of the movie.  French Kiss is hilarious, heartfelt and, thanks to the performances of the actors, will leave you wanting to watch it again as soon as it is over.

Meg Ryan, the queen of romantic comedies, plays Kate.  Ryan delivers her brilliant comedic timing that we have come to expect from her in these movies, but she also displays a strong side to her character in this film that is pleasantly surprising.  There is a moment in the film where she has had enough, and goes off on the hotel manager.  I enjoyed this moment because it shows Kate is determined to get her way.  It is because of the way she plays this character that you not only want Kate to end up with Luc, but you also cheer for her as an individual character.

Kevin Kline is spectacular as Luc Teyssier.  While Luc is a rude and judgmental character, he also has a soft spot when it comes to his past and also what he wants to do with his future.  Kline displays all of these qualities beautifully, and he will also have you laughing uncontrollably until your sides hurt.  There is one important character moment that I must point out.  At the end of the film, Luc has every intention of letting Kate get on the plane back to America, but it is because his friend Jean-Paul (Jean Reno) persuades Luc to pursue his true love that he ends up with Kate.  I also have to say that Kevin Klines' French accent is damn good.

Lawrence Kasdan is the director of French Kiss.  With a movie like this the location that the film takes place in has to be an important part of the story, and Kasdan delivers on all fronts.  From the locations to the fashion, France is just as much a character as Luc and Kate are in the telling of this story.  Another thing to keep in mind when making romantic comedies is knowing how and when to mix in dramatic moments with the comedy, and what Kasdan does with this film is blend those qualities together better than most romantic comedies I have seen.  The chemistry between Ryan and Kline drive the movie and, in terms of the editing, the comedic timing is flawless.

Because of the unpredictability of the story and the performances by the actors, French Kiss is a film that you will endlessly enjoy.  It has easily climbed the ranks of my favorite romantic comedies.  If you are looking for one of these kinds of films that also avoids the typical cliches, I highly recommend French Kiss.