Review of French Kiss (1995) by David A — 22 Nov 2009

[from The Watermark, 08/27/95].

Meg Ryan co-produced and starred in a very pleasant and under-appreciated romantic comedy from yestermonth that is still in some of the dollar-cinemas. In French Kiss, Ryan's fiancee (Timothy Hutton) goes to Paris on a business trip, and falls in love with another woman. Ryan then hot-foots it over there herself to get him back. On the plane, she meets a French thief (Kevin Kline) who slips some stolen goods into her luggage. Once in France, Ryan?s bags are stolen, and Kline pairs up with her to get back her things, retrieve his own wares, and help her win back her husband. A perfect setup for romance? Hardly, but French Kiss pulls it off.

The characters are well fleshed out and solidly written. The fast-moving film has occasional dips in pace, but always bounces back stronger with each new twist. Ryan is utterly charming as usual. Kline is believable as a Frenchman, and the film capitalizes well on his ability to create an appealing deviant. (My only gripe is that I wanted him to shave. How does he manage to have three days worth of stubble every day?) Don?t miss the chance to catch this glossed-over delight on the big screen before it moves on into the land of video.

Queer Quotient: There is a snotty hotel concierge whose sexuality is questionable, though nothing is outwardly implied. It does seem odd, though, that there are no fags to be found in Gay Paree.