Review: It’s easy to love ‘Jessica Stein’

Geoff Carter

Friday, April 5, 2002 | 10:06 a.m.

Kissing Jessica Stein

Grade: ***

Starring: Jennifer Westfeldt, Heather Juergensen, Tovah Feldshuh and Scott Cohen.

Screenplay: Heather Juergensen and Jennifer Westfeldt.

Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld.

Rated: PG-13 for sexual content and language.

Running time: 94 minutes.

Movie times: http://www.vegas.com/movies/

I should have been a producer, instead of a bum. Had I been a big-shot Hollywood producer (four words that only go together in parodies, alas), I could spend all the live-long day throwing out one-sentence pitches to underlings, who would then be charged with the responsibility of making those terrible films happen. "A sexy 'King Ralph.' " " 'Fight Club' with eunuchs." " 'Parcheesi: The Conflict.' "

How wonderful it is, and surprising, too, that "Kissing Jessica Stein," which can be boiled down to "When Sally Met Sally," is as witty, brilliant and flat-out funny as it is. Sure, it came from a play ... but can't you just hear Nora Ephron punching herself in the head? "Of course! Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, only with no Tom Hanks."

Jennifer Westfeldt stars as Jessica Stein, a copy editor and frustrated artist who can't get a decent date to save her life. (A montage of her failed dates, while funny, is kind of dumb -- though I did love the modest writer who called himself "a pretty self-defecating guy.") Finally, in desperation, she answers an ad from the "Women Seeking Women" section of the personals, and meets Helen Cooper (Juergensen), a thoroughly bohemian gallery owner.

Their first conversations are pure gold. Set against street-level Manhattan (may I never see another aerial shot, followed by a Toronto street), it's hard not to fall for both of them as Helen pushes and Jessica noisily resists.

"What do you do to be happy?" Helen asks.

"Nothing," Jessica says. "I'm not."

Anyone could relate to this budding romance, regardless of gender -- it's all about getting the other party to stretch.

Not that Jessica isn't interested. "Lesbians accessorize; I didn't know this," she says, leafing through a sex-toy catalog. And a montage of awkward, exploratory kisses ends with Jessica exclaiming, "That was really good!" She gives Helen a high-five. Having made the commitment, she wants to deliver on it, even if it goes against everything she knows.

Helen, in the meantime, is growing impatient: "I took out an ad ... and I get the Jewish Sandra Dee."

The growing pains incumbent to every relationship -- parental approval, jealous ex-lovers -- are thoroughly examined in "Kissing Jessica Stein," and for once, you can believe them. The film was written by its stars -- adapted from their play "Lipschtick" -- and they know when to pour it on, and when to ease back. Director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld and cinematographer Lawrence Sher contribute bright flashes of color and some great handheld camera work, but by and large they let nature take its course.

The supporting cast is fine, but outshone by Westfeldt and Juergensen. Both are brilliant, natural talents, and I fully expect we'll see more of the two of them soon -- hopefully in big roles, to be sure, but also in producer's roles, as well. Meet the new bosses, Nora.