Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505090071
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That's fine because every audience knows exactly where this kind of love story is going to end. The only important question is: How much fun is the trip? The answer: Imagine "Sleepless in Seattle" with a much lighter touch and a French sensibility.
The story begins in Toronto. Kate (Meg Ryan) refuses to go to Paris with her fiance, Charlie (Timothy Hutton), because she's afraid to fly. Days later, he calls and drunkenly stammers that he's met someone else, "a goddess," the wedding is off, etc.
Kate is on the next flight to France. Assigned to the seat beside her is Luc (Kevin Kline), an unshaven, nicotine-soaked collection of French stereotypes. Initially, Kate is put off by his arrogance, presumption and casual attitude toward sexual matters. But, of course, there is more to Luc than it first appears - something hidden under his coat, for starters.
Even though the point of the film is Kate's attempting to win Charlie back from the goddess Juliette (Susan Anbeh), it takes more than an hour for writer Adam Brooks and director Kasdan to get around to that. They're much more interested in Kate and Luc. The plot drifts so slowly there that moviegoers expecting a quicker pace and a sweeter love story will get edgy. It takes the presence of an observant cop, Jean-Paul (Jean Reno, from "The Professional), to keep the action moving.
The romantic elements are equally slow to develop with Meg Ryan, who also produced, playing against many of the cute mannerisms she has relied on in recent films. That may well disappoint and delight her fans in equal numbers. In both "Sleepless" and "I.Q.," for example, she exaggerated the softer elements of her characters, and the dreamy approach was heightened by the music and camera work.
"French Kiss" has a rougher surface. Even when Luc cleans himself up toward the end, there's still a strong scent of stale smoke around him. And where most American films would emphasize key scenes with a lush score, Kasdan relies on a few old standards and torch songs.
So, even if "French Kiss" isn't the full-tilt manipulative escapism that normally hits theaters at this time of year, it delivers on a more subtle level. Or perhaps, like most things French, it's an acquired taste.
French Kiss
***
A 20th Century Fox Polygram release playing at the Tanglewood Mall. 106 min. Rated PG-13 for strong language, subject matter.
by CNB