'JESSICA STEIN' GOES ALL OUT.Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic `KISSING Jessica Stein'' takes a lot of risks. And no, I'm not talking about how this lipstick lesbian A lipstick lesbian is a slang term for a stereotypically feminine lesbian who is attracted to other feminine women, rather than a lesbian who is attracted to more masculine women, such as in a "butch and femme"-type relationship. romantic comedy could offend closed-minded conservatives or image-sensitive gay activists. What's really iffy if·fy adj. if·fi·er, if·fi·est Informal Doubtful; uncertain: an iffy proposition. [From if. about the first 15 minutes of this film-festival favorite is how many dreadful cliches of the urban romance genre it parades in front of the camera - before, thankfully, settling down into a charming, well-acted, observant and tough-minded inquiry into the elusive nature of love. After its faltering start, the film breathes life into Jessica Stein's unique world. And we learn to be grateful that she's sharing it with us, because opening up is not an easy thing for Jessica to do. Unlike most of her hard-to-get cinematic sisters, though Jessica is worth the frustration. Jessica is played by Jennifer Westfeldt, in a role she wrote for herself with co-star Heather Juergensen Heather Julia Juergensen (born January 2 1970 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actress and writer. Background Juergensen was raised in Brooklyn, New York City. She graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1987. , based loosely on some skits that they'd worked up earlier. The director, Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, reportedly added invaluable insight from his own gay experience to the straight women's scenario. Jessica is an attractive single woman who works at a New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of literary magazine run by her ex-college boyfriend Josh (Scott Cohen Scott Cohen (born December 19, 1964 in New York) is an American actor. Cohen is most widely known for his role as Wolf in the 2000 NBC mini-series The 10th Kingdom, his recurring role as Max Medina on the WB hit TV Series Gilmore Girls ), with whom she understandably has a tense relationship. But at least he sees her more than other guys get to. Despite pressure from Mom (Tovah Feldshuh) and the example of a happily pregnant best friend (Jackie Hoffman), Jessica just can't seem to find a man who matches her high standards. Unexpectedly enough, it's a women-seeking-women want ad that does the trick (something about a Rilke verse). It was placed by Helen Cooper (Juergensen), an art gallery hipster whose romantic life is just the opposite of Jessica's, filled with adventure and male lovers of various ages, ethnicities and marital status marital status, n the legal standing of a person in regard to his or her marriage state. . But Helen wants to try lesbianism lesbianism: see homosexuality. lesbianism also called sapphism or female homosexuality, the quality or state of intense emotional and usually erotic attraction of a woman to another woman. , and when she meets the highly tentative Jessica, she's smitten. Poor Helen. Patient Helen, too, as she displays heroic reserves of understanding and perseverance over the many, many nights it takes to make skittish skit·tish adj. 1. Moving quickly and lightly; lively. 2. Restlessly active or nervous; restive. 3. Undependably variable; mercurial or fickle. 4. Shy; bashful. Jessica feel comfortable enough to, well, act. The movie's midsection mid·sec·tion n. A middle section, especially the midriff of the body. turns into one long, often hilariously delectable tease, as both women very credibly weigh their desires against their conflicts (well, mostly Jessica's) about coming out. It's not giving too much away to note that the agonizing anticipation pays off for both Helen and the audience. But unlike most gay dream-come- true movies, that's hardly the end of this story. The genius of ``Kissing Jessica Stein'' lies in its conviction that temperamental difficulties, no matter how maddening, aren't necessarily impediments to real personal growth. KISSING JESSICA STEIN - Three stars (Rated R: sex, language) Starring: Jennifer Westfeldt, Heather Juergensen, Scott Cohen, Tovah Feldshuh. Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld. Running time: 1 hr. 36 min. Playing: Playhouse 7, Pasadena; Sunset 5, West Hollywood; NuWilshire, Santa Monica. |
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