Cast : Jennifer Westfeldt as Jessica Stein Scott Cohen as Josh Meyers Jackie Hoffman as Joan	Heather Juergensen as Helen Cooper Tovah Feldshuh as Judy Stein
Director : Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Kissing Jessica Stein is a touching, witty and very modern New York tale about twenty-somethings searching for love. At a family gathering, Jessica, her mother, and grandmother whisper comments about other young eligibles in the congregation: who is getting married, who just broke up, etc. Jessica is decidedly uncomfortable with the conversation. Cut to some dazzling Manhattan cityscapes while the distinctive voice of Blossom Dearie sings "Our Love is Here to Stay." I knew at that moment there was something to like about this film. It turned out there was a lot to like. Bittersweet are the glimpses of the World Trade Center that dominated the skyline at the time of filming last year. However, elevating the mood are shots of the many other exquisite vistas of the city and makes this even more of a New York story.

Jessica is in her late twenties and works as a journalist in Manhattan with her former college boyfriend, Josh, and her friend Joan. Joan has just announced her pregnancy and Jessica's younger brother his wedding engagement. Jessica is not sleeping well, not having any fun and wonders if life is passing her by. She goes on a dating spree with an incredible and hilarious cast of unlikely men. No one close to Mr. Right appears. On a whim, she responds to a personal ad in the woman-seeking-woman section because the seeker sounds like her perfect match, gender notwithstanding.

When the moment for the date is at hand, Jessica tries escaping the whole encounter, but an instant too late. Instead, she really likes Helen; they click from the outset. With fits and starts, the relationship advances as patient art dealer Helen guides reluctant Jessica toward romance. One day Helen complains to her gallery co-workers that she feels she is hooked up with the Jewish Sandra Dee. The most difficult thing for Jessica, not surprisingly, is to openly acknowledge her lesbian relationship. The impending family wedding of her brother offers a perfect opportunity for Jessica to flaunt her love to the world. Instead, it becomes obvious to Helen that she will be welcomed to the family only as Jessica's nice friend.

Through the stages of this unlikely match, Jessica is showing all the signs of someone clearly in love but plays it very cool about the identity of the "mystery man." Bewildered former love Josh has remained a close friend of the family and is annoyed and confused at Jessica's obvious happiness. In one of the films best roles, Tovah Feldsuh offers a wonderful, honest performance as Jessica's mother, Judy. Best known for her roles on the New York stage, Feldsuh infuses Judy Stein with some of the idiosyncrasies, none of the stereotypes, and all of the warmth, compassion, and intelligence of a New York Jewish mother. This takes a very good actor and very good writing to pull off.

These are ordinary people who struggle and try to help themselves and each other. This is the latest of some recent films (Mulholland Drive and Strange Fits of Passion) that blur the lines of gender and female relationships and this one does it beautifully, with humor and affection. Perhaps the honest exploration of gender in sexual and emotional relationships has really come of age?

A favorite at the Los Angeles Film Festival the film captured both the critic's special jury award and the audience award. Under the very capable direction of Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, co-writers Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergenson also star in this adaptation of their 1997 play with winning results.