The darker consequences of the decision to cheat on your honey are explored in this black comedy by seasoned actor, and first time director, Fisher Stevens. The latest to make use of the reality vs. illusion device of rearranging time, this one speculates about the fallout from a choice made about love and sex. A cautionary tale concerning the aftermath of one small moment, Just a Kiss has nice guy Peter, his unrequited love Rebecca, (Marley Shelton), his best friend Dag, and Dag's trusting wife, Halley, mixing it up in contemporary Manhattan.

On-going interest in the nature of fate, luck, and destiny are so compelling that even though not entirely successful, the central idea is intriguing and is meant to keep you pondering. Unfortunately, it's a little too clever for its own good and it's difficult to find any connection to any of these self-absorbed people. With a nod to some pretty exalted history, like George C. Scott's speech as Patton and legendary peace maker Dag Hammerskjold, these references serve as distractions rather than adding much to this what-if tale.

Dag has a one-night stand with his best friend Peter's would be love, Rebecca, a nouveau femme fatale, updated as a neurotic, suicidal ballerina in lieu of the classic strong, silent seductress. Actor Peter enjoys fame of sorts as the peanut butter eagle in a local television commercial but can't find a nice girl and pines for Rebecca. When Dag's wife Halley gets wind of the affair, she toys with a dalliance with the handy, available and verrrry smooth Andre (Taye Diggs). Will she or won't she? In the end, it's a little hard to care if any of them do or don't, because in this fantasy land they seem to have no concerns in life, other than who is sleeping with whom. Add wacky loose cannon and murderous hedonist, Paula, (Marisa Tomei), to the game and the plot thickens.

Meanwhile, for good measure, tack on Andre's flight attendant girlfriend, Colleen (Sarita Choudhury), whose wild in-flight antics are the final confirmation that these people are not in Manhattan anymore, Toto. Unfortunately, it is a bit too disjointed to elicit much of anything beyond confusion. Fun performances and a fine cast elevate an otherwise fractured script. Swiftly shot in just 20 days, and considering how much plot gets condensed into just 85 minutes, it's a bit like a ride through a scary fun house: though thrilling, you're glad it doesn't go on any longer.

Based on a stage play by Patrick Breen, which was a much darker version of the consequences of making too many withdrawals from one's moral bank account, the film is lightened up mainly by over-the-top Paula. Stevens effectively uses the rotomation blending of live action and animation to segue from one scene to another when it gets too grim. For Shelley' interview with Fisher Stevens go to…..

Ron Eldard: Dag Hammerskjold	Marisa Tomei: Paula
Kyra Sedgwick: Halley	Patrick Breen: Peter
Director: Fisher Stevens