Kissing Jessica Stein
A witty New York romantic comedy follows a successful single journalist whose connection with another woman unsettles her assumptions about desire, identity, and love.
Overview
A straight journalist discovers unexpected feelings in a world of love and friendship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- date night
- lgbtq+ movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's warm, witty portrayal of sexual fluidity and same-sex romance, while some found its treatment of openly gay life comparatively shallow.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jessica's relationship with Helen prompts an exploration of attraction that resists a simple heterosexual-or-lesbian binary.
Jessica's bonded Jewish family in New York shapes her dating life and emotional choices.
Jessica and Helen meet through dating culture and an art gallery environment while navigating careers in New York City.
The central romance develops through direct interpersonal exploration between Jessica and Helen rather than through external adventure.
Films like Kissing Jessica Stein, and why
Imagine Me & You
romantic comedy centered on unconventional desire, identity exploration, and witty urban relationships
The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love
lgbtq+ romantic comedy balancing self-discovery, family pressures, and an accessible feel-good tone
Saving Face
witty, relationship-driven romantic comedy about sexual identity and emotional self-awareness
Happiest Season
new york romantic comedy exploring adult intimacy, dating, and fluid expectations around love
Movie Details
- Director
- Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
- Release Date
- 2002-03-13
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (258)
Cast
- Jennifer Westfeldt
- Heather Juergensen
- Scott Cohen
- Jackie Hoffman
- Tovah Feldshuh
- Michael Mastro
- Carson Elrod
- Jon Hamm
- David Aaron Baker
- Esther Wurmfeld
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kissing Jessica Stein about?
- A witty New York romantic comedy follows a successful single journalist whose connection with another woman unsettles her assumptions about desire, identity, and love.
- What is Kissing Jessica Stein like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kissing Jessica Stein as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Kissing Jessica Stein violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Kissing Jessica Stein.
- What did critics think of Kissing Jessica Stein?
- Critics broadly praised the film's warm, witty portrayal of sexual fluidity and same-sex romance, while some found its treatment of openly gay life comparatively shallow.
- Which films are like Kissing Jessica Stein?
- Films with a similar feel include Imagine Me & You, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, Saving Face, and Happiest Season.
- How long is Kissing Jessica Stein?
- Kissing Jessica Stein runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kissing Jessica Stein?
- In United States, Kissing Jessica Stein is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
