Prelude to a Kiss (1992)

Director:

Norman René

Writers (WGA):

Craig Lucas (play)
Craig Lucas (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 July 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Plot:

A couple fall in love despite the girl's pessimistic outlook. As they struggle to come to terms with their relationship...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Sex Change | Wish | Terminal Illness | Male Female Relationship

Cast

Alec Baldwin	...	Peter Hoskins
Meg Ryan	...	Rita Boyle
Kathy Bates	...	Leah Blier
Ned Beatty	...	Dr. Boyle
Patty Duke	...	Mrs. Boyle
Richard Riehle	...	Jerry Blier
Stanley Tucci	...	Taylor
Sydney Walker	...	Old Man
Rocky Carroll	...	Tom
Debra Monk	...	Aunt Dorothy
Ray Gill	...	Uncle Fred
Ward Ohrman	...	Minister
Annie Golden	...	Tin Market Musician
Frank Carillo	...	Tin Market Musician
Sally Murphy	...	Bridesmaid #1

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language (sex related dialogue).

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Dutch | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Germany:12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Gruskoff/Levy Company

Trivia:

Alec Guinness originally was cast in the role as "The Old Man", but dropped out of the production.

Quotes:

Old Man: Can I give you two a piece of advice?
Old Man: Floss.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Grosse Pointe: Prelude to a Kiss (#1.3)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

The Very Thought Of You

Lots of reviewers don't get this movie.

If you watch this movie expecting a romantic comedy like You've Got Mail--which I thought was garbage, by the way, but then conventional love stories make me go "yeah, right,"--or compare it to other apparently similar movies where people switch bodies, you are going to be disappointed--unless you can open your mind and see that this is not a comedy at all, though written with light touch. The key to the movie is in the advice the heroine's mom gives the hero when he talks to her on the phone. The movie is about the nature of love, and whether it means more than just being attached to an attractive exterior. The "magical" aspect is just a way of confronting this question in a new and powerful way. Also, notice that almost the first conversation the two lovers have is about a book, The White Hotel, which is a depiction of life where the word tragic is maybe an understatement. Like many movies made from plays, the writing is crisp and to the point. Meg Ryan is fine, but Alec Baldwin is riveting when his world falls apart. He is a walking picture of grief, unable even to be civil to the bartender who is a friend. There is a great soundtrack, from the Cowboy Junkies and Lou Reed to Annie Lennox. There is one sublime moment, when the hero rises above all convention and expresses his love, leaving behind all rational, normal ideas of what is okay to do. Well, needless to say I love this movie. But hey, it is not everybody's cup of tea. Especially if you are too dumb and superficial to "get" it.