Kissing Jessica Stein

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Kissing Jessica Stein

R

Released Mar 13, 2002

1h 34m

Romance

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

121 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) is at the end of her emotional rope. She happens upon an intriguing personal ad, whose only drawback is that it's in the "women seeking women" section. On a daring whim, she decides to answer it. She meets funky downtown hipster Helen Cooper (Heather Juergensen) for drinks, and to her surprise, they click instantly. With conventional gender roles absent, the two women proceed to muddle through an earnest but hilarious courtship, making up the rules as they go.

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Critics Consensus

A trite but refreshing and comical spin on nature of love.

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Drew Gregory

Autostraddle

Jewish queer woman classic.

Sep 10, 2021

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The cast is wonderful and the story is commendably free of the sectarian us-versus-them tone of many romantic gay movies.

Feb 3, 2009

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Director Charles Herman-Wurmfeld's movie knows what it wants, what its limits are, and delivers its delights accordingly.

Aug 18, 2008

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Ian Thomas Malone

ianthomasmalone.com

As Helen, Juergensen brings that vital magnetic Type-A Gen X lesbian energy, the kind of force of will destined to stay with someone regardless of what happens to a relationship.

Mar 27, 2025

Full Review

Samiya A. Bashir

Curve

Why is this film important to know about? Because we all may need the heads-up for our more Sapphically challenged friends and family who will (I promise) try to bond with us over this film.

May 24, 2022

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Kelly Kessler

Common Sense Media

Sweet comedy about when a girl meets girl.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 2, 2011

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Diallo G

I love this movie! Kissing Jessica Stein is Woody Allen-esque romcom about an obsessive and overly-judgmental intellectual who can't get out of her own way, and who, in desperation, turns to a surprise connection with another woman, and has to learn how to navigate a same-sex relationship that she is in no way prepared for. It's an inspired comedy, with fully realized characters who fence with witty dialogue which, while sharp and funny on the surface, has layers beneath. The banter is delightful, funny and real, and comes embedded in situations that keeps you smiling and cringing between punchlines. The characters are so specific and believable, that even staples of the form, like the fear of ending up alone, feel compelling and deeply recognizable. I laughed, I cried, felt seen, I was comforted. Top marks!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny pride in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Sexual Content and Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $7,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Jeffre L

Just one of the greatest hidden gems ever!! How could anyone not love this movie?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/24

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BJ M

This is a very engaging relationship movie. I enjoyed it, and it felt real.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/23

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EJ S

The lead character's neuroses are never endearing at any point . . . and neither is this movie. Avoid with extreme prejudice.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/01/23

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Audience Member

Me encantó!! Excelentes actuaciones de las protagonistas, excelente guión, excelente película. 👏👏👏👏

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Director

Jennifer Westfeldt

Jessica Stein

Heather Juergensen

Helen Cooper

Scott Cohen

Josh Meyers

Tovah Feldshuh

Judy Stein

Jackie Hoffman

Joan

Trick

77%

83%

Trick

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Synopsis

Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) is at the end of her emotional rope. She happens upon an intriguing personal ad, whose only drawback is that it's in the "women seeking women" section. On a daring whim, she decides to answer it. She meets funky downtown hipster Helen Cooper (Heather Juergensen) for drinks, and to her surprise, they click instantly. With conventional gender roles absent, the two women proceed to muddle through an earnest but hilarious courtship, making up the rules as they go.

Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
Producer: Eden Wurmfeld, Brad Zions
Screenwriter: Heather Juergensen, Jennifer Westfeldt
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Cineric, Michael Alden Productions
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.0M
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo, DTS

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