Watched this about a week ago and it was fun and thought provoking, but what prompted me to start the thread is all the hooplah over Bridesmaids.
Movies by women, for women are indeed a rare thing, and this one has a concept (women gets fed up with men, decides to check out women) that could be embarrassing if not handled delicately. Fortunately the writers manage to pull off not just a realistic meet-cute situation (Jessica is attracted to Helen not because of any latent-bisexuality but because of the quote Helen put in her classified ad), but an entire relationship.
I love that "coming out" for Jessica is not a big deal to everyone else, but is a big deal to her. The scene when her mom gives the okay on the relationship is beautiful, and kudos to Tovah Feldshuh for an incredible acting job.
This feels very indie, like a holdover from the '90s boom, but it works. It handles the sexuality question much better than, say Chasing Amy (or more recently Sunshine Cleaning), and I like how the experience changes both Jessica and Helen for the better. Jessica realizes she's not a lesbian, really she is uptight about everything in her life including sex, but learns to embrace her artistic side and take chances. Helen finds love with another woman and settles down, so I don't think it's a matter of anyone needing "serious deep dicking" (something that Chasing Amy and The Kids Are All Right were criticised for).
And I've exhausted the big highlights of mainstream lesbian cinema of the last twenty years. Really, I'm just a generic young straight guy so I can't comment on the authenticity of these films, but I am fascinated by tales so outside my experience zone. Kissing Jessica Stein manages to be more than just a relationship film, as it gives lip service to what it means to be "gay": not just being attracted to, or having sex with, someone of the same sex, but living a lifestyle and being true to yourself. Love the gay friends and the argument they have with Helen, especially since they don't come across as cliches.
The break-up scene is horrible, cringe-inducing to watch. Helen is so truthful and Jessica is so lost. Geez, it's hard to see characters that a movie has convinced you to care about be in so much pain, and that's why I give this film credit.
