Kissing a Fool
| Kissing a Fool | |
|---|---|
 Promotional film poster | |
| Directed by | Doug Ellin |
| Written by | James Frey Doug Ellin |
| Produced by | Stephen Tag Mendillo Andrew Form Rick Lashbrook |
| Starring | David Schwimmer Jason Lee Mili Avital Bonnie Hunt Kari Wührer Vanessa Angel |
| Edited by | David Finfer |
| Music by | Joseph Vitarelli |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date | February 27, 1998 |
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $19 million |
| Box office | $4,106,588 |
Kissing A Fool is a 1998 American romantic comedy film directed by Doug Ellin. It primarily stars David Schwimmer, Jason Lee, Mili Avital, Kari Wührer and Vanessa Angel. Its plot is inspired by the short story "El curioso impertinente" that appears in Don Quixote.[1][citation needed]
Synopsis
Max (David Schwimmer), an alpha-male commitment-phobic sports broadcaster, and Jay (Jason Lee), a neurotic novelist, have been best friends since childhood. Jay sets Max up with his editor Samantha (Mili Avital). Although they share few interests, they are engaged within two weeks. Still, when Max is confronted with the fact that Sam will be the last woman he will sleep with, he proposes a test. Jay will hit on Sam. If she shows no interest, then Max will be confident enough in her loyalty to go ahead with the marriage. However while Jay doesn't want to, the two realize they are obviously made for each other.
Cast
- David Schwimmer – Max Abbitt
- Jason Lee – Jay Murphy
- Mili Avital – Samantha Andrews
- Bonnie Hunt – Linda Streicher
- Kari Wührer – Dara
- Vanessa Angel – Natasha
- Bitty Schram – Vicki Pelam
- Judy Greer – Andrea
- Frank Medrano – Cliff Randal
- Ron Beattie – Priest
- Doug Ellin – Bartender (and Springer Guest)
- Tag Mendillo – Wedding Guest at Bar (and Springer Guest)
- Justine Bentley – Beautiful Woman at Bar
- Liza Cruzat – Dara's Friend
- Jessica Mills – Dara's Friend #2
- Sammy Sosa – Himself
- Jerry Springer – Himself
- Mike Squire – Spanish Man in Bed
- Marco Siviero – French Man in Bed
- Steve Seagren – Heckler
- Philip R. Smith – Fan on the Street
- Jayson Fate – Rudolpho
- Ross Bon – Blue Kings Lead Singer
- Antimo Fiore – Tony
Reception
Kissing a Fool received mostly negative reviews from critics, earning a 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 30 reviews.[2][3][4]
Box office
This film tanked and subsequently, the movie did not make as much profit as expected.[5] The film's budget was $19 million USD and the box office took in just $4.107 million USD
Soundtrack
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on March 24, 1998, and was composed by Joseph Vitarelli. The track listing is:
- 01. 'Baby Drives Me Wild' – The Mighty Blue Kings
- 02. 'Leaving Town'
- 03. 'The Girl Who Is'
- 04. 'The Green Mill' – The Mighty Blue Kings
- 05. 'Spark Of My Life' – The Mighty Blue Kings
- 06. 'Here She Comes'
- 07. 'Visiting Natassia'
- 08. 'Bad Date'
- 09. 'Grinnin' Like A Chessy Cat' – The Mighty Blue Kings
- 10. 'Pure Rental'
- 11. 'Jay Alone'
- 12. 'Martinis'
- 13. 'The Toast'
- 14. 'At Last' – Etta James
Other notable songs not featured in the soundtrack include:
- 'We Are In Love' – Harry Connick, Jr.
- 'Ready For Love' – Bad Company
- 'All Out Of Love' – Air Supply
- 'Learn To Love' – Harry Connick, Jr.
- 'Last' – Gravity Kills
- 'Crazy' – Cordrazine
- 'Be Your Own' – Rebekah
Locations
Filmed in Chicago, Illinois, Kissing A Fool utilises several locations within the area. Amongst them are:
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- The Green Mill Jazz Club
- Wrigley Field
- Outside the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist building
- Ambria Restaurant at 2300 N. Lincoln Park W., which closed in June 2007
- Lake Bluff's bluff was used as the back drop for the film's wedding scenes
References
- ^ Spanish Wikipedia article on El curioso impertinente
- ^ Gates, Anita (1998-02-27). "Movie Review - Kissing A Fool - FILM REVIEW; When Love Is Blind At First Sight - NYTimes.com". Movies.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ "Kissing A Fool :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. 1998-02-27. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ Thomas, Kevin (1998-02-27). "'Kissing a Fool' Builds Contrived Love Triangle - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ Welkos, Robert W. (1998-03-03). "No Competition for No. 1 'Titanic' - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-09-02.