An ode to Meg Ryan: She's so lovely
By JEFFREY Q. IRISH
Doesn't everyone love Meg Ryan? She is America's sweetheart; a luminous angel who floats on air. She is so cute that even women stare at her. In "French Kiss," we are blessed with her acting in the role the dear Lord envisioned for her — the world's most adorable female.
As always, Ryan plays the role of her darling little self, but in this film she is referred to as Kate. Kate is self-diagnosed as a "kind, bold woman, lacking in pretention, with just a hint of sophistication." She hates all dairy products and believes the French are rude.
Kate also believes she is living the perfect love story with her dull fiancè Charlie (Timothy Hutton). But in the opening scene, Charlie leaves Kate to travel to a medical convention in Paris; two nights later he calls her and abruptly ends their relationship because he has fallen in love with a chic French "goddess." In disbelief that her perfect life is over, Kate decides to travel to Paris in an effort to somehow win her love back. On the flight she meets her antithesis, the ardent Frenchman Luc Tessyier (Kevin Kline).
Luc is in the process of smuggling a diamond necklace so that he can sell it and buy a vineyard in the French countryside. But to get the necklace across the border, he must hide it in Kate's bag while she is asleep on the plane. At customs there is some confusion, and Luc and Kate are separated. Luc is then forced to travel across half of France searching for Kate who is unaware that she has the necklace.
The story is quite similar to any other romantic comedy, but for some reason the film just clicks. Maybe it is the mystique of Paris, or the great rapport between Ryan and Kline, but whatever it is, it's uncommon in most of today's romantic comedies.
Between the magnificently beautiful streets of Paris and the picturesque French countryside, there couldn't be a better setting for a love story.
Kline plays a convincing Frenchman (Luc) throughout the film. Luc is sort of an oddball/buffoon, but his passion for wine and love make him a winner. As stated earlier, the role of the vulnerable Kate is oh-so-perfect for Ryan to show off all the nuances that made America fall in love with her.
It is hard to believe someone could possibly consider dumping her, even in a movie. But luckily, there is Luc, and he has his head on straight. He adores Kate, and throughout the film viewers are treated to him pointing out all of the subtleties that make Ryan so wonderful — "your walk, it is like a little girl, yet it is also like a woman." This is where the romance comes in.
In the end, there are many things to like about Ryan and about "French Kiss." It is interesting, humorous and enjoyable to all varieties of people. It makes a great movie to share with a special someone on a weekend, or on any other night to get away from the monotony of homework and alcohol.
All Scene Stories for Thursday, September 23, 1999
