Prelude to a Kiss

This film was not as bad as some of the downright cynical reviewers said it was, but, well...but nothing! It was good, I enjoyed it, and found it thoroughly engrossing and intriguing,and it was also,well,enchanting I suppose,I didn't really get the story line,but after I read the summary of the plot, it all made sense. plum.

source: Prelude to a Kiss

Trailer—Prelude to a Kiss

Prelude to a Kiss

Craig Lucas adapted his own hit play about a nervous newlywed (Meg Ryan) inadvertently exchanging souls just after the wedding ceremony with a lonely, elderly man via a magical smooch. Lucas works hard trying to keep his script free from the often-tread "body switching movie" genre, but he has nothing else to fall back on. Bridegroom Alec Baldwin (who also played this part on stage) fidgets about trying to do something other than look confused, and Meg Ryan (after the switch) is stuck doing even less. The old-fashioned handling by director Norman René is too-cute--and though Baldwin and Ryan are a nice screen match, this premise never allows that union to become important to us. *1/2 from ****

I agree with another reviewer this could have been a much more interesting film. As it is, it's a silly, slightly icky fantasy with marvelous acting by the two principals and Sydney Walker. Some very poignant moments with Alec Baldwin, and Meg Ryan is irresistible as always. What a waste of Stanley Tucci! Definitely worth seeing.

Peter Hoskins (Alec Baldwin) is conservative and Rita Boyle (Meg Ryan) is a free-spirit. She has insomnia. They fall in love and get married. An elderly man happens upon their wedding and kisses Rita after their vows. Their spirits switch places. Rita in the old man's body is confused and stumbles away. Meanwhile, Peter takes Rita to their Jamaican honeymoon. This is an odd relationship and an odd rom-com. It's divided in two parts. The first part has an uncertain and strangely sweet romance. It's not an easy rom-com but Meg Ryan provides her traditional charms. Then the movie takes a weird fascinating turn. It's hard to really have fun with this. Essentially, Rita has been hijacked by an old man. It's a little uncomfortable and not as fun as the movie wants it to be. Meg Ryan has fun with the twist but I don't have as much fun with it. I actually like Peter spending time with the old guy. It gets a little touching and sweet. This is a weird rom-com.

I saw this film in the theater over 15 years ago and decided to revisit it. I loved it even more-it's one of the most romantic movies ever made. Meg Ryan is amazing as the complicated Rita. She is both free spirited, yet unbelievably pessimistic. Alec Baldwin is brilliant as usual as Peter, who falls head over heels with Rita despite all of their differences. When a strange old man kisses Rita on her wedding day, they switch bodies, and it is Peter who knows his beloved so well that he immediately figures out that "Rita" is not herself. When he meets the old man and wants to be with him because he knows that his wife's soul is inside the old man's sick and dying body-it's just heartbreaking. Kudos also goes to Sydney Walker, who plays the old man-his monologue about life brought me to tears, and he brings out the true spirit of who Rita really is. A must see for anyone who believes in true love and its power. I give it a 9 out of 10.

I love Meg Ryan. I think Alec Baldwin is a great actor...so I knew it would be definetely worth watching this movie. The actors do great performances as far as the script allows them... Even tough this is an original story the script is not that fantastic and therefore the stars have to work hard. Overall you can say that this is a pretty good movie as Ryan & Baldwin saved it from the average script. Don't expect You've Got Mail and you got an entertaining movie. I give it 7/10.

I actually got this movie in the theatre years ago. I have since picked up a copy of the video for my own collection. It is surprisingly engaging. I also think it is the best performance Alec Baldwin has ever given. You will care about these characters, and care about their happiness.