A Prelude to a Kiss (1992)
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61% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
37% of users liked it
(10,448 ratings)
In this quirky romantic comedy about soul transference, Alec Baldwin plays Peter Hoskins, the straight-laced head of the microfiche department at a company that publishes scientific journals. When he meets a free-spirited, sleep-deprived bartender named Rita (Meg Ryan), the opposites attract and… More In this quirky romantic comedy about soul transference, Alec Baldwin plays Peter Hoskins, the straight-laced head of the microfiche department at a company that publishes scientific journals. When he meets a free-spirited, sleep-deprived bartender named Rita (Meg Ryan), the opposites attract and launch into a round-the-clock romance characterized by private jokes and an intense connection that defies description. When the two decide to marry, however, an unforeseeable cosmic occurrence entirely alters the nature of their relationship. Those who claim that marriage changes a person couldn't be more right in this case, as a confused old man (Sydney Walker) wanders into the wedding reception and plants a single kiss on the lips of the new bride. Longing for the youthfulness he sees in the happy couple, the man inadvertently causes the two to switch bodies during the smooch. Thinking no one will believe the story, Rita (now hidden inside a cancer-ridden octogenarian) leaves the premises before causing any more of a stir, while the old man in Rita's body is whisked off with Peter on their honeymoon before anyone is the wiser. Soon, Peter begins noticing that his new bride is an entirely different person, but can't figure out why -- and wonders if it's just a natural dose of cold feet. When he can no longer ignore the total dissimilarity, Peter begins suspecting that something supernatural has occurred, and wondering how he can restore his wife to her former self, especially when her body's new occupant resists the effort and goes on the lam. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.
- Directed By
- Norman René
- Written By
- Craig Lucas
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jul 10, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Jan 9, 2001
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
This Prelude to a Kiss is not only without charm and wit, but it's also clumsily set forth: many people seeing it may wonder what, in heaven's name, is going on.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
As a reflexive meditation on the nature of love in the AIDS era, this erio-comedy is poignant but it still bears too much the theatrical sensibility of the source material.
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Betsy Bozdech, Reel.com
A thoughtful, magical romantic dramedy that pre-dates most of Baldwin's attempts to simultaneously be both himself and a cartoon of himself.
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Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
The body-switching gimmick shouldn't work, but it really does.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
So-so romantic comedy fantasy that barely gets by.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Alec Baldwinas Peter Hoskins -
Meg Ryanas Rita Boyle -
Kathy Batesas Leah Blier
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Ned Beattyas Dr. Boyle -
Patty Dukeas Ms. Boyle -
Syd Walkeras Julius - The Old Man
Trailers & Clips
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