A Prelude to a Kiss (1992)
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61% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
37% of users liked it
(10,611 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
- Directed By
- Norman René
- Written By
- Craig Lucas
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Jul 10, 1992 Wide
- 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.
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Cast
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Alec Baldwin
as Peter Hoskins
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Meg Ryan
as Rita Boyle
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Kathy Bates
as Leah Blier
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Ned Beatty
as Dr. Boyle
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Patty Duke
as Ms. Boyle
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Syd Walker
as Julius - The Old Man
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Richard Riehle
as Jerry Blier
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Stanley Tucci
as Taylor
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Rocky Carroll
as Tom
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Jane Alderman
as Mrs. Sokol
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Frank Carillo
as Tin Market Musician
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Jobe Cerny
as Clerk
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Peter Couch
as Piano Player
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Josette di Carlo
as Mother in Train Station
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Andrew Fatta
as Hotel Band-Drums
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Glendon Gabbard
as Dancing Man
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Ray Gill
as Uncle Fred
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Annie Golden
as Tin Market Musician
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Victoria Haas
as 3rd Bridesmaid
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Peter Hudson
as Hotel Band-Sax
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Paul Hussey
as Hotel Band-Flute
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Brian Jobson
as Hotel Band-Electric Guitar
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Robert Lindo
as Hotel Band-Trombone
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Peter Lloyd
as Jamaican Waiter
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Eric Miller
as Hotel Band-Piano
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Debra Monk
as Aunt Dorothy
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Sally Murphy
as 1st Bridesmaid
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Ward Ohrman
as Minister
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Lucina Paquet
as Dancing Woman
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Fern Persons
as Elderly Woman
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Salli Richardson
as 2nd Bridesmaid
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Richard C.W. Schulz
as Party Goer
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The Upbeaters
as "Pool" Band
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Ozzie Wilkins
as Hotel Band - Trumpet
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Harold Williams
as Hotel Band-Bass
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Rob Riley
as Mr. Sokol
- Jason LaPadura
