Ben Weber, Brian Stepanek, David Aaron Baker

After an optimistic but nightmarish dating spree, neurotic New York journalist Jessica Stein happens upon an intriguing personal ad whose only drawback is that it's in the 'women seeking women' sectio...( read more  read more... )n. On a daring whim, she decides to answer it and, to her surprise, ends up instantly clicking with downtown hipster Helen Cooper. The women proceed to muddle through an earnest courtship in which, with conventional gender roles absent, they are forced to make it up as they go along.

Flixster Users

62% liked it

12,238 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

114 critics

R, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Release Date: March 13, 2002

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DVD Release Date: September 17, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (710)


  • September 29, 2009
    Not without its charm but overall less than the trailer promised!
  • June 16, 2008
    Quite good, missed a bit like apparently the sex scene - but the rest was okay. Nice story, interesting idea. Stupid ending. But realistic.
  • June 16, 2008
    A mature look at adult relationships. Failing to find the right man for her Jessica searches for a female friend. It soon blossoms into more, but the film is as simplistic as that. It questions the needs of being labeled with a sexuality and also the key components in a relations...( read more)hip. It's a wonderful film with well written characters that avoid stereotype, no easy accomplishment with a film filled with gays and jews. Unfortunately not being American, Lesbian or Jewish meant the film did seem rather distant and still suggests that everybody needs somebody to be complete as a man or a woman. More amusing drama than romantic comedy.
  • February 4, 2008
    overrated boring, didn't connect with any of the actors
  • January 4, 2008
    While watching this, I kept flashing on Brokeback Mountain and thinking about how hard it is to have been in a gay relationship up until very recent times. Not that I'm guessing it's a piece of cake now for gay couples, but realizing how horrible people can be even up to ...( read more)the minute I'm writing this comment, and especially in earlier portrayals, and in recent portrayals of earlier times. But as dissimilar as these two movies are in tone, there is one very striking moment of similarity.

    If you recall the journey Ledger makes back to Gyllenhaal's home, where he finds the shirts in the upstairs bedroom closet, then you may know the shared moment I'm referring to here. Gyllenhaal's mother, played by Roberta Maxwell, is the great scene stealer of the whole movie. Her knowledge of and acceptance of the relationship between Ledger and Gyllenhaal, even though she does not speak of it and shows her compassion for their plight in powerfully moving non-verbal ways, is the great moment, for me, in Brokeback. Similarly, the great moment for me in Jessica Stein is Jennifer Westfeldt's mother, played by Tovah Feldshuh, knowing of and acknowledging her daughter's love for Heather Juergensen.

    No matter how cruel people can be in any era, love, even if it is a straightforward old-fashioned mother's love, can conquer plenty -- if not necessarily all.

    Finally, I want to say that Jackie Hoffman is terrific here. I notice she isn't in the flixster actor database. I shall remedy that pronto : )

  • August 25, 2009
    Jessica: I was surprised to learn that lesbians accessorized, I didn't know that.

    This was such a fun and witty movie. And there was the life lesson, if you will, about doing your own thing, doing what makes you happy and saying the hell with what others may think of it. ...( read more)I thought Jessica and Helen made a cute couple.
  • August 9, 2009
    I only watched it because Michael Ealy was in it
  • June 29, 2009
    good story, liked it :)
  • May 25, 2009
    Cute little gay film.
  • May 17, 2009
    one of the more mainstream of its kind, the fact that it exists makes more of a statement than the script itself but it's not bad...but if your going to watch a comedic film that deals with homosexuality and sexual discovery I like bedrooms and hallways or Puccni for beginners be...( read more)tter.

Critic Reviews


March 22, 2002
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

So irresistibly funny and likable that its lack of depth is easily forgiven. full review

March 21, 2002
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

It's a charmer. full review

March 15, 2002
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

[A] bright and funny romantic comedy. full review

March 14, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

What makes the movie a comedy is the way it avoids the more serious emotions involved. full review

February 27, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Every once in a while, a movie comes out of nowhere to kick up your spirits. full review

View more Kissing Jessica Stein reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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Kissing Jessica Stein Trivia


  • Which of the following movies is Kristin Chenoweth NOT in?  Answer »
  • what part does Idina Menzel play in Kissing Jessica Stein?  Answer »
  • In Kissing Jessica Stein, which poet does Helen quote in her personal ad?  Answer »
  • In 'Kissing Jessica Stein', where did Jessica go to college?  Answer »

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