This one starts like many
a romantic movie. Jessica Stein (co-writer/producer Jennifer Westfeldt) is a straight
Jewish journalist in New York, going through a series of disastrous dates. But
Jessica takes a turn that others do not when she answers a woman-seeking-woman
personals ad. Meanwhile, artist Helen Cooper (co-writer/ producer Heather
Juergensen) is very sexually active with men, but hasn't been with a woman in
a while. Her gay friends put a personals ad together for her, and so Jessica and
Helen meet. Neurotic Jessica's analytic approach to the new experience of
having sex with a woman is a hoot, and although she usually eschews relationships,
Helen turns into a romantic with Jess. The two both appear to be in love, but
Jessica finds herself unable to come out to her family and friends. Will
she come to her senses? Unexpectedly, Jessica's mother Judy (Tovah Feldshuh) comes
through for her daughter. (spoiler here) In some ways, all of the characters
seem to be on the way to finding happiness in their lives, but when Jessica decides
to go back to a man who has verbally abused her throughout the film, it doesn't
make sense for the character's growth, regardless of whether she turned out to
be simply bicurious or straight after all. What we thought was a romantic comedy
about two women turns out to be about a straight couple. It's a cute, smart and
witty comedy ... as long as you stop watching before the last ten minutes of the
film. |