Prelude to a Kiss (1992)

Really Surprised!

As Good As It Gets

A Disappointing Continuation

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

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.

Two very different people fall in love, get married and discover that one of them is even more different than the other imagined. What happened? Can true love triumph?Watching this film reminded me of why I used to think Alec Baldwin was hot. Somewhere between then and now he forgot how to smile (what happened?); and in forgetting that, he hugely decreased his acting range (his nomination for Best Supporting Actor in *The Cooler* aside -- he doesn't smile in that film either!).Back then, Baldwin was still capable of portraying whimsy & warmth, his character likable; Meg Ryan was still acting rather than playing her mid-90s formulaic "Meg Ryan" role.Although its origin as a stage play kept peeking out in the style of dialog, the limited sets & the number of characters on stage at any one time, I like live theater. Maybe that's why I LIKED *Prelude to a kiss*! Whatever. It snuck up on me. It's not *You've got mail*, but it's enjoyable entertainment, and a good chick flick. Underrated.

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.

Average fantasy romance comedy that has average production and bad screenplay.Almost like one of those nimerous Walt Disney fantasy B movies where in spirits/identities switch to create a funny situation.Only for big fans of the lead stars and this particular genre......