Kissing Cousins (2008)

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Blistering performances.

Anyone who does cousin marrying will be subject to extermination in our new genetic policies for planet earth. We want a new pure human race away from inbreds. Nordic is high. All the rest must be exterminated. Anyone who does cousin marrying will be subject to extermination in our new genetic policies for planet earth. We want a new pure human race away from inbreds. Nordic is high. All the rest must be exterminated. Anyone who does cousin marrying will be subject to extermination in our new genetic policies for planet earth. We want a new pure human race away from inbreds. Nordic is high. All the rest must be exterminated. Anyone who does cousin marrying will be subject to extermination in our new genetic policies for planet earth. We want a new pure human race away from inbreds. Nordic is high. All the rest must be exterminated at any cost.

Okay, I'd watch the movie just to see Rebecca Hazlewood who sparkles with zest and beauty in every scene.First, the movie description correctly notes that Amir and his cousin Zara team up to fool friends into thinking they are dating. We are then led to believe this is a 'romantic comedy' which it is not.The audience is led down a false primrose path suggesting that dare I say 'romance' is in the air when romance is AWOL from this film. What is in the air is unrequited love which is hardly the stuff romantic comedies are made of.There are many ways films handle this type of 'walking the line' story i.e. fantasy scenes, dream sequences and/or flashbacks. Another, used here, is the 'drunk' scene. What really happened? Did they??? Were they?? Are they?? Sadly, a suggestive scene used to further lead the audience astray.I'd vote for the apt title: 'Joking Cousins' albeit here the joke is also on the audience.On the plus side one can and should watch this movie for the 'joke' played so well by Amir and Zara. Chuck the misleading title (there kiss or even kisses have nothing to do with romance), have no expectation of any real romance and give the movie a shot. The otherwise pleasant cast and humor are worth it.

A very sweet romantic comedy with an original plot. Jaleel White is hilarious and Rebecca Hazelwood is a doll. This unpredictable comedy is a must see because it not only delivers the fuzzies of a romantic comedy but also some uncomfortable filial squirms. I've followed this director for some time because of his independent short films, including call center and little man. He brings the same keen eye for humor and pathos to this film as he did to those award winning shorts. I understand that he is now working on a short called the crossing, which I can't wait to see. I think Kissing Cousins will be the film to bring this director into the mainstream and up to the big leagues in terms of big budget comedy.

...but it's awesome on so many levels, too. I have very mixed feelings about Kissing Cousins. It threads on very thin ice, both morally and emotionally. As the title suggests, the movie has cousins kissing in it.That alone can deter or even disgust some people. On the other hand, the acting is great, especially Rebecca Hazlewood who gives an outstanding performance despite the lousy script.The story itself is a risky venture into the taboos and sensitive parts of today's relationships. Break-ups, friendships, old wounds, fears, desires, misconceptions and forbidden love, it's all in there. It was an awesome movie, it was progressing beautifully and...it just ended.Yes, my main problem with Kissing Cousins: it's unfinished. I was waiting for some epilogue, some moral lesson, some closure, but it never comes. Poof, credits. I know it's left to our imagination what happens after the "final" line is said in a movie, but there is no "final" line here, something is missing.The script is full of holes and unexplained, undetailed things. It's like the movie is missing some scenes. The only thing saving this movie from the gutter is the idea. It boldly goes where no big romance story has gone before, but ultimately fails to deliver the final word. I'm quite sorry about that. But if you want to see a great love-story, watch it, you won't regret it.