7.0
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Kissing Jessica Stein (2002)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 7.0
Overview
Jessica, a Jewish copy editor living and working in New York City, is plagued by failed blind dates with men, and decides to answer a newspaper's personal advertisement. The advertisement has been placed by 'lesbian-curious' Helen Cooper, a thirtysomething art gallerist.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Bias Dimensions
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Judaism: Positive
Overview
Jessica, a Jewish copy editor living and working in New York City, is plagued by failed blind dates with men, and decides to answer a newspaper's personal advertisement. The advertisement has been placed by 'lesbian-curious' Helen Cooper, a thirtysomething art gallerist.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film is rated Left-Leaning due to its central narrative validating and normalizing the exploration of same-sex relationships and sexual fluidity as a legitimate path to self-discovery and personal growth, thereby subtly challenging traditional heteronormative expectations.
The movie primarily features a traditional, predominantly white cast. However, its narrative explicitly centers on a woman's journey of self-discovery through a lesbian relationship, directly challenging traditional heterosexual romantic norms and making the exploration of a non-traditional identity a core theme.
Secondary
The film offers an empathetic and nuanced portrayal of a woman exploring her sexuality through a same-sex relationship. It features a positive lesbian character and depicts the romantic connection with dignity, affirming the validity of sexual fluidity and self-discovery, even as the central relationship concludes.
The film portrays Judaism primarily through Jessica's family, emphasizing their strong cultural identity, traditions, and community. While Jessica experiences pressure regarding marriage expectations, the narrative frames these as loving, albeit sometimes overbearing, parental concerns rather than a critique of the faith itself. The film depicts Jewish life with warmth and nuance.
Kissing Jessica Stein is a romantic comedy centered on a cisgender woman's journey of self-discovery as she explores a relationship with another cisgender woman. The film does not feature any transsexual characters or themes, thus rendering the net impact N/A.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Kissing Jessica Stein is an original film with characters created specifically for this production. There is no prior source material or historical basis from which characters' genders could have been established and subsequently changed.
Kissing Jessica Stein is an original film with characters created for the movie. There is no prior source material, historical basis, or previous installments to establish a canonical race for any character, thus precluding a race swap.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.5
6.1
Critic Ratings
8.3
7.2
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