Themes: Love Triangles, Otherwise Engaged, Wedding Bells
Main Cast: David Schwimmer, Jason Lee, Mili Avital, Bonnie Hunt, Vanessa Angel
Release Year: 1998
Country: US
Run Time: 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
In this romantic comedy, wealthy Chicago publisher Linda (Bonnie Hunt), hosting a wedding at her suburban estate, narrates the tale of how the couple arrived at the altar: Womanizing sportscaster Max (David Schwimmer) and novelist Jay (Jason Lee), friends since childhood, have different attitudes toward women. Incurable romantic Jay still carries a torch for his departed girlfriend Natasha (Vanessa Angel) and is unable to picture himself with any woman in the future. When Jay matches Max with his book editor Samantha (Mili Avital), the two strike such sparks that they get engaged within 14 days. The thought of settling down puts Max in such a panic that he proposes a peculiar loyalty test -- one that involves Jay seducing Sam. If Sam remains faithful to him, then he will proceed with the marriage. Jay doesn't agree to this, but book revisions keep bringing him together with Sam, forcing them to deal with the way they really feel about each other. Director Doug Ellin (Phat Beach) filmed at locations in Chicago. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
James Frey - Associate Producer, Mark S. Hoerr - Associate Producer, Warren Kohler - Associate Producer, Liza Moore - Associate Producer, Ferne Cassel - Casting, Susan Kaufmann - Costume Designer, Gary B. Goldman - First Assistant Director, Doug Ellin - Director, David Finfer - Editor, David Schwimmer - Executive Producer, Stephen Levinson - Executive Producer, Tom Busch - Line Producer, Joseph Vitarelli - Composer (Music Score), Charles Breen - Production Designer, Thomas del Ruth - Cinematographer, Andrew Form - Producer, Rick Lashbrook - Producer, Tag Mendillo - Producer, Tricia Schneider - Set Designer, David Obermeyer - Sound/Sound Designer, James Frey - Screen Story, Doug Ellin - Screenwriter, James Frey - Screenwriter, Gina Marie Ome - Costume/Wardrobe
Max (David Schwimmer), a commitment-phobic businessman, and Jay (Jason Lee), a neurotic writer, have been best friends since childhood. Jay sets Max up with his editor Samantha (Mili Avital). Although they share few interests, they are engaged within two weeks. Still, when Max is confronted with the fact that Sam will be the last woman he will sleep with, he proposes a test. Jay will hit on Sam. If she shows no interest, then Max will be confident enough in her loyalty to go ahead with the marriage.
The movie's title comes from the 1988 George Michael song "Kissing A Fool," which is featured on the soundtrack.
Production Designer Charles Breen plays Jay's literary agent at his book signing.
The band featured in some of the scenes shot at the Green Mill is known as the Mighty Blue Kings.
During the restaurant scene when a woman offers to sleep with Max, he turns to her and says "How you doin'?", an obvious nod to Friends co-star Matt LeBlanc, whose character Joey Tribbiani uses this as a recurring pick-up line.
The film is based on a short story, "The Tale of Impertinent Curiosity", included in Miguel Cervantes' Don Quixote. The short story, however, is a tragedy.
