US/1995/COLOR/WIDESCREEN 2.35:1/STEREO SURROUND/111 MINUTES/DIRECTED BY LAWRENCE KASDAN/STARRING MEG RYAN, KEVIN KLINE/FOX//23 CHAPS/CLV/39.98

French Kiss rests its case on the strength of its two lead actors, Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. Kline fans, of which I am one, will revel in delight of his hilariously on target French accent. A hint of satire rolls off his pursed lips. Luc’s grubby exterior and devious nature adds up to an excellent screen role for Kline. Ryan, on the other hand, is predictably Ryan in a role that emphasizes her phobias and foibles to the extreme.

When Ryan’s fiancee, well played by Timothy Hutton, makes a Paris trip on his own because of her fear of flying, he is seduced by more than Paris. Ryan overcomes her phobia, with a bit too much animation, and is off to France to recover her lost lover. Meeting rascal Kline on the airplane is the saving grace for the film and Ryan’s romantic life.

Lawrence Kasdan displays a light directing touch with French Kiss. The film is easy to like and the director moves the action at a breezy pace. The photography by Owen Roizman compliments Kasdan’s intentions perfectly. The compositions The choice of music is particularly effective in French Kiss. Several French songs set the atmosphere and tone to style for a smile.