Kisses (2008)

Really Surprised!

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Dylan and Kylie live next to each other in the lower class townhouses outside Dublin with their dysfunctional families. Kylie's uncle has returned and she's hiding under her bed. She discovers a money stash. Dylan's ma gets hit by his da. Dylan escapes with Kylie's help. Fearing reprisal for the damages, they runaway and head off for Dylan's brother Barry.The kids are undeniably foul-mouthed cute. It's an adventurous trip and a coming-of-age story. It's part fable and part gutter realism. It is utterly sweet and poignant with a bit of Bob Dylan. And the two young actors are fabulous especially the girl. The camera is almost always at their level. It's a shorter indie but very sweet.

Non-narrative films can be great, but this is something different. *Kisses* has enough plot and complications for anyone. Every thread is resolved, every theme revisited in this study of the beauty and terror of adolescents tasting freedom. This is one of those films in which painstakingly localized settings and characterization achieve the universal.I kept thinking of a line from Dennis Cooper while watching this: "And when they kiss, it's so cold and impressive to them." Yes, the kisses in this film are impressive to the characters, but there's nothing cold about them. They always seem to a seal a bond as warm as the sun. And though there's desperation and insecurity, the characters hold back and compensate as they would in real life. There are things we tell ourselves not to show until at last they show without our permission.Danger and wonder are everywhere, yet the tone deftly avoids the sentimental even when the structure employs techniques from classic melodrama.There are moments of joy in *Kisses* in which everything stops, like musical numbers without singing. And the use of color makes you wonder if it's the cinematography that's stunning or simply the world itself.

The acting of the kids was really good. They were portrayed realistic, which made out most of the charm. Yet, in the end, the movie got a little unrealistic turn into somewhat like an action movie, which was definitely unnecessary (except they ran out of ideas). It seemed to me, as if the director wanted to show that he can shoot also action-scenes. All in all the ideas were a little few, which were also not completely new. The supporting characters did not have much originality. Especially the ending was little bit too conventional and foreseeable. Portray of two kids was great, yet the story lacked of originality and ideas. Since the movie is just 78min long, it's worth watching.

Interview with Lance DalySynopsis Kisses is a road movie in which two teenagers are trying to flee from their dysfunctional home situation. The change in their life is the discovery of each other (and themselves) while wandering through Dublin (and Trollhatan). The basis for Kisses can be found in major social problems, but Lance Daly is not really appealing to a higher moral or coming up with solutions for Irish victims of abuse. The moral of the film: When you kiss, you either give or you take.Where did you find Kylie and Dylan, the lead actors in the film Kisses? LD: We have seen a lot of kids at schools, malls, etc. Finally we made a selection of 15 boys and girls and invited them for a serious screen-test. The role of Kylie was clearly for Kelly O'Neill , as she didn't need any encouragement at all. Dylan (Shane Curry) was the only one who could cope with the attitude of Kelly and after seeing the end result I think we have done a good job casting the two.Working with and directing of kids is generally experienced as very difficult and time consuming, how was that the case for Kisses? LD: Working with kids is indeed difficult and puts a strain on your endurance and mood. I had to adjust to the fact that we were not allowed to keep on filming, because the kids are protected by laws indicating they may only work so much a day. Secondly, they have a mind of their own and you just can not treat them the same as adults. This was at times frustrating, especially Kylie is very demanding and time consuming. On the other hand, Kylie and Dylan make the film and they have done a superb job. Can you elaborate some more about the title, why did you choose for 'Kisses'? LD: The title was pretty obvious for me and came up during writing the script. The film consists of several chapters and every chapter ends with a kiss. The kisses symbolize hope and love, which makes it a bit cheesy and romanticizes the film. But hey it works and closes the chapters well. There are many references to Bob Dylan, where does this fascination come from and why was it so pre-eminently in the film? LD: Well Bob Dylan is a great musician, whose music fits perfectly with the spirit of the film. The appearance of the look alike was a coincidence but also works out perfect with the accidental meeting with Kylie and Dylan.Have you considered adding English subtitles to the film as the Irish accent is difficult to understand for non Irish viewers? LD: It is funny that you ask me that question. Recently we have had this discussion back home and we just didn't know for sure. During the Q&A after the screening at festivals we have asked the audience if they would have understood the film better if there were English subtitles. Almost half of the people would have liked it and therefore I expect subtitles will be added before the theatrical release.What is the foresight for Kisses? LD: Focus Features and CAA (North America) picked up Kisses for sales and distribution. At this point the film is still showing at some festivals and around December 2008 Kisses will have its theatrical premiere in several countries.http://jeroenachterberg.blogspot.com/