• Meartz, Paul D. 1997. Media Beat: French Kiss. Dakota Alliance6(2): November-December 1995: 6.

French Kiss Reviewed by Dr. Paul D. Meartz

French Kiss. This Meg Ryan vehicle charges head-on into the stereotypes of France, yet it provides a trip into the neighborhoods of Paris and the fields and beaches of the South. Unfortunately, it never really escapes its focus on plot to immerse the audience in the real life of either place. Of course, our geographic education is only a passing whim of film-makers.

Starting in Canada, Kat (Meg Ryan playing an America hoping to be a Canadian when she gets married) finds that Charlie, her fiancee, has dumped her for a Frenchwoman he met in Paris. She, in spite of her fear of flying, flies off to Paris. She meets Luc on the plane. Luc begins the stereotypic tour as he challenges Kate to face up to life and live. The stereotypic theme of Parisian life emerges. He is near immediately into sexual conversation.

Once on the ground in Paris we are treated to wild driving through the crowded streets. The great landmarks whiz by, but later they reappear in the backgrounds of the slower moments. The narrow, curving streets are lonely for Kate. The lighted Eiffel Tower seems cold in her position as a lost American. After adversity strikes several times, she is on the phone to Canada where she proclaims, with the Are de Triomphe in front of her, that "I will...triumph!" (Her goal is to get her fiancee back). Visiting the Canadian Embassy, the official uses the "Ey" for which Canadians are famous.

Soon we get to sample the excellent train service in France, as Kate is able to eat on the train without food flying around the table. In my Amtrak days I learned how to eat through the worst train shaking that southern Wisconsin could offer, but none of this shaking was apparent on French trains. I think the train even left on time.

In southern France we stop in a village, visit a vineyard, and see some wonderfully beautiful scenes of vines and hills. The buildings are of old stone. The seats at the cafes are outside Even a goat walks by as they drink. Luc is from here, and from a vineyard family

On the coast we gather in the luxury of the hotels and beaches. The food is fantastic. Waiters serve it all.

The film ends in a picture postcard view of the vineyard and those hills. In letterbox format it looks like a postcard. On the back is the note, "Wish you were here, I'm not coming home.

The film follows an old formula in Hollywood, the same formula that has built Paris into the American vision of love: Girl hates Paris, girl goes to Paris, girl finds love in Paris. Ryan even sings "I hate Paris in the..." Given Ryan's stature in box office Hollywood. this was her turn to find love in the City of Lights. Ingrid Bergman. Joanne Woodward, Ann-Margaret and others have found it, now Ryan has taken her turn. The film is a good piece of light entertainment, and the geography is gingerly sprinkled. This is the sort of film that plays to stereotypes and makes them at the same time