Kiss Me – Kyssmig (2011)

Directed by: Alexandra-Therese Keining | 105 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Ruth Vega Fernandez, Liv Mjönes, Lena Endre, Krister Henriksson, Joakim Nätterqvist, Tom Ljungman, Josefine Tengblad, Björn Kjellman

Love remains a difficult thing to do, whether you’re straight or gay or something in between. This is once again apparent from the Swedish romantic drama ‘Kiss Me’, in which bride-to-be Mia and fiancé Tim visit her divorced father for the first time in ages. In addition to his sixtieth birthday, the father celebrates the engagement with Elisabeth, who is also divorced. And let that Elisabeth have a beautiful daughter who awakens all kinds of feelings in Mia.

The sequel is predictable. Something blooms, something fades out, betrothed and parents get in the way and an hour and a half later we are richer in broken hearts. And maybe a bright future for Frida and Mia.

The fact that ‘Kiss Me’ is mainly intended for a pink target group is due to the problems dealt with. Homosexuality is the complicating factor here, deeper layers can only be found sparsely. At the same time, many ‘converted’ lesbians will probably recognize themselves in Mia, who has always behaved according to the prevailing norm and painfully finds out that she is denying herself in doing so.

The fact that the film mainly has to rely on the target group, says nothing about the quality. The scenario is not limited to the difficult first steps in the relationship between Mia and Frida, but pays ample attention to the consequences for their environment. The makers never downplay the grief of the betrothed and mistress, the bewilderment of the father and the worries of the (step)mother. Those feelings are always believable, just like the feelings of the new couple. As a viewer, you therefore empathize with both those who have been hurt and those who cause this suffering against their will.

The credibility is mainly due to the acting. When you look at Mia, you see a woman nearly succumbing to a combination of guilt, doubt, and unstoppable passion. The character Frida is a bit more uncomplicated, but her doubt and hope are also well portrayed. Moreover, actress Liv Mjönes has an attractive appearance, so there is a chance that the men in the audience will also discover the lesbian in themselves.

Add some nice music and beautiful Swedish landscapes to this, and you have a very enjoyable film. A warm-blooded drama about things that break and things that heal and things that hopefully never break again. Only the title is way too frivolous for a film where the characters cry more than kiss.