Product Description

When you marry someone, you promise to love that person forever - no matter what may occur. But no one would expect to test that promise only moments after exchanging marriage vows. Peter (Alec Baldwin) and Rita (Meg Ryan) follow their whirlwind six-week courtship with a storybook wedding. After the ceremony, a mysterious elderly man (Sydney Walker) appears and asks if he may kiss the bride. It is this kiss that sends the two young lovers on a magical journey they will never forget.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18536 in DVD
• Brand: BALDWIN,ALEC
• Released on: 2003-01-14
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 106 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Alec Baldwin reprises a role he originated in Craig Lucas's off-Broadway smash (which later had a Broadway run without him) in this touchingly romantic, funny, and underrated fantasy. He falls for a woman (Meg Ryan) at first sight and marries her, but, on their wedding day, an elderly stranger wanders into the reception, kisses the bride, and trades bodies with her. Once Baldwin figures out that something is amiss with the Mrs., he must track down the old man, in whom resides the spirit of his true love. This is a beautiful allegory about the nature of love and the commitment to give oneself in sickness and health, for better or worse, to achieve a true meeting of the spirits. Prelude to a Kiss was directed with a light touch by the late Norman Rene, with strong performances by Baldwin and Ryan. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

ROMANTIC FANTASY ABOUT SOUL MATES...
Peter Hoskins (Alec Baldwin) and Rita Boyle (Meg Ryan) meet at a party, and it is practically love at first sight. After a whirlwind courtship. they decide to get married. At their wedding, an old man (Sydney Walker) wanders in and kisses the bride. Suddenly, Rita's body is occupied by the spirit of the old man, while Rita's spirit is consigned to the body of the old man.

On their honeymoon Peter senses that something is not quite right about Rita. It is inexplicable to him that he could have been so mistaken about her. Gone is the Rita with whom he fell in love, his soul mate replaced by a virtual stranger housed in Rita's body. It is from this premise that an allegory on love flows beautifully throughout this film and serves as an insightful commentary on the nature of true love.

When Peter finally is able to figure out what has happened, he contrives to find away a way for Rita to come back to him as she was. You see, he does not love the "new" Rita. As lovely as she is, she is not the Rita with whom he fell in love. It is now the old man with whom he has an affinity. It is the old man whose company he now enjoys.

What happens and why certainly gives the viewer food for thought as to the nature of true love. Very well acted by Alec Baldwin, Meg Ryan, and Sydney Walker, this is a utterly charming and touching romantic fantasy. The strong supporting cast of Patty Duke, Ned Beatty, Stanley Tucci, and Kathy Bates serve to round out this excellent and entertaining film.

Magical story about true love
Yes, this is a fantasy, but in a world where a movie about hobbits can be nominated for best picture, I am willing to suspend my disbelief a tad bit for this beautiful fable about the true connection of soul mates. Meg Ryan is young, thin, and yummy to the eyes, but young and yummy Alec Baldwin can tell when she's not herself. And he knows the difference between the wrapping and the gift.

A Romantic Variation on the Changing Body Theme
This movie is yet another entry in the genre that includes two versions of "Freaky Friday" and a host of other movie, where two people exchange bodies. Typically these movies are played for laughs. However, in this movie the opportunity is taken to explore the meaning of romance and love.

On their wedding day, just moments after their vows, an old man (Sydney Walker) approaches Rita Boyle (Meg Ryan) and Peter Hoskins (Alec Baldwin) and asks if he can kiss the bride. At that moment the sky darkens, and suddenly the two have exchanged bodies. The old man walks off abruptly (we learn why at the end of the movie), and all appears as before, except Rita seems a bit different.

Peter and Rita go on their honeymoon, but Rita is clearly not the same person that Peter knew before their wedding. Rita seems to have different interests, and she hangs around older people. She also seems disinterested in consummating their marriage. Eventually Peter figures out that somehow Rita and the old man have exchanged bodies, and Peter must track the old man down. I dare not reveal more for fear of giving away too much, but the ending is touching, warm and very well done.

This movie takes opportunities that most movies in this narrow genre have not. The movie explores the true meaning of love, and where love resides. The movie also explores how well we know someone, and whether we are ready to love someone in even the strangest circumstances. I rated this movie much higher because of the approach this movie took to love and the relationship between Peter and Rita, and how well this movie pulled it off. The only scene that made me uncomfortable was where Peter kissed the old man. Fortunately, the entire scene in its context shows how deeply Peter loved Rita.

This movie has a wonderful supporting cast, including Kathy Bates as the daughter of the old man, Ned Beatty as Rita's father, and Patty Duke as Rita's mother. I liked each of the three in their roles, but I particularly enjoyed Patty Duke as Mrs. Boyle.

Movies rarely surprise me any more. I usually at least know generally how the movie will come out. I suppose I knew how this one would end, but the moral of the story and the tasteful way in which Rita and Peter's relationship was handled, even when Rita was in the old man's body, was nicely done. I recommend this movie for lovers and romantics everywhere.