Kissing A Fool

If this is the way Nineties romantic comedies are going, someone should tell the driver to allow the passengers off. The premise of Doug Ellin's debut makes you cringe almost as much as every time David Schwimmer opens his mouth. For unadulterated embarrassment, Kissing A Fool takes some beating.

Max (Schwimmer) falls for publisher's editor Sam (Mili Avital) and immediately announces marriage. Before it becomes a reality, however, he asks his friend, depressive author Jay (Jason Lee), to make a pass at her. It is what he calls "the test". If she goes along with it, the wedding's off. If not, it's on. End of story.

Max is a TV sportscaster, famous for his winsome, womanising ways. Schwimmer has no trouble nauseating the audience with greasy charm. Jay's a nice, dull guy, who doesn't want anything to do with Max's test, although is prepared to humour him. Lee, who was Ben Affleck's so-chilled-he's-hot creative other half in Chasing Amy, drifts around looking lost, probably wondering what on earth made him agree to be in such a duff movie. Sam is one of those humourless career girls, who files sex appeal with Unwanted On Voyage. Avital is an Israeli actor, who wants to break into Hollywood. She has picked the wrong vehicle.