Vadim Jean, of Leon the Pig Farmer fame, turns his hand to an altogether different genre in One More Kiss, a serious drama about living life to the full when you've got a terminal illness. It's by no means an original
theme, but thoughtfully handled, it manages to avoid mawkish cliches along
the way.
When Sarah (Edmond) discovers she a has brain tumour, she leaves her
successful life in New York and returns to her home town in the Scottish
Borders, hoping to hook up with her childhood sweetheart, Sam (Butler).
Incidental facts such as that she broke his heart seven years ago and that
he is now married anyway do not deter her, and she embarks upon a series
of sky-diving, kite-flying adventures with her former love in a final
attempt to achieve her "Things I want(ed) to do" list.
One of the film's successes is Edmond. She portrays the demanding Sarah as
smart-arsed, selfish and belligerent but also ultimately likeable human
being coping stoically with the hand she has been dealt. One More Kiss is
not about the physical effects of illness - Sarah is healthily handsome
throughout - but the psychological effects of being given a life sentence,
and Edmond never overplays her cards. With equally excellent performances
from the three other main cast members, this is fine ensemble acting.
But it's not just about performances. Set against of the austere beauty of
Scotland, One More Kiss is director Jean's most cinematic film to date. Making the most of a seaside location and using only natural light, Jean
makes both dour grey drizzle and luminous sunsets atmospheric.
Despite the inevitability of its finale (no miracle cures here), the
outcome of this film is surprisingly life affirming, with a sincere and
heart-felt message. Perhaps a film which might be overlooked in favour of
more flashy fodder, One More Kiss nevertheless should inspire and move all those who see it.
Reviewed by Monika Maurer
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