Kiss Me Goodbye

Very attractive cast propels this comedy/fantasy about the ghost of a deceased husband (Caan) who pays a visit to his widow (Field) as she's about to remarry (Bridges). Robert Mulligan's touch of genius is at work one more time. The story may be a bit strained at times, but the results are satisfactory altogether in the end.

I realize this movie is a remake of the 1978 Brazilian classic 'Dona Flor and Her Husbands' with the stunning Sonia Braga..but some things should be left alone. While I adore Sally Field, she seems majorly miscast as Kay Villano, widow of philandering choreographer Jolly Villano, played by James Caan, who also seems woefully miscast. Jeff Bridges is delightful as Rupert, the befuddled Egyptologist in love with Kay, and a hilarious standout, especially during the scenes in the diner, and at the inn. Claire Trevor is smashing as Kay's mother, an acid tongued woman who still holds her late son in law in high regard. The dialogue seems stilted at times, and some of the humor forced, with a silly subplot about exorcism. There is a basic sweetness about the movie, and the thought of a ghost of a husband wanting his wife to move on irresistible (which 'Ghost' did so much better 8 years later). But Robert Mulligan (who helmed 'Summer of '42 and 'The Man in the Moon'..two classics if you've never seen them) lacks that light touch that would have made this a classic. This is like a fine meal, elegantly prepared, but after you've had a bite..it leaves an unpleasant taste on your palate.

I absolutely adored this movie! I thought the acting was first rate as was the script. Sally Field is adorable as a widow who's about to remarry. No one but James Caan could have pulled off the role of Jolly as he did. He's entertaining, light-hearted, and gets his point across in a rather different way. This movie is one of my all time favorites. I especially love the way Jolly helps Kay to get hold of her life and move on. Very entertaining! Worth the watch.

I think I may have been one of the few people who saw this film in the theaters, but I really enjoyed KISS ME GOODBYE, a lighthearted comedy about a widow (Sally Field)preparing to remarry, who, days before her wedding, is visited by the ghost of her deceased first husband (James Caan), who was a Broadway director and choreographer. The story goes to all the familiar places that you would expect it to, but it is played with such an exuberant energy that you can't help but start to care for these people. Field and Caan are in top form and Jeff Bridges is at his adorably nerdy best as Field's new fiancée (a precursor to his performance in THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES). There's also a brief, but memorable turn by the late Claire Trevor as Field's mother. A charming romantic fantasy that will grow on you upon repeated viewings.

This Hollywood remake of the popular Brazilian movie "Dona Flor And Her Two Husbands" has all but been forgotten since it was first released thirty years ago. Watching it, it's easy to see why it hasn't built much of an audience, if any. Certainly, Sally Field, James Caan, and Jeff Bridges bring some charm to the movie, enough so that the movie is almost endurable at times. But the movie sinks because of a screenplay that is very lacking. The characters of all three leads are poorly written. Sally Field's character never asks obvious questions like why her deceased husband returned, what the afterlife is like, and other questions a normal person would ask in the same situation. James Caan's character doesn't come across as someone who loves his former wife, interfering in her life repeatedly so that her life is turned upside down. And Jeff Bridges' character acts like a complete idiot at times. If you see a copy of this movie in some thrift store, don't pick it up as I did - say goodbye and move to something else.