If you spent any time in a movie theater during the mid-90s, you probably remember the specific brand of magic that was Meg Ryan. She was the undisputed queen of the romantic comedy, a title she held with a mix of neurosis and undeniable charm. But while everyone remembers the Sleepless in Seattles of the world, there is one specific Meg Ryan Kevin Kline film that feels like a warm, slightly tipsy vacation in the South of France.
I'm talking about French Kiss. Released in 1995, it’s a movie that, on paper, sounds like a collection of every trope in the book. You've got the fear of flying. The cheating fiancé. The grumpy Frenchman with a heart of gold. The stolen diamond necklace. It’s a lot.
Yet, somehow, it works. Honestly, it works better now than it did thirty years ago because it captures a kind of mid-budget filmmaking that has basically disappeared from the Hollywood landscape.
What Really Happens in French Kiss?
The plot kicks off when Kate (Ryan), an American history teacher living in Canada, gets dumped over the phone. Her fiancé, Charlie, played by Timothy Hutton, has gone to Paris for a convention and fallen for a "French goddess." Kate is terrified of flying—like, paralyzed by it—but she forces herself onto a plane to win him back.
This is where she meets Luc Teyssier.
Kevin Kline plays Luc with a thick, questionable, yet oddly seductive French accent and a mustache that deserves its own billing. He’s a petty thief and a vineyard dreamer who uses Kate’s bag to smuggle a stolen diamond necklace and a grape vine cutting across the border.
He doesn't like her. She definitely doesn't like him.
✨ Don't miss: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
They end up tethered together because Luc needs that necklace back, and Kate needs a guide to navigate the labyrinth of French social cues and train schedules to find Charlie. It’s a classic "road movie" setup that takes them from the rainy streets of Paris to the sun-drenched vineyards of Provence.
The Chemistry That Saved the Script
Critics back in '95 were a bit hot and cold on this one. Roger Ebert famously thought the characters acted like teenagers. But if you watch it today, the chemistry between the leads is what keeps the whole thing from floating away into total fluff.
Kevin Kline is doing a lot here. He’s leaning into the "rude Frenchman" stereotype, but he adds these layers of vulnerability that make you realize he's just as stuck in life as Kate is. He’s trying to buy back his family’s land, a motivation that feels grounded and real.
And Meg Ryan? This was her peak. She has this scene where she’s suffering from "lactose intolerance" and a "broken heart" simultaneously while eating way too much cheese. It’s physical comedy at its best. She manages to be high-strung without being annoying, which is a very narrow tightrope to walk.
Why This Meg Ryan Kevin Kline Film Still Matters
We don't get movies like this anymore. Nowadays, everything is either a $200 million superhero epic or a tiny indie film. French Kiss sits in that comfortable middle ground where the cinematography is lush, the score is full of accordion music, and the stakes are purely emotional.
The film was directed by Lawrence Kasdan. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark. He knows how to pace a story. Even when the plot about the diamond necklace feels a bit thin, Kasdan keeps the camera focused on the faces of his actors.
🔗 Read more: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
Authentic Locations vs. Soundstages
One thing that makes this Meg Ryan Kevin Kline film stand out is that they actually went to France.
- Paris: You see the George V hotel and the Eiffel Tower (which Kate keeps missing in a running gag).
- Valbonne: The scenes in the small village are genuinely beautiful.
- Cannes: The finale at the Carlton Hotel captures that Mediterranean glitz perfectly.
You can feel the air in these scenes. There’s a scene where they’re sitting in a meadow, and Luc is explaining the "nose" of a wine to Kate. It’s not just a romantic moment; it’s an education in joie de vivre. It makes you want to quit your job and move to a vineyard, which is exactly what a good travel-romance should do.
Addressing the "Problematic" Frenchman
A lot of people bring up Kevin Kline’s accent. Is it authentic? Not really. Is it fun? Absolutely.
Some viewers find the "smelly Frenchman" jokes a bit dated. Kate initially refers to Luc as a "liar with bad hygiene." But the movie eventually subverts this. As Kate relaxes, she realizes that the rigid, "perfect" life she had planned in Canada was actually pretty boring. Luc isn't the villain; he's the catalyst for her realizing she deserves more than a guy like Charlie.
The Supporting Players
We have to talk about Jean Reno. He plays Inspector Jean-Paul Cardon, a cop who is also Luc's friend. It’s a weird, delightful dynamic. He spends the movie "chasing" Luc while also giving him advice on how to handle Kate.
Then there’s the "French Goddess," Juliette, played by Susan Anbeh. Usually, in these movies, the "other woman" is a monster. Here, she’s just... French. She’s beautiful and sophisticated, and you can almost see why Charlie fell for her, even if Charlie himself is a bit of a wet blanket.
💡 You might also like: Is Lincoln Lawyer Coming Back? Mickey Haller's Next Move Explained
How to Experience French Kiss Today
If you’re looking to revisit this classic or watch it for the first time, don't expect a fast-paced thriller. It’s a slow burn. It’s a movie that rewards you for paying attention to the small stuff—the way Luc looks at Kate when she’s not looking, or the way the light hits the grapevines at sunset.
Practical Takeaways for Fans:
- Watch for the "Eiffel Tower" gag: It’s a metaphor for Kate being too focused on her problems to see the beauty right in front of her.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: It’s a masterclass in using music to set a geographic mood.
- Double Feature Idea: Pair it with A Good Year or Under the Tuscan Sun for the ultimate "I need to move to Europe" weekend.
There hasn't been another Meg Ryan Kevin Kline film quite like this. They worked together, they sparked, and they gave us a postcard of a movie that still holds up. It reminds us that sometimes, getting your bag stolen and being stranded in a foreign country is exactly what needs to happen for you to find yourself.
Check your favorite streaming platforms or your local library's DVD section. It’s one of those rare films that actually feels like the title—a little messy, very romantic, and uniquely French.
Next time you're feeling stuck, put this on. It's cheaper than a plane ticket to Nice and just as refreshing. Focus on the character growth of Kate; she starts the movie afraid of everything and ends it owning her own happiness. That’s the real "diamond" in the story, not the necklace.