I just walked out of the theater with this weird, warm feeling in my chest, you know? It's that mix of nostalgia and hope. The movie's called 'Kissing Is the Easy Part,' and honestly, I went in expecting a fluffy teen rom-com. But it left me thinking about my own high school pressures and those secret deals we make with ourselves. I'm still replaying that final scene in my head—it wasn't a grand gesture, just a quiet, honest moment that felt more real than any movie kiss I've seen in ages.
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What's Kissing Is the Easy Part About?
It's about Sean, this super-driven kid who's laser-focused on getting into MIT, and Flora, who's rebelling against her academic parents' expectations. They strike up this secret arrangement that's supposed to help them both, but of course, real feelings get in the way. It's less about whether they'll end up together and more about whether they'll be honest about what they actually want from life.
What Works in Kissing Is the Easy Part
- ✓ The chemistry between Asher Angel and Paris Berelc felt authentic. There's this one study session where they're just talking, not kissing, and you can see them actually connecting.
- ✓ Jennifer Robertson and Tom Keat as Flora's parents were perfectly frustrating. You understood their pressure but also wanted to shake them.
- ✓ The dialogue was sharp and witty without trying too hard to be 'Gen Z.' The banter in the car after the failed SAT felt painfully real.
- ✓ The soundtrack was subtle but effective. They used this recurring piano melody that popped up in quiet moments and really anchored the emotional tone.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ The first 20 minutes felt a bit formulaic. You could see the 'opposites attract' setup coming from a mile away.
- ✗ Some of the side characters, like Sean's best friend, were underdeveloped and just served as plot devices.
- ✗ The middle section dragged a little when the secret deal started causing the obvious tension. I caught myself checking my watch once.
Standout Moments & Performances
There's a scene in a library where Flora shows Sean a hidden corner with old, discarded philosophy books. She talks about how her parents only value 'useful' knowledge, and the way Paris Berelc delivers that line—it's not angry, just deeply sad. It completely shifted how I saw her character. Another moment that got me was a silent shot of Sean sitting alone in his perfectly organized bedroom, staring at his MIT acceptance letter draft. The emptiness in that room said everything about the cost of his ambition. It made my heart ache.
Main Cast: Asher Angel, Paris Berelc, Jennifer Robertson, Tom Keat, Rosalie Turmel
Direction, Music & Visuals
Director Fawzia Mirza has a great eye for intimate spaces. The film is shot mostly in houses, libraries, and cars, and she makes them feel like entire worlds. The cinematography uses a lot of close-ups during conversations, which pulls you right into their emotional state. Asher Angel is really convincing as a kid buckling under self-imposed pressure—you see the anxiety in his eyes even when he's smiling. Paris Berelc brings a wonderful, weary intelligence to Flora. The score is minimal, which works; it lets the actors' performances carry the weight.
Director: Fawzia Mirza
Who Should Watch Kissing Is the Easy Part?
Honestly, this is perfect for anyone who's ever felt trapped by someone else's plan for their life, whether you're 17 or 35. If you like character-driven stories more than big plot twists, and if you appreciate romance that's built on conversation and shared vulnerability rather than just grand gestures, you'll find a lot to love here. It's a great watch for a thoughtful movie night.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're looking for a fast-paced, laugh-a-minute comedy or a steamy, dramatic romance, this might feel too quiet and introspective for you. It's a 'talking' movie at its heart.
Final Verdict
I'd definitely recommend it. It's a smart, heartfelt film that surprised me with its depth. It's not perfect—the pacing stumbles a bit—but the emotional payoff is earned and satisfying. It's the kind of movie that stays with you because it feels truthful. Would I watch it again? Probably not in theaters, but I'd stream it on a rainy Sunday to soak in the performances and that gentle, hopeful mood all over again.
