Prelude to a Kiss is a 1992 American romantic fantasy film adapted from the 1988 play of the same title, both of which were written by Craig Lucas and directed by Norman René. The play's New York premiere starred Mary-Louise Parker and Alec Baldwin, with Meg Ryan replacing Parker for the film. Also in the film cast are Sydney Walker, Kathy Bates, Ned Beatty, Patty Duke, and Stanley Tucci.
The plot follows Peter Hoskins (a conservative, self-conscious man) and Rita Boyle (a liberal, seemingly free-spirited woman) as they meet and fall in love. Rita turns out to be cynical and fearful of life's uncertainties. On their wedding day, Rita is kissed by an elderly stranger named Julius, causing their souls to switch bodies. Peter realizes the change and soon reunites with Rita, now in the body of Julius. While trying to figure out how to restore his wife, Peter tries to connect with Rita despite her new form.
This film provides examples of:
- Act of True Love: After realizing that "Rita" is no longer the Rita he knows on the inside, Peter finds her in the old man's body. Peter kisses Rita in her old man body, proving he truly loves her for who she is, and not her exterior, reversing the body swap.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: When Rita and the old man saw each other on her wedding day, he found himself envious of her youth. Meanwhile, she envied him being an old person who had already survived any obstacle life might create. Combine that with a Magic Kiss, and...
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: Peter does this when he acts as the narrator.
- Character Narrator: Peter addresses the audience directly several times.
- The Film of the Play: The play's author even adapted it for the film's screenplay.
- "Freaky Friday" Flip: Rita's psyche and that of Julius are switched when he kisses her on her wedding day.
- Gender Bender Angst: Rita exchanged bodies with an old man just before she was going to marry Peter.
- Grand Theft Me: A dying old man switches bodies with a bride on her wedding day.
- Literal Transformative Experience: Rita's experience exchanging bodies with the dying old man teaches her that life is precious and its finite nature can be appreciated rather than feared.
- Magic Kiss: The cause of Rita's switch with the old man.
- Mutual Envy: Julius envied Rita's youth. She envied him for having already survived any obstacle life might create.
- No Antagonist: Julius (in Rita's body) is as much a victim as Rita (in his body). After the honeymoon, Julius even reads Rita's diary in an effort to make the most of the situation.
- Out-of-Character Alert: On their honeymoon, Peter notices the differences in his wife's personality and knowledge. Then "Rita" eagerly suggests they have children together, confirming his suspicions.
- Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl: Peter is the conservative guy and Rita appears to be the carefree energetic girl. As they get to know each other, she reveals her fears and cynicism.
- Slipstream Genre: No explanation is given for the switch, other than Rita and the old man's envy of each other.
