Just a Kiss

Just a Kiss

Year: 2002

Runtime: 89 min

Language: English

ComedyRomance

In the vibrant setting of modern Manhattan, two couples grapple with the challenges of love and commitment. When a forbidden kiss unexpectedly occurs, it triggers a ripple effect of desire, betrayal, and emotional turmoil. The film explores whether Dag and Halley’s seemingly stable relationship can survive the temptation of infidelity and the consequences that follow.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Just a Kiss yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Just a Kiss (2002)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Just a Kiss (2002). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Airplane, Dag's building, Rebecca's room, Funeral venue

Set in a contemporary urban environment, the narrative moves between glossy interiors and tense public spaces. Principal locations include Dag's stylish apartment building, Rebecca's room, and a glamorous office where his work as a commercial director unfolds. The climactic airplane sequence anchors the story, with the flight's luxury and danger highlighting the characters' fragile relationships.

✈️ Plane 🏙️ Urban setting 🎬 Contemporary drama

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Main Characters – Just a Kiss (2002)

Meet the key characters of Just a Kiss (2002), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dag (Ron Eldard)

Dag is a charismatic, successful director of TV commercials who treats love as a game and flits between relationships. His charm hides a pattern of self-centered, unfaithful behavior that destabilizes those around him. He becomes entangled with Halley and Rebecca, and ultimately falls victim to Paula's deadly manipulation.

💔 Infidelity 🎭 Drama 🔥 Seduction

Halley (Kyra Sedgwick)

Halley is Dag's girlfriend who confronts his infidelity after discovering a one-night stand. She seeks honest connection but is drawn into complicated relationships with others, including Andre. Her choices ripple through the group and test her resilience.

💖 Romance ⚖️ Jealousy 🔍 Discovery

Rebecca (Marisa Tomei)

Rebecca is a beautiful but troubled ballet dancer who propositions Dag and becomes part of the web of desire surrounding the group. Her attraction to Dag and subsequent grief add emotional weight to the story, especially as others mourn their losses.

💃 Ballet 💫 Vulnerability 🎭 Drama

Peter

Peter is Dag's close friend who becomes involved with Rebecca and later with Colleen on the plane. He grapples with anger and jealousy as Paula's manipulations destabilize his relationships.

🤝 Friendship 💬 Tension 🎭 Drama

Paula

Paula is a mysterious, seductive woman who preys on the group's vulnerabilities. She embarks on a destructive path, targeting Dag and then Peter, and her machinations culminate in tragedy.

🎭 Manipulation 🪄 Temptation 💀 Danger

Andre

Andre is a handsome, well-mannered classical musician married to Colleen. He becomes a tempting but complicated figure as Halley forms a connection with him, testing loyalties.

🎶 Music 💞 Romance ⚖️ Bound by marriage

Colleen

Colleen is a woman with exotic sexual tastes who meets Peter during the flight. Her reckless pursuit of pleasure intersects with the group's tensions and she dies in the aftermath of the plane's crash.

🌪️ Turbulence 💔 Heartbreak 🗝️ Fate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Major Themes – Just a Kiss (2002)

Explore the central themes of Just a Kiss (2002), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love & Betrayal

Extramarital relationships drive the emotional core of the film, exposing how desire erodes trust and fuels conflict among Dag, Halley, Rebecca, Peter, and Paula. Infidelity creates a cycle of suspicion, accusations, and broken promises that destabilizes friendships and lovers alike. The film frames romance as performance, where attraction can be as damaging as a sharp turn in a script. The consequences of betrayal spiral outward into chaos and tragedy.

🌀 Fate & Consequences

Small choices and chance encounters set off a chain of events with deadly results. The film repeatedly emphasizes how one reckless decision—an affair, a flirt, a phone call—can ripple outward, affecting many lives. The plane crash and the subsequent deaths highlight the fragility of safety and control. The narrative structure's rewind moment underscores themes of fate, consequence, and the impossibility of fully undoing what has happened.

💀 Mortality

Death is an ever-present force that redefines relationships and memorializes loss. The film stages mortality through a deadly sequence—betrayals, accidents, and murder—that interrupts the characters' search for happiness. The final cycles of life and memory challenge the idea of getting 'it back' or returning to how things were. The conclusion leaves viewers contemplating the fragility of life and the cruelty of fate.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:14

Unlock the Full Story of Just a Kiss

Don't stop at just watching — explore Just a Kiss in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Just a Kiss is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Just a Kiss Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Just a Kiss, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Just a Kiss Summary

Just a Kiss Timeline

Track the full timeline of Just a Kiss with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Just a Kiss Timeline

More About Just a Kiss

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Just a Kiss: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Just a Kiss

Similar Movies to Just a Kiss

Discover movies like Just a Kiss that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.