Plot Summary

Shall We Kiss? (2009) Plot Summary Explained

Name: Shall We Kiss?
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: 2009-03-27
Duration: 96 min
Cast: Virginie Ledoyen, Julie Gayet, Michael Cohen

Release, runtime and language: 2009 · 96 min · French
Directed by: Emmanuel Mouret
Starring: Virginie Ledoyen, Julie Gayet, Michael Cohen

When Emilie and Gabriel's lives intersect in Nantes for a single evening, a palpable attraction develops between them. He desires to express their connection with a kiss, but she is hesitant. Her reservations stem from a friend's experience with unexpected repercussions following a seemingly innocent kiss, making her wary of impulsive actions and potential complications.

Comedy Romance Cast, crew & box office

On this page (6)

1 Where to watch
2 What happens: full plot
3 Plot questions answered
4 Movie threads
5 Movies like Shall We Kiss?
6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Shall We Kiss? (2009)

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Shall We Kiss?: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Shall We Kiss? (2009) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

During a business trip to Nantes, Émilie finds herself hitching a ride with Gabriel, leading to a dinner invitation that takes an intriguing turn. When he drops her off at her hotel and leans in for a goodnight kiss, she cleverly interjects, claiming that a kiss might lead to "undesired results" and offers to elaborate on her reasoning.

Meanwhile, in Paris, Émilie's friend Judith, who is married to Claudio, confides in her bachelor friend Nicolas about her life. One day, openly expressing his frustration about his romantic life, Nicolas reveals his longing to connect with a woman but wrestles with the concept of only pursuing someone for sexual desires. Judith playfully suggests he try a prostitute, a notion Nicolas finds daunting yet intriguing. However, this endeavor turns into a costly fiasco when the encounter spirals out of control as the girl reacts violently when he tries to kiss her. In a moment of spontaneity, Nicolas asks Judith if he could kiss her purely as a physical gesture, and surprisingly, they find themselves together in bed.

Thus begins an illicit affair that ebbs and flows over time. Even after Nicolas starts a relationship with Câline, he is unable to break his connection with Judith. As guilt looms over both of them concerning their respective partners, they hatch a plan to resolve their conscience by convincing Câline to seduce Claudio. However, their strategy backfires when Claudio inadvertently overhears their scheme and exposes it to Câline. Now, with their partners left in the dark about the true nature of the betrayal, Nicolas and Judith must confront the emotional wreckage they've caused to those who have done nothing to deserve such heartbreak.

Finishing her narrative, Émilie decides that she will grant Gabriel a proper goodnight kiss, under the condition that he departs quietly and refrains from ever seeking her out again.

Last updated: November 09, 2024 at 11:23

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Plot questions answered

Shall We Kiss? Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Shall We Kiss? (2009): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Why does Émilie refuse Gabriel's kiss?

Émilie refuses Gabriel's kiss because she wants to explain a story first. She warns him that a kiss can lead to undesired results, using her friend Judith's experience as an example of how an innocent kiss can spiral into a complicated affair with serious emotional consequences.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the dinner, Émilie and Gabriel discuss relationships and attraction, setting up her hesitation to kiss him.

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How did Nicolas and Judith start their affair?

Nicolas asks Judith for a kiss as a purely physical gesture after his disastrous encounter with a prostitute. This spontaneous request leads to them sleeping together, beginning an ongoing illicit affair despite Nicolas later entering a relationship with Câline.

Foreshadowing: Judith complains about her marriage frustrations to Nicolas, hinting at emotional vulnerability.

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What happens when Nicolas visits the prostitute?

Following Judith's suggestion, Nicolas hires a prostitute but the encounter goes wrong. When he tries to kiss her, she reacts violently, creating a chaotic and embarrassing situation that leaves Nicolas shaken.

Foreshadowing: Nicolas expresses frustration about his romantic life and struggles with pursuing women for physical desires only.

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Why do Nicolas and Judith try to set up Claudio with Câline?

Feeling guilty about their affair, Nicolas and Judith devise a scheme to ease their conscience by convincing Câline (Nicolas's girlfriend) to seduce Claudio (Judith's husband). They believe that if their partners also betray them, their own guilt will be reduced.

Foreshadowing: Both characters experience growing guilt throughout their affair, visibly affecting their behavior.

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How does Claudio discover Nicolas and Judith's scheme?

Claudio accidentally overhears Nicolas and Judith discussing their plan to set him up with Câline. This exposure leads to Claudio telling Câline about the scheme, causing their betrayal to surface.

Foreshadowing: The film shows moments where Claudio appears suspicious of Judith's behavior.

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What condition does Émilie make before kissing Gabriel?

After finishing her story, Émilie agrees to kiss Gabriel but imposes one condition: he must leave quietly afterward and never try to find her again. This creates ambiguity about whether their encounter will lead to anything more.

Foreshadowing: Émilie's earlier warning about kisses leading to undesired results foreshadows this conditional outcome.

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What is the purpose of the frame story with Émilie and Gabriel?

The frame story serves as a narrative device that frames Judith and Nicolas's story. Émilie uses her friends' experience to explain why she hesitates to kiss Gabriel, making the film a story within a story structure that explores how small actions can have major consequences.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene establishes the frame narrative when Gabriel offers to drive Émilie.

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Does Émilie's kiss with Gabriel have a happy ending?

The ending is ambiguous. While Émilie finally kisses Gabriel, she demands he leave and never contact her again. This condition suggests the kiss may be more about testing fate than pursuing a genuine connection, leaving their future uncertain.

Foreshadowing: The bittersweet tone of the film and Émilie's repeated warnings about kiss consequences set this ambiguous tone.

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Movie threads

More Movies Like Shall We Kiss?, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Shall We Kiss? tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Intellectual Romance Movies like Shall We Kiss?

Romantic stories that question the ethics of love and connection. If you enjoyed the thoughtful, conversation-driven romance of Shall We Kiss?, you'll appreciate these films. They feature similar moral dilemmas, witty banter, and a focus on the intellectual and emotional consequences of love, perfect for viewers who like their romance with a side of philosophy.

witty
melancholic
reflective
romantic
contemplative
worldly
Tone: bittersweet, reflective
Pacing: steady, conversational

Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives often center on articulate characters facing a romantic dilemma that challenges their personal ethics. The conflict is driven by conversation and introspection rather than external forces, leading to an ending that is often ambiguous, leaving the audience to ponder the 'right' choice.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on romance as an intellectual exercise. They possess a similar witty yet melancholic tone, a steady pacing that allows for character reflection, and a medium emotional weight that seriously examines relationship complexities without melodrama.

A Summer’s Tale

1996

The Pallbearer

1996

One True Love

2000

Shall We Kiss?

2009

Chance at Heaven

1933

Late Autumn

1960

Caprice

2015

Turn Left Turn Right

2016

Movies About Kisses With Consequences like Shall We Kiss?

Where a single moment of intimacy spirals into complex emotional fallout. For viewers fascinated by how Shall We Kiss? uses a kiss to explore a web of infidelity and regret, this collection features similar stories. Discover movies where a single romantic act unlocks dramatic consequences, focusing on the bittersweet and often painful aftermath of impulsive connections.

romantic
melancholic
regretful
consequential
thought-provoking
dramatic
Tone: bittersweet, melancholic
Pacing: steady, unfolding

Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a pivotal, intimate moment that appears innocuous. This event then unravels the characters' existing lives, exposing hidden truths, testing loyalties, and forcing characters to confront the gap between their desires and their realities. The structure often involves reflection on the initial catalyst.

Why they belong together: These films share a core plot device—the consequential kiss—and the thematic exploration of cause and effect in relationships. They carry a bittersweet or melancholic tone, a steady pacing that allows the consequences to unfold naturally, and often feature ambiguous endings that reflect the complexity of the situation.

Shall We Kiss?

2009

The Last Kiss

2006

Before We Go

2015

The Romantics

2010

Marriage with a Fool

2006

Dinner with Friends

2001

Moscow, Belgium

2008

Seeing Other People

2004

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The Kissing Booth

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French Kiss

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Just a Kiss

2002

Kiss & Tell

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Kisses for Everyone

2000

The Kiss

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Good Kisser

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Not on the Lips

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Kissing on the Mouth

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Kiss Me!

2017

The Kiss

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You Kiss Like a God

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Every angle

Shall We Kiss? (2009) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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