Peter (Alec Baldwin) and Rita (Meg Ryan) follow their whirlwind courtship with a storybook wedding, though Rita has those nagging doubts every now and then. After the ceremony, a mysterious elderly man appears and asks to kiss the bride. It is this kiss that sends the two lovers on a magical journey that they will never forget, and which puts their love to the test by unknown forces. Directed by the late Norman René, who directed the Oscar nominated LONGTIME COMPANION. Based upon the play by Craig Lucas.

Adapted from the Broadway play by Craig Lucas, at the wedding of a young couple who are marrying after a whirlwind romance, an elderly guest asks to kiss the bride. When he does, his soul and hers get switched, leaving a confused husband desperate to find a way to put things right again.

Adapted from Craig Lucas' 1988 fantasy play, which was commissioned and originally produced by the Sun Coast Repertory with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. The play's second production at the Berkeley Rep in late 1988 starred Sydney Walker as Julius. The original New York City production opened at the the Circle Repertory Theater March 14, 1990. It eventually moved to Broadway in 1990, produced by Christopher Gould, Suzanne Golden, and Dodger Productions. The Broadway version was directed by Norman René and starred Alec Baldwin, Mary-Louise Parker, and Barnard Hughes.

Alec Guinness was originally intended for the screen role of Julius.

Writer Craig Lucas and director Norman René previously collaborated on "Longtime Companion," the 1990 film about AIDS, and on a number of stage works dating back to 1980. "Prelude to a Kiss" has also been interpreted as a metaphor for AIDS, with the sudden, inexplicable withering of the young and vibrant Rita.

Also bidding for the rights to the play were Douglas Wick at Columbia Pictures, Steven Spielberg at Universal, Alan Pakula and Dawn Steel at Disney, Quincy Jones at Warners, and producer Edward Pressman.

Maxine Walters was the art director for location shooting in Jamaica. Wig design by Bobby Grayson. Wedding gown by Diana Venegas, Beverly Hills.

Filmed on location in Chicago, Illinois; Ocho Rios and St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, West Indies. Filming began April 8, 1991; completed July 4, 1991. Color by DuArt. Titles by Balsmeyer & Everett, Inc.

Screened at the 1992 San Sebastian Film Festival (open zone).

Released theatrically in the USA July 10, 1992. Released on video December 2, 1992.

Rated BBFC 15 by the British Board of Film Classification.

Available in the UK on video, distributed by FoxVideo #1971.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Letterboxed Anamorphic - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 4.0 Surround - English
Dolby Surround - English, French
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. Previews
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection

Meg Ryan: American Actress, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1993)
Alec Baldwin: American Actor, BEETLEJUICE (1988)
Kathy Bates: Oscar winning actress, MISERY
Ned Beatty: American character actor
Patty Duke: American Actress
Sydney Walker: Stage/Film Actor
Stanley Tucci: American Actor/Writer/Director

Norman Rene: 

Michael Gruskoff: 
Michael Levy: 

Craig Lucas: Playwright, Screenwriter, PRELUDE TO A KISS

Craig Lucas: Playwright, Screenwriter, PRELUDE TO A KISS

Howard Shore: 

Stephen A. Rotter: Editor

"...PRELUDE TO A KISS is a sweet smack..."
"...A delicate romantic fable....A sweet meditation on the vagaries of love, what it's based on, what it can withstand, what it all finally means..."
"...Baldwin finds all the right notes in his performance....Meg Ryan is subtle..."