The original title of Living Out Loud was The Kiss, which also happens to be the title of one of the two Anton Chekhov stories the movie is loosely based on. (For those Russian lit mavens out there, the other story is "Misery.") The actual kiss in Living Out Loud is a somewhat mysterious affair: newly single Judith (Holly Hunter) suddenly finds herself laying a wet 'n' sloppy one on a total stranger (Elias Koteas, Hunter's Crash costar) in the back room of a cool jazz club, and then parting ways with the man. For good. Like so much of this exceptionally smart, generous movie, no explanation is given--or necessary. Screenwriter Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King), making his directing debut, charts Judith's struggles in the wake of being dumped by her doctor husband (Martin Donovan). It turns out life has its ups and downs, some of which come courtesy of the elevator operator (Danny DeVito) in her swanky Upper East Side apartment building. DeVito's character is a nice guy in need of a little human touch, and the actor soft-pedals his usual sleaze in favor of a warm, directly emotional approach. It's the kind of turn that garners Oscar nominations, except that this movie didn't attract the box office it deserved. His performance, like the film, keeps surprising you--a fantasy sequence here, an ensemble dance there, plus a couple of smoky jazz tunes contributed by Queen Latifah. This unpredictable movie has the kiss of class, and is by far the most under-rated film of 1998.

The reason this movie is so good is because not only of its strong acting talent, but the writing, direction and music of the film were all superb also. This is a movie that most would look at and say, "Ya know--it looks good but I don't want to watch it." Believe me--this movie has a lot to say if you let it unfold.

I think the reason some people don't like the ending is because they don't get it. Not to say I'm perfect, but if you listen to the commentary the directer himself explains it. In the beginning we see Judith alone in her apartment mouthing the words to a song. In the end, she's made good of all the things bad in her life, or in other words, she's able to "Live out loud," and sing in the neighborhood aloud to "Hot Fun in the Summertime." I like that she doesn't end up with DeVito in the end because you think from the start that they are, and for once in a somewhat romantic film the two main characters don't end up together. It makes the film more realistic and that is one of the best aspects of the movie.

Although films like American Beauty made a better, more clear point on it's subject matter, this film is a less serious and in a lot of ways less heftier account of modern lives that go from miserable to good. It's good to see a film like this, and it isn't any threat if you have the money to buy it.