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Kisses (2008, written and directed by Lance Daly) is the story about of Kyle and Dylan, a couple of kids who run away from home and have an adventure in nearby Dublin. First-time child actors Kelly O’Neill (Kylie) and Shane Curry (Dylan) are an immense pleasure to watch.

I don’t have much to say about it except that everything about it works. The setup, adventure, tragedy, themes of friendship and love, excitement, humour… it is truly an immense pleasure to experience this film. It is at once charming, sad, exciting and horrific to journey with these children into the inner-city depths of Dublin. The kindness of strangers and alongside the horrible things that some are capable of never ceases to amaze me, and right when I needed him, Stephen Rea (in an uncredited role as “Bob Dylan”) shows up to give us a minute to breathe.

Coming-of-ages films are generally my cup of tea and this one can join my favourites along with The 400 Blows, Y tu mamá también, C.R.A.Z.Y. and Stand By Me.

Something that I’ve not seen used in this fashion before is the use of colour vs. black & white. The film’s top and tail are in black & white while the middle section is in colour. While the children journey to Dublin as they escape their broken homes, colour slowly seeps in until before you know it, everything looks different. Then as they return home, colours fade away to mark their stark reality.

This was one of my favourite films of TIFF08 and if you ever get the chance to see it, do so! The director and two kids were present for a Q&A after the film, and they were just as delightful to watch off-screen. Here is a photo and video clip that I took:

For some comments that are completely opposite to mine, read this (second review down).