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RATING:  
SINGAPORE: In this day and age of movies with convoluted storylines, out-of-this-world special effects, and bloated budgets, there's something to be said for the simplicity of a movie like Kisses. Short on running time, budget, plot twists and characters, "Kisses" packs a powerful emotional wallop without trying too hard.
Two foul-mouthed preteens from neighbouring working-class families in Dublin, Dylan (Shane Curry) and Kylie (Kelly O'Neill), run away from their abusive families and spend a magical and terrifying Christmas night in the city.
A beautiful, touching and very adult love develops between two precocious children, who are plagued by violence and sexual abuse and have little else to turn to
That's pretty much it in terms of story. Yet "Kisses" more than makes up for that in raw emotion. Writer/director Lance Daly doesn't hold back the gritty realism, exposing us to the extreme difficulties that can arise when you have no family, no support, and little hope.
At its heart, it is very much a love story, carried out to its full emotional weight by two very talented young actors.
Curry does a fine job as the sullen boy who sheds his emotional armour, but it is O'Neill, as the fiercely protective Kylie, who steals the show.
Furthermore, Daly shows tremendous capabilities behind the camera (observe his use of colour and black and white). And the performances of his young thespians makes this a truly memorable film.
- TODAY/sh
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