Joe Swanberg is, without a doubt, a very gifted new film maker. As a part of the unfortunately dubbed Mumblecore movement, he creates ultra low budget films that touch on very personal and small stories. Kissing on the Mouth is very poignant in that almost everyone can relate to the mixed up, and often embarrassing, post-college sex scene.
What is immediately striking about the film, besides the barebones aesthetic, is the sexual frankness Swanberg brings to the picture. Sex is shown for all its non-glory and absurdity. I'm not sure if this is a stylistic choice or if the director is using this as a means to attract attention to his first film. What I am sure of is that, at least for me, his scene of self-masturbation in the shower, complete with climax moment action is more than I want to see. It's not because I'm a prude or I think it goes against the theme of the film, it's just because, as a talented film maker, I know I'll see much more of Swanberg in the years to come. From now on, though, I'll never be able to get the image of his weiner explosion out of my mind.
Decent film though, and I look forward to a long and fruitful career from him.