Character: Linda (Narrator)
Book agent

Release Date: 2/27/98
Total Gross: $ 4,002,640
Opening Weekend: $2,308,145
Director: Doug Ellin

Bonnie on her role:
"It was actually written for Albert Brooks, originally. I'm not kidding! And you know, because we look so much alike..."
Tom Snyder

From this page:
http://www.filmscouts.com/scripts/matinee.cfm?Film=kis-foo&File=productn

In Chicagoan Bonnie Hunt’s portrayal, acerbic publishing mogul Linda has seen enough to wear black to a wedding. But just as she clutches her sleeve to cover the vulnerable spot on her wrist, she also tries to cover the sentiment -- the chink in her armor that makes even her a little teary-eyed at the wedding of the year.
"Linda is a speeding bullet," says Hunt. "She tears along, succeeding in life and as long as everyone looks at her as successful, she's fine. When she stops every so often, long enough to think about it, then she realises she is a little lonely."
"Her real excitement," adds Ellin, "is to tell anyone who'll listen about the impact she's had on these people's lives, because no one really cares about her own life story. She has to live vicariously through Max, Jay and Sam."
A lakeside mansion on Chicago's exclusive North Shore was chosen as the site of Linda's home, where she narrates the story in flashback during the outdoor wedding she is hosting. "I got lost in it for three days," says Hunt, describing her character's home.
Hunt maintains that what drew her to the role was "employment. Seriously, I've received a lot of scripts since Jerry Maguire and I found both the character of Linda and the script quite refreshing. It's a very funny story that’s instantly relatable to everyone who's ever dated."
In an original draft of the script, the role of Linda was a younger man called Robert, "a debonair fellow," says producer Tag Mendillo. "But in the eleventh hour, someone came up with the idea of having the role played by a woman instead, and Bonnie Hunt's name entered the conversation. She is probably the best improv actor, male or female, around today. I can't imagine anyone but her as Linda."

Bonnie’s Kissing a Fool Quotes:

At the wedding. A barman is pouring Linda/Bonnie a drink. He stops and she motions for him to keep pouring. A guy comes up to the bar
Linda: Hey there, hi there..hello..ha ha..Come here often?
Guy: Yeah.. (and he walks away)
(Linda looks at the bartender and shrugs her shoulders)
Linda: Hi, how ya doin’?
Bar tender: Pretty good.
Linda: This is my place here.
Bar tender: Super.
Linda: A ha. Impressive isn’t it? I introduced the bride and groom, did you know that?
Bar tender: Nope
Linda: Ooh well, would you like to hear the story?
Bar tender: (obviously doesn’t) Sure..yeah.
Linda: Just get me a scotch.
Bar tender: I think that would be best.

A really unattractive overweight guy comes along
Guy: LINDA!! What’s up?
Linda: (has no idea who he is) Hi, how are you?
Guy: Good, good, how are you?
Linda: Fine, look at you. You look great. (he so doesn’t)
Guy: Not as good as you.
Linda: Oh well..I showered. (laughs)
(She rolls her eyes and looks for someone to save her)

In her office
Linda: I’m pushing up your deadline 6 weeks.
Jay: 6 weeks?!
Linda: Is there an echo in here?
Jay: Linda, it’s crazy the rush..there’s a rhythm to this process.
Linda: Yeah, well speed up the rhythm. I want the two of you together 24-7 for the next month. Get it done.
Jay: Linda, I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but I will not rush. I’m standing firm on this, I won’t budge.
Linda: You don’t budge Jay, your book gets shelved, and indefinitely. That means no one will read it. Not even your mother. We own it ad we won’t give you the rights to distribute it to her. Got it? Get it? Good.
Ok, I’m having my chest waxed, so if there’s nothing else, I’ll see you both later.
(cut back to the wedding)
Guy: Cruel, how can you laugh Linda?
Linda: (she is wiping away the tears)
Vicky: How can you laugh? You were going to scrap his book.
Linda: Of course I wasn’t. That was just my strategy. My feeling is, great minds think better under pressure. And you know what? I think both of them though about it for a moment and really respected my decision.

End scene at wedding
Max/David Schwmmer: (to Bonnie/Linda) Wanna dance?
Linda: No thanks, not interested, not doing it.
(They dance)
Max: So you have money huh?
Linda: Yes (laughs)
Max: That’s good. Me too.