THE KISS is based on Stefan Zweig's novel BEWARE OF PITY. Pity is the word. It's the emotion that keeps Anton (Esben Smed) at an arm's length from Edith (Clara Rosager).

Anton is a poor kid trying to raise his social status by rising through military ranks. Edith is the wheelchair-bound daughter of the wealthy Baron Løvenskjold (Lars Mikkelsen). He makes her laugh. She loves his company. He looks strapping in uniform. She's gorgeous. The movie's called THE KISS. The poster has them an inch away from locking lips; this should be a romance for the ages, right?

Not necessarily. Anton's quest for a higher class leaves him susceptible to external (and subsequently internal) judgment. The ableist muttering from other soldiers and cries of "You're not really with her, are you?" are enough to keep him quiet. He doesn't join in the jeering but he also doesn't defend her.

The prejudice is quiet yet strong. He flakes on commitments; he lies to her. He clearly enjoys spending time with her but a wheelchair-bound wife isn't great for the image. That's enough for him to justify his distance by extending too much compassion, by doubting Edith's abilities, pushing back on any of her attempts to let loose. Compassion festers into pity. Pity is myopic: It only sees a person for what they can't do, who they can't be.

This makes for an appropriately frustrating lead. I think it's going to frustrate because for the most part, Anton's a stand-up guy. But he's got that prejudice. He recognizes it and cowardly remains inert about it. A lot of us can probably see ourselves in Anton and as much as we fear other people's judgments, we fear our own the most. THE KISS isn't the most riveting movie, but it made me point the finger back towards myself.

THE KISS is currently playing in select theaters.

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