Josie Geller, at 25 the youngest Chicago Sun-Times copy editor, really is good at her job, which requires brain more than writing skills. The owner of the paper now wants her and no other to report undercover about today's high schools. Josie enrolls and quickly falls back into her own school habits: She was then known as Josie Grossie, she did not make any friends, she even was humiliated. Now, with a good job in her life and with her experiences from a life after school, she tries to fit in as well as possible. Having to seek friendship with some pretty but not very bright girls instead of with the people who really interest her gets really hard for Josie, but her job is at stake, if there is no gripping cover story soon. Falling for a teacher whom she is ordered to shred to pieces in her article, Josie is confronted with her greatest conflict - but also with the chance to undo mistakes she did in her own school days.
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Description
In this hilarious, heartwarming comedy, Drew Barrymore shines as a budding journalist who's determined to go from 'geek' to 'chic' when she is sent back to high school on her first undercover assignment to lern about today's teens. At first, Josie is thrilled with the opportunity until she remembers her nickname from years ago: "Josie Grossie!" Can a former clueless nerd navigate the hallways of high school without trippin over her own feet?
Let's get this straight: Drew Barrymore started a production company to develop original scripts outside of Hollywood and the first project she chose to produce was this, a romantic comedy written by USC grads Abby Kohn and Mark Silverstein about a nerdy, virginal woman who returns to high school as an undercover reporter, finally gets to be popular, and falls in love. And Barrymore decided, as producer, that the perfect actress to play this virtuous, clean-cut, and downright annoying geek would be... Drew Barrymore? It's hard to believe that after The Wedding Singer Barrymore's not getting enough dopey, formulaic, predictable romantic comedies coming across her desk. The complete inability to buy Barrymore as unattractive, awkward, and unpopular ruins Never Been Kissed from the start, but it's doubtful a better actress could have saved it. The jokes fall flat, the romance between Barrymore and her English teacher (played by Michael Vartan) lacks chemistry, and the portrayals of high school and the newspaper newsroom is clichéd and uninspired (big surprise here: the director, Raja Gosnell, previously made Home Alone 3). Gosnell can't even give the gifted character actor, John C. Reilly, anything to do. Only David Arquette, who plays Barrymore's out-of-control brother, brings any energy to the film. --Dave McCoy
DVD Information
Binding: DVDAspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Brand: Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Original Release Date: 1999-04-09
Actors:
- Drew Barrymore
- David Arquette
- Michael Vartan
- Molly Shannon
- John C. Reilly
Reviews
What Every Kiss Should Be Like
by Paige from on 2000-01-05
First off I want to say I strongly disagree with Dave McCoy, writer of the Amazon review for Never Been Kissed. Did you see the movie? Drew Barrymore put in a beautiful performance. And yes, I can believe her to be a "dopey, unattractive" newspaper reporter trying to relive her high school experience. If you saw Barrymore in The Wedding Singer you will agree that she played a very well poised young woman, not a "geek to the core" girl. When I first watched this movie I felt sorry for Barrymore's character, regardless that in real life she is a movie star and beautiful person. That has nothing to do with the movie. When you walk into a movie theatre you don't think about the star's status in the lime light but of what they're trying to portray and I think Barrymore played a very convincing role. Movies are made to wrap us up in the feelings and emotions of the characters so that we can relate to what the character is going through and I felt what Josie was going through. The next time you watch a movie, Dave McCoy, I suggest you leave your ideas of the star's status at home and focus on what the actor is trying to portray. I believe Barrymore portrayed Josie better than any actress in Hollywood. I mean, can you honestly see Neve Cambell or Gwyneth Paltrow in this part? No. And those of you looking for a romantic movie that makes you grab your heart and scream for joy all at the same time, buy this movie. It has everything from a forbidden love, waiting to be lit by the desires of two people, a man who sees a woman instead of a girl, waiting for some sign that the passions of his heart can be revealed and a woman, still a girl in many ways, waiting for the perfect moment when she will know that the one she yearns for is the one right infront of her, to a man just waiting for his chance to make the big leagues. It's a story of growing up and finding yourself. And the ending is wonderful. What every kiss should be like. A must see for all romance lovers.
A warm, engaging comedy that will capture your heart!
by Elana from on 2000-06-23
First and foremost, I would like to say that I heartily disagree with Mr. Dave McCoy's editorial review. Mr. McCoy stressed that there was a "complete inability to buy Barrymore as unattractive, awkward, and unpopular." This could not be further from the truth. In "Never Been Kissed," Drew Barrymore stars as Josie Gellar, a news reporter for the Chicago Sun Times. As the film opens, Josie receives her first undercover assignment: she must enroll in a local high school, where she will collect information about teenagers today. Josie, though excited by the challenge, is worried: her own high school years were spent as an unattractive geek, being endlessly ridiculed and humiliated by her peers. Despite what Dave McCoy said, Barrymore plays a very convincing role and is completely believeable as a geek. David Arquette, who plays Josie's lively brother Rob, also puts in a great performance. And Michael Vartan, who plays Josie's English teacher and the object of her affections, does a great job as well. This movie has an excellent ending, and it teaches you that your status in high school does not affect your career or your plans for the future. "Never Been Kissed" is the first movie I have seen in a long time that is both hilarious and meaningful at the same time, making it a definite "must-see" for everyone. I highly recommend this wonderful film to anyone looking for a great flick, even if that person has, well, never been kissed.
Great Film
by K. Anderson from UK on 2000-02-16
First of all I have to disagree whole-heartedly with the 'official' review of this film. Never Been Kissed is a wonderful, feel-good movie that will leave you with a huge smile on your face long after it's ended.I'm not a 'teen' and I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Drew Barrymore is great and totally believeable as the nerd who is an ugly duckling on the outside but a swan on the inside, who returns to school for an undercover job as a reporter, where she ultimately finds herself.When I saw this at the pictures, the whole audience was totally absorbed by the film and vocally sympathised with Josie's humiliating flashbacks and laughed out loud at her charming awkwardness.David Arquette as her 'cool' and 'popular' brother was inspired casting and Michael Vartan as the teacher she falls for plays his part perfectly.These three actors alone make the film well worthwhile. Watch it and see.
Never Been Kissed
by Kelly from Littleton, Colorado on 2008-03-30
I have never been a huge Drew Barrymore fan, but this movie changed my opinion of her somewhat. She plays Josie Gellar a painfully shy editor for the Chicago Sun Times, and through a comedy of errors, ends up being appointed as an undercover reporter at a local high school. This film switches back and forth between the past and present as we see Josie try to fit in with the students. She was shy and tortured by her peers the first time around which left her with some pretty deep scars. As she comes to terms with her life from the past and present, her biggest story ends up being of that struggle.
Who says there's no chemistry or real love in this world?
by from on 1999-11-16
Contrary to the main review, Never Been Kissed is full of chemistry. Sure it's a formula movie, but isn't that a refreshing break from some of the all-too-real graphic movies that have been hitting the screen? This is a modern fairy tale, and you've got to approach it as one or you will think you're too good for it.Having said that, what makes the film run is first: Drew Barrymore's totally believable character. If you've ever been on the high school margins and then bloomed a little later in life, you can appreciate Josie's situation. But even more beautiful than Josie's personal change is the obvious respect that exists between Josie and Sam Coulson (Michael Vartan) -- congratulations to Drew Barrymore for fighting to get Vartan on this cast, because it's been a long time since I saw an actor on the screen who actually appears genuinely interested in, supportive of, and attracted (in a very pure way) to a woman. Someone should give him a huge pay raise for pulling off the part. I second a previous review about "the look of love in their eyes" -- that's the way a woman wants to be looked at, like this man totally respects her for her intelligence, charm and kindness. It's a perfect contrast to the pettiness of Josie's high school crowd and demonstrates how much we can mature once we've danced at our own prom and moved on in life.Now someone just needs to let us all know when Vartan is going to be in another film!
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