Never Been Kissed (1999)

A newspaper reporter enrolls in high school as part of research for a story.

Director:

Raja Gosnell

Writers:

Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein

Stars:

Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan

2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Drew Barrymore	...	Josie Geller
David Arquette	...	Rob Geller
Michael Vartan	...	Sam Coulson
Molly Shannon	...	Anita
John C. Reilly	...	Gus
Garry Marshall	...	Rigfort
Sean Whalen	...	Merkin
Cress Williams	...	George
Octavia Spencer	...	Cynthia (as Octavia L. Spencer)
Sarah DeVincentis	...	Rhoda
Allen Covert	...	Roger in Op-Ed
Armand Reiser	...	Dutton
David Doty	...	Hairplug Bruns
Derek Morgan	...	Armcast Henson (as Derrick Morgan)
Kathleen Marshall	...	Sun-Times Worker

Storyline

Chicago Sun Times copy editor Josie Gellar (25), who was desperate to graduate from perfectionist copy editor to reporter, gets her chance when the goody owner orders the editor to cover the high-school scene by undercover. Josie, who was a frustrated, ridiculed nerd, gets a popular make-over from her drop-out, naturally funny brother Rob Geller. Both siblings find love and joys of youth again. But in Josie's case, it's sensitive bachelor teacher Sam Coulson, who enjoys sophisticated conversation. As the publication deadline approaches, the price of blowing their cover seems ever more daunting, yet inevitable unless she sacrifices her career.

---

Plot Keywords:

newspaper | female protagonist | undercover reporter | journalist | kiss | 

---

Taglines:

She's never been hip. Never been cool. Never been in... Until now

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex-related material and some drug content

Details

Official Sites:

FOX Mexico Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 April 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Never Been Kissed

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,836,707, 11 April 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$55,474,756

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$29,090,474

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Bushwood Pictures, Flower Films (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Josie's assignment also resembles the experiences of Cameron Crowe, who went back to his old high school at 21 and wrote a novel and screenplay based on his experience there, which eventually became the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982).

---

Goofs

When the students are having the sex discussion, the girl at Josie's table is telling her that she is ready to have sex. If you look at her banana, the condom changes positions numerous times.

---

Quotes

Anita Olesky: [Anita runs into Josie's office and knocks down a diploma on the wall] Guess who I did it with last night?
Josie Geller: Roger from Op/Ed?
Anita Olesky: Aww... Who told you?
Josie Geller: You did. You said, and I quote "Tonight I have a date with Roger from Op/Ed, and I'm gonna do it with him."

---

Crazy Credits

The closing credits feature school photos of the cast and crew.

---

Connections

Referenced in Face Off: Triple Threat (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Girls Move Their Butts
Written by Grandmaster Slice and David Martin
Performed by Grandmaster Slice
Courtesy of Jive Records

User Reviews

Under-rated Barrymore Love Story

I can't say that I embrace this as a Romantic Comedy, as I found little funny about it. I did find it endearing, entertaining, heartwarming, and terminally sweet, and while there were some witty moments, I found them more bittersweet than outright comedic.

I liked this one. Barrymore has grown so much as an actress, and it's always wonderful to catch her on the big screen, but this translates well to the small screen, too. In fact, on subsequent viewings, I like this one more and more.

If you're a fan of the Romantic Comedy, then you may be a bit put off by lack of comedic effect with this one, but if you're in it for the romance, it's definitely here to be found.

It rates a 7.8/10 from...

the Fiend :.