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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

The Class Clown Just Turned Chic.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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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

Leelee Sobieski was originally offered the role of Kristin but she opted to play the role of Aldys instead finding that character more interesting.

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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.

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Quotes

Gibby Zerefski: You totally ripped off my Malibu Barbie idea!
Kirsten Liosis: Nuh-uh, I'm Disco Barbie!
[Kirsten does a funky dance move]
Kristin Davis: And I'm Evening Wear Barbie.
[Kristin flips her hair]

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Spoofs The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

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Soundtracks

Seventeen (Demo)
Written by Jim Adkins, Tom Linton, Rick Burch and Zach Lind
Performed by Jimmy Eat World
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under License from EMI Music Special Markets

User Reviews

A poor comedy, but a cute Barrymore romance

Josie has never been kissed, she was just an unpopular, ridiculed nerd in high school. But now Josie is 25, working for a newspaper when she gets a chance to go undercover and report on the high school scene. Drew Barrymore stars as Josie, and as usual, she is very cute and charming.

This movie is a comedy, but unfortunately, it's not very funny. They tried to show a clash with the differences between 80s and 90s teenagers, but they did it with very little thought. As a consequence, very little humour came through, mostly coming across as forced and superficial. They did a better job with the "losers" vs. "popular" clash, but that has been way over done in many movies.

Despite their poor attempts at comedy, the movie is saved by Barrymore's heart and the sweet romance. Michael Vartan plays Sam, a high school teacher, who sees all of Josie's potential. Some of which she has already reached, and for the rest, well, you'll just have to watch "Never Been Kissed".