Cast
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Drew Barrymore
as Josie Geller
David Arquette
as Rob Geller
Molly Shannon
as Anita
Michael Vartan
as Sam Coulson
Jessica Alba
as Kirsten
John C. Reilly
as Gus Strauss
James Franco
as Jason
Octavia Spencer
as Cynthia
Jenny Bicks
as Miss Haskell
Garry Marshall
as Rigfort
Sean Whalen
as Merkin
Cress Williams
as George
Sarah DeVincentis
as Rhoda
Allen Covert
as Roger in Op-Ed
Armand Reiser
as Dutton
Crew
Director
- Raja Gosnell
Producer
- Sandy Isaac
- Nancy Juvonen
Reviews
John Chard
Don't worry baby, Everything will turn out alright
Never Been Kissed sees Drew Barrymore's copy editor, Josie Geller, yearn to be a reporter. Something that comes her way when by way of a fluke, she's selected for an undercover mission at High School. Trouble is, is that she's got to be 17 again, and that's something that brings back all of those horrible moments from her high school days. The time of having no friends, the butt of the jokes and ignored by the boys (all told in cringe inducing flashbacks).
Cue much fun as the 25 year old Josie not only tries to bluff everyone that she's 17, but tries to fit in with the youth who have considerably changed from back in her days. Enter cool as ice brother Rob (David Arquette) who decides to lend a helping hand, with some funny and excellently scripted results. Not only this but we of course have the obligatory love interest, only this is a kicker as it concerns Josie's teacher Sam (a sickeningly handsome Michael Vartan). Cue Sam on mind overload as his feelings lead him onto what he thinks is morally dubious ground...
It's as frothy as can be is this one, perhaps in the running for the 90s most chickiest ckick flick? But, and I say this as a middle aged guy, the jokes are spot on, it's endearing as heck and it boasts a quite marvellous turn from Barrymore. It's the sort of performance that could light up the most turgid of comedy movies. It's a threefold character portrayal of some depth and no little charm. She's well supported by the always likable Arquette, while notable turns also come from John C Reilly, the ever reliable Molly Shannon and Leelee Sobieski. While the sharp eyed will spot future Green Goblin James Franco and Susan Storm herself, Jessica Alba, nestling in amongst the teen performers.
Nothing remotely new here, but for some genuine laugh out loud comedy moments, a feel good factor soaring through the roof, a kick-ass soundtrack and Barrymore herself, this is more than recommended as a pick me up movie. 7.5/10
Aug 15, 2019
Kamurai
Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend.
Look, I have some fairly negative memories of this movie over the years, and I'm not saying it is the best, but for all its flaws, it holds up surprisingly well.
The idea of Drew Barrymore (even in 1999) being able to pass for a high school student is nonsense. I'm not that big a fan of hers, but she nails this role even if she's clearly an adult at high school, but what the movie is about, and what she expresses wonderfully is the emotion of being in the traumatic experience of high school when you're not part of the ruling class.
I feel like they casted well enough: David Arquette, Molly Shannon, J.C. Reilly, Leelee Sobieski, and Cress Williams (Black Lightning) all do great support roles, and Jessica Alba, Mary Shelton, Jordan Ladd, and all do great antagonist roles.
The writing of writing about a story, in a story of one character hiding herself in another story is oddly meta on a few levels, but it remains complex without being overly complicated, is still funny, and has plenty of substance.
While I don't imagine I'm going to watch this very often, I'll have to credit my mother: this is worth the watch, even after 20 years.
Sep 9, 2020
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Never Been Kissed examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Raja Gosnell brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Never Been Kissed took approximately 21 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $25.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 107 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 156 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The costume department created over 285 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 1999, when this film was released:
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Never Been Kissed shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike In Good Company, which focuses more on action than character development, Never Been Kissed subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Vanilla Sky and Don Juan DeMarco explore similar territory, Never Been Kissed stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 9, 1999
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Budget: $25,000,000
- Revenue: $84,565,230
Where to Watch
