Product 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?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7000 in DVD
• Brand: TCFHE
• Released on: 2003-01-14
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 107 minutes

Amazon.com
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

From The New Yorker
As a young reporter who goes undercover to do a story on today's teen-agers, Drew Barrymore is cherubic, banging into doors, tripping on stairs, and looking adorably embarrassed by her clumsiness. The film, which Barrymore produced, is meant to be a charming coming-of-age story, but it plays a little too sweetly for its own good. There's hardly a moment of punky humor in it, and the cast, including the reliably gonzo David Arquette, is forced to act coyly throughout. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

What Every Kiss Should Be Like
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!
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
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.