Customer Reviews

Never Been Kissed

5 star:		(140)
4 star:		(50)
3 star:		(30)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

I waited for the DVD release of the movie since I had heard bad reviews. Less than half way through watching it I knew I'd have to go buy it the very next day. I think I've now seen "Never Been Kissed" (a safe guess...) 15 times. I absolutely love this movie! To any girl who had a hard time "surviving" high school, who opted to take the high road and dreamed of coming back and showing them all--this is it! Drew Barrymore is out-of-this-world. I relived horrible high school moments and laughed till I cried. This is a fun, clean, feel good movie. If you don't buy this you're going to kick yourself later.

I loved this movie....thought it was adorable, charming, sweet just a really good movie. Drew Barrymore plays a great character and I had a good time watching her navagate through high school a 2nd time. I think it would be fun to have that chance and I am sure everyone thinks about what it would be like to go back and do things differently and know you get the chance with this movie. I'd recommend watching it. I bought it from Amazon Unbox and it is good quality and plays well. I liked watching it right after I graduated high school and I enjoyed it a second time as well.

I rented this movie fully expecting another run of the mill teenager and chick movie. I was pleasantly surprised by what turned out to be a very sweet, funny and real movie. The main character of Josie is someone I think many people can relate to and the situations she experiences in high school (both times she goes) are very true to life. Add to this a great supporting cast of interesting, developed characters and you get a movie that is easy to watch over and over again.... a must see!

Drew Barrymore is back better than ever - as Josie a news reporter who goes back to school to do a really article for the Sunday Times Newspaper who she works for. But, its not all easy, as Josie remembers her terrible high school past and it returns her - but can she be cool this time? Also starring David Arquette (Scream, Dreams With the Fishes, Scream 2) and Leelee Sobieski (Joan Of Arc, Deep Impact).

A teenage girl or boy should not miss this - its a must see!

Heartwarming and hilarious, Never Been Kissed takes you down a path of self-discovery for Josie Gellar (Drew Barrymore), a shy copy editor for the Chicago Sun Times. At a staff meeting one day, she is given the chance of a lifetime. She gets to be an undercover reporter and she'll be going back to high school. She is incredibly excited until she realizes that none of her co-workers think she can really do it and her brother points out that she was a loser in her high school days.

Unable to cast aside her past experiences and doubts, Josie is unable to overcome her insecurities until her brother Rob (David Arquette) convinces her that all she needs is to believe in herself, and have someone else believe in her. With his help, she begins to find her wilder and more free-spirited side, both in and out of school. This attracts the attention of the popular kids and the eyes of her English teacher, Sam Coulson (Michael Vartan), who she begins to fall in love with.

Unfortunately, as her romantic feelings begin to blossom for Sam, her boss decides that her romantic interests in Sam (and his reciprocating feelings) must be the story. This causes Josie to almost ruin any chance she might have with Sam just so she can save her job.

In the end, she writes an incredibly popular story about her self-discovery. She also apologizes to everyone who she hurt along the way, including Sam, who she doesn't specifically name. She informs him of her feelings and asks him to please meet her on the pitcher's mound on the night of the state baseball championship for her first 'real' kiss.

NBK is a happy love story with some very sad flashbacks that help the viewer to understand the pain that Josie once endured and is now overcoming. The performances by the entire cast are incredible.

This is definitely a great movie for teen girls, or anyone else, to watch!