Never Been Kissed (1999)
71%RT Audience Score: 69%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 8 nominations
Unoriginal and unremarkable high school satire adds little to the genre
Never Been Kissed is a classic ’90s romcom that will make you cringe and laugh at the same time. While it may not be the most original high school comedy out there, Drew Barrymore’s performance as a journalist going undercover as a student is worth the watch. Plus, David Arquette’s quirky character and Leelee Sobieski’s brief appearance add to the fun. Just don’t expect a groundbreaking plot or anything too deep – it’s a lighthearted movie that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment
Distributor
20th Century Fox, Fox
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Navy Pier – 600 E. Grand Avenue, Near North Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sex-related material and some drug content
Year of Release
1999
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Dolby Digital DTSS DDS
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 12.39:12.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 47m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 9, 1999 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 26, 1999
Genre(s)
Comedy/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan, Molly Shannon, John C Reilly, Garry Marshall, directed by Raja Gosnell, written by Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, comedy, romance, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anthony Quinn, Paul Clinton, Andrew Pulver, Nell Minow, Lisa Alspector, Andrew Sarris, Zaki Hasan, Chelsea Steiner, Leah Rozen, Chris Kaltenbach, Jo Berry, PG-13, high school, journalism, undercover, popular clique, English teacher, Chicago Sun-Times, inner circle, contemporary teenage culture, failed love life, baby-faced junior copywriter, infiltrates, degradations of high school life, nerdy, overly enthusiastic girls, second chance, predictable, dull, shamefully optimistic, fake, corny, charming, well-written
Worldwide gross: $84,565,230
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $151,796,946
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 829
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 16,553,647
US/Canada gross: $55,474,756
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $99,578,734
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 757
US/Canada opening weekend: $11,836,707
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $21,247,219
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 628
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $25,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $44,875,697
Production budget ranking: 870
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $24,165,563
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $82,755,686
ROI to date (est.): 120%
ROI ranking: 856
David Arquette – Robert Gellar
Michael Vartan – Sam Coulson
Molly Shannon – Anita Olesky
John C. Reilly – Augustus Strauss
Garry Marshall – James Rigfort
Director(s)
Raja Gosnell
Writer(s)
Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein
Producer(s)
Sandy Isaac, Nancy Juvonen
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 8 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (89) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (40)
Never Been Kissed does very little to distinguish itself from the umpteen other high-school comedies we’ve seen this year.
January 23, 2019
Anthony Quinn
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This is one of those films that just doesn’t know when to end.
January 23, 2019
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
CNN.com
TOP CRITIC
[B]y and large she generates the kind of charm that, since Scream and Everyone Says I Love You, she’s made her trademark.
January 23, 2019
Andrew Pulver
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A genuinely sweet and romantic story for teens.
December 26, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
Drew Barrymore’s virtuoso performance smooths over the plot holes.
August 7, 2007
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The most exhilarating American movie I have seen this year — which isn’t saying much.
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris
Observer
TOP CRITIC
Attempts to tap into the sense of missed opportunity that one inevitably leaves high school with. Unfortunately, it fails to offer anything other than that same old crop of clichés.
August 28, 2019 | Rating: C-
Zaki Hasan
Zaki’s Corner
Never Been Kissed remains one of the best teen movies and romcoms of the ’90s, and a true ode to nerdy, overly enthusiastic girls of all ages.
April 10, 2019
Chelsea Steiner
The Mary Sue
“This is a very bad idea.” Exacta-mundo, sister.
January 23, 2019
Leah Rozen
People Magazine
Too bad the film, about a budding journalist assigned to do an expose on the degradations of high school life, simply isn’t worthy of [Barrymore].
January 23, 2019
Chris Kaltenbach
Baltimore Sun
[T]hanks to Barrymore’s captivating performance, a fun turn from David Arquette (as her slightly odd older brother) and a minor role for Leelee Sobieski, this is enjoyable fare.
January 23, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Jo Berry
Radio Times
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 2/5
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Never Been Kissed.
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