Never Been Kissed review by Orlando C. Fernando June 14, 1999 Storyline: 8 (0=worst, 10=best) Originality: 9 Acting: 8.5 Special Effects: 7 Overall: B+/A- (F=worst, A=best)

It's every high schooler's nightmare. No, not a stalker to come hack you up or Dawson not to love you. It's fitting in with the in-crowd. Josie (Drew Barrymore) must do just that as an adult reporter to get a winning story for her paper, the Chicago Sun Times. Her assignment involves her pretending to be a high school student and becoming popular. Since she is really an editor for the paper, the reporting opportunity could become a big break for her career...and, as we learn, a big break for love. In the course of doing so, she falls for her English professor (Michael Vartan) whom she would long to, as the movie title implies, be kissed by. Can our heroic bachelorette get her story and get her man at the same time?

Though the high school antics are old hat from other high school films, having the lead student character be an adult reporter adds some funny twists and new facets to the film, showing views and scenes of situations from an adult "been there, done that" or "been there, wish I did that" point of view. Most of the high school students are cardboard stereotypes, which big exception to the chess club founder Aldys (the lovely talented Leelee Sobieski). Amongst the cutouts, Drew's character is really what matters and shines here.

Drew Barrymore character portrayal as Josie is both comical and dramatic as the film rolls. In fact the first half of the films is more comical (lightly amusing for me) and pretty cliché from other high school movies, but then the plot gets down to business and gets personal. Toward the climax of the movie, you do feel for her character, especially if you are going through or had been what she portrayed as a high school student. The flashbacks between her real high school days and present time work very well to enforce her character. Though the plot turns become predictable as the budding love forms, it does hold you in suspense at the climax as you don't know whether or not she will be kissed.

I was completely expecting to despise David Arquette, who played Drew's over-enthusiastic but meek brother. (David portrays an annoying phone guy on the 1-800-CALL-ATT commercials.) However, even his character had some depth and sympathy in this film. Darn, I was sold!

I must question the ethics of the newspaper company in this film, which seemed tabloid in nature. It's surprising and somewhat unrealistic that such a young talented editor like would work for such a domineering somewhat unethical publisher boss (Garry Marshall). But to establish the plot for the story, it is generally forgivable as her career and love life are generally not going well anyway. And once again, the ending WILL keep you in suspense as many of the audience on and off-screen are on their seats wanting an answer to the question: "Will she ever be kissed?"

Copyright 2001 by Orlando C. Fernando. Drew Barrymore picture is copyright altocelebs.net. This page is for personal use only. It may be openly distributed for nonprofit in whole or part, but authorship must be credited.