It’S Nothing Special

Mon., April 26, 1999

Theresa Carpine Ferris

“Never Been Kissed” Rated PG-13

Let me assure all worried parents out there who have seen movies like “Never Been Kissed”: Normal teenagers do exist.

Unlike the extreme characters in the new Drew Barrymore flick, Spokane teens are perfectly sane. They think about things besides the prom and being in the “in” crowd. OK, so we do think about it some, but we actually go to school to learn.

In “Never Been Kissed,” Barrymore is Josie Gellar, a copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times. To get the scoop on young people today, Josie goes back to high school. The problem is Josie, nicknamed Josie Grossy her first time in school, doesn’t get the warmest welcome from the popular group. Then, her underachieving brother Rob (David Arquette) convinces them she is worthy of their esteem.

This is a standard tale: unpopular girl becomes popular and realizes she was better off with her old friends being unpopular. The reporter angle just gives it a new spin.

The most annoying thing about this movie was the over-stereotyped teens; they resemble no one in real life. Athletes know more than just the words “touchdown” and “tackle.” Getting “As” does not make someone a nerd. Well-liked people are not cruel to everyone outside of their circle.

“Never Been Kissed” has its cute moments. Barrymore is (once again) a sweetie.

The relative cleanness of the movie was a nice surprise, I wouldn’t have been embarrassed to see it with my parents. But there is nothing special or unique about this movie.

Grade: C+

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