Never Been Kissed plays on the angst of the teenage reject, the need to be cool, how it translate to adulthood, and how one can escape from it. High school is isolated from the real world, yet it has impact on your life beyond it. That's what's presented in this piece.
The story has some interesting twists, and some nice take on some elements, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table. All the teens are played by mature adults, which kind of breaks the mold. That's the usual practice, however, in this case, it is pushed a bit too far. I guess it's to make Drew Barrymore's undercover character seems more believable.
The whole movie is over done with clichés, and none so bad as Drew's persona. They even start her as a really unattractive person, which she's not.
What makes the film any good is the fact that it's funny, and that you root for the main character who transform in a beautiful swan. Costume and makeup are responsible for the metamorphosis, all Barrymore had to do, was to tone down the awkwardness according to the scenario.
It's entertaining, but don't expect too much beyond you're usual romance. The "lie" even rear its monstrous head.
6*/10
