For Drew Barrymore, who also makes her debut as a film producer, NEVER BEEN KISSED is a labor of love. "I wanted to make this movie because it taps into an emotion everyone can identify with: the awkward moments of our high school years," she says. "For Josie, high school was a horrible, humiliating experience. She completely lacks in social skills, and now, when she has to relive those years by going back, she again misses the mark by a mile."

Returning to high school, Barrymore’s "Josie Grossie" is truly a fish out of water. "Josie is an adult who’s going to high school disguised as a teenager," points out director Raja Gosnell. "Of course, she’s going to be out of sync with her ‘peers.’"

But Josie eventually finds acceptance — among her classmates and with her herself. Producer Nancy Juvonen was particularly attracted to this aspect of the story. "There are times in all of our lives when we tried to fit in somewhere, whether it was at camp, in school, or in the work place; most times we at first don’t succeed," she explains. "Josie has to go through many levels of discomfort before she finally finds that acceptance from within."

According to co-screenwriter Abby Kohn, experiencing the ups and downs of high school life is something everyone can identify with. "High school makes an indelible impression on people’s lives, perhaps more than any other four year period. So I think many people dream about returning to high school and doing things differently — do them right this time."

Producer Sandy Isaac agrees: "We hope NEVER BEEN KISSED has universal appeal. Everyone has had a high school experience that he or she would like to revisit." The chance to work with Drew Barrymore was another big plus for Isaac. "NEVER BEEN KISSED is the perfect vehicle for her," he explains. "I think she’s going to be the next great movie star."