colin-484
This film was obviously made by people who had absolutely no idea about gay men (around whom this film is centred). I found it incredibly insulting. I have no doubt that the creative team took absolutely no notice of (if there were any) gay men who almost certainly weren't allowed creative input in the production of this film.The behaviour of the lead "gay" man was very painful to watch. I know of very few, if any, gay men that kiss their female friends full-on on the lips. I know there may be exceptions, but it seemed totally unrealistic to me. Far more likely a kiss on the cheek or an air kiss. I know the girl he was kissing was in love with him, but I highly doubt he would have been reciprocating or allowing it to continue.I am convinced this film's creative leaders were (perhaps unaware they were being) homophobic (or at least entirely insensitive), using a gay male character as a tool for this horrible pretext, with no consideration for the gay males in society. The whole movie smacked of a "creative" team who did no research on the subject. Not even the lead actor.The only reason I gave this film 2 stars was that technically it was OK - correct exposure, etc., although shaky camera movements (normally used to create tension) were inappropriate.
gracietaylor
This movie is a Disney channel-ifyed version of one of my favorite books. It seems like they filmed the first half of the novel and then realized they were out of time and just filmed the last scene. Naomi's redemption arc was almost entirely cut, which makes the movie awful. In the book, Naomi starts as an awful, unlikeable character and Ely as a spineless follower in the Cult of Naomi. Naomi was supposed to realize she was an awful person who uses others and learn from that. When Ely and Naomi make up at the end of the movie, they're still the same people as before only with a boyfriend(Ely) and a job(Naomi). Also, Ely is reduced to a stereotype of a partying gay 20-something, instead of being the driven multifaceted character he was in the novel. I understand cutting scenes for time, but the novel was thinner than my pinkie - you'd think someone would figure out how to keep the important scenes.
Elise Harvey
As a fellow first year university student, I saw Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List as something I could relate to as I was that age, and that their friendships and relationships would be something I would aspire to. I originally looked at this film and thought it would be a cheesy friendship film where they went through struggles trying to adjust with the 'real world', ultimately ending up at the same place as they were at the start: and it was. But it was so much more! The film went through many issues that we face, as budding adults, and what we have to learn to hold on to and let go of. It breaks the illusions of fantasies, and the idea that we all stay at the same stage throughout our lives. Ultimately, it was a very good and surprisingly emotional film that made me evaluate my life, something any good film should do.
johnwiltshireauthor
Sometimes movies come along that make me regret wasting money on them. Occasionally though one comes along that I even regret pirating. This was so bad I want to actually have it eradicated from my brain. I don't have a huge amount of faith in gay movies to start with. Once in a blue moon a good one comes along, but mostly they suffer from terrible production values, nerve-shatteringly bad acting, or terrible dialogue or plot. And then ones comes along that is all that and also adds in being utter puerile drivel as well. Naomi and Ely are 20-something students living in New York. They are so narcissistic and shallow that it was like watching two selfies come to life. I think they are supposed to be hip? Cool? Fabulous? Everything is...girlie...notebooks with scribbles in...hearts they form with their hands...fairy lights strung around the bedroom. Sorry, did I forget to mention that Ely is a GUY! Seriously, why bother putting men into movies at all? He had two moms; why not make him a lesbian as well? The film would have been much the same. If I were a young gay guy thinking about coming out and I saw this movie I'd stay in my very secure closet. In fact, I'd turn it into a panic room with air holes and some very strong locks. Awful, awful, awful.
AD
