''Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List'' is a 2015 American
romantic comedy-drama film written by Amy Andelson and Emily Meyer, and directed by
Kristin Hanggi
Kristin Hanggi (born: Murrieta Valley, California) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter; and theater director best known for the 2009 Broadway musical '' Rock of Ages''. The jukebox musical received five Tony Award nominati ...
. It is based on the 2007 book of the same name by
Rachel Cohn
Rachel Cohn (born December 14, 1968) is an American young adult fiction writer. Her first book, '' Gingerbread'', was published in 2002. Since then she has gone on to write many other successful YA and younger children's books, and has collabora ...
and
David Levithan
David Levithan (born September 7, 1972) is an American young adult fiction author and editor."David Levithan". October 30, 2008. Gale Database. ''Contemporary Authors Online''. UWM Golda Meir Library, Milwaukee. July 1, 2009. He has written numer ...
. The film stars
Victoria Justice,
Pierson Fodé, and
Matthew Daddario
Matthew Quincy Daddario (born October 1, 1987) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Alec Lightwood on the Freeform television series ''Shadowhunters'' (2016–2019). He is the younger brother of actress Alexandra Daddario.
...
. It had its world premiere at the
Outfest
Outfest is an LGBTQ-oriented nonprofit that produces two film festivals, operates a movie streaming platform, and runs educational services for filmmakers in Los Angeles. Outfest is one of the key partners, alongside the Frameline Film Festival ...
Film Festival on July 17, 2015.
It was then released on September 18, 2015, through
video on demand
Video on demand (VOD) is a media distribution system that allows users to access videos without a traditional video playback device and the constraints of a typical static broadcasting schedule. In the 20th century, broadcasting in the form of ...
.
The film produced over $1 million in the box-office and was made on a budget of $3 million. In a 2016 interview, Victoria Justice stated that "...the film is a drama, to say the least. There is no true plot to the film and I feel like after the movie ended, Ely and Naomi got an apartment together and finally lived their true happy endings."
Plot
Naomi and Ely have been best friends and neighbors in the same apartment building in New York City for years. Ely is gay, often having casual hook-ups with other guys, while Naomi is heterosexual and has recently begun dating "Bruce 2," although she has always been secretly in love with Ely.
Naomi and Ely have a "No Kiss List" where the guys on the list are forbidden to them both. In the beginning of the film, they add Gabriel, their young and handsome doorman, to the list. Everything is going well until Ely isn't always available when Naomi needs him. She has been struggling to help her mother recover from her father leaving after having an affair. Furthermore, Naomi hasn't accepted that Ely is gay; she has always fantasized about him falling in love with and marrying her one day.
Frustrated about the hopelessness of the situation, she lashes out at Ely's promiscuity. He replies that Naomi, who is still a virgin, is just taking her sexual frustration out on him.
One night, Naomi brings Ely along on a date with Bruce 2. After a fun night out, Naomi wants to go home but Ely pushes her to go home with Bruce to have sex, which she reluctantly agrees. They awkwardly make out in Bruce's dorm room until they are accidentally interrupted. A few days later, Ely discovers Bruce 2 waiting for Naomi in the hallway and offers him a drink while he waits. In Ely's bedroom, Bruce discovers his X-Men comics and they start bonding. They kiss spontaneously, but Ely immediately regrets it and apologizes.
While Naomi and Ely are shopping for Halloween costumes the next day, Ely confesses the kiss but Naomi brushes it off. She then discovers a mixtape in her mail from an admirer. While they are getting ready for the Halloween party, Bruce visits Ely, admitting he enjoyed their kiss and wants to pursue it further. Naomi arrives and Ely quickly hides Bruce in the closet while he hastens her out. He then goes back claiming he "forgot" something to tell Bruce to wait for him. Bruce agrees and gives him Orbit gum, to add to the alibi that he forgot something. Naomi remembers that Bruce 2 chews sugar free gum and Ely doesn't. She then figures out that Bruce 2 is in Ely's apartment and it wasn't just a kiss.
This results in a feud between them. She confides in her friend Robin, admitting she is more upset about Ely's betrayal than Bruce's. She then creates a list of things and places for Ely to avoid in order for them to stay away from each other. Ely breaks one of her requests, which results in another messy dispute. Naomi realizes that her dream to be with Ely will never come true.
During their time apart, Naomi grows closer to Robin and discovers that the mixtape was from Gabriel, who admits he's had a crush on her since they'd met. They slowly start a relationship and Naomi applies for a job to help her mother. She also convinces her mother to let go of her father, just as she is letting go of Ely. Naomi admits that although her life is better, she still misses her best friend and reaches out to Ely. They reconcile, Naomi finally accepting his sexuality. Ely, meanwhile, is settling down with Bruce 2. The film ends with Naomi stating that relationships and friendships are different kinds of love, but are still love and therefore, can have the same effects. She then says that everyone can have more than one special person in their life.
Cast
*
Victoria Justice as Naomi Mills
*
Pierson Fodé as Ely Diamond
*
Matthew Daddario
Matthew Quincy Daddario (born October 1, 1987) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Alec Lightwood on the Freeform television series ''Shadowhunters'' (2016–2019). He is the younger brother of actress Alexandra Daddario.
...
as Gabriel
* Ryan Ward as Bruce II
*
Griffin Newman
Griffin Newman (born February 19, 1989) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for starring as Arthur Everest in the Amazon Studios television series '' The Tick'', as the voice of Orko in the Netflix animated series '' Masters of the Un ...
as Bruce I
*
Monique Coleman
Adrienne Monique Coleman (born November 13, 1980) is an American actress known for her role in Disney's ''High School Musical'' movies, in which she plays Taylor McKessie.
Early life and education
Adrienne Monique Coleman was born in Orangebu ...
as Girl Robin
*
Daniel Flaherty
Daniel Flaherty (born June 11, 1993) is an American actor, known for his role as Stanley Lucerne on the MTV teen drama series '' Skins''.
Life and career
Flaherty started studying acting at age 11. When he turned 13, he booked his first short f ...
as Boy Robin
*
Gary Betsworth as Mr. McAllister
*
Dean Kapica as George
*
Marianne Hagan as Mom Susan
*
Maddie Corman
Maddie Corman (born Madeleine Cornman; August 15, 1970) is an American actress. She has appeared in over 25 films, including ''Seven Minutes in Heaven'', '' Some Kind of Wonderful'', ''The Adventures of Ford Fairlane'' and '' A Beautiful Day in t ...
as Mom Ginny
*
Petronia Paley as Mrs. Loy
*
Kathy Tong as Cassandra
*
Cliff Samara as Mahmood
*
Roger Yeh as Generally Geeky Guy
*
Olamide Faison
Olamide Aladejobi Patrick Alexander Faison ( (; born July 21, 1983) is an American actor and singer.
Career
He plays Miles Robinson on the children's television show ''Sesame Street''. Born in New York City, Faison joined the cast in 2003. H ...
as Otis the Singer
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Outfest LGBT Film Festival on July 17, 2015. The film was released on September 18, 2015, through
video on demand
Video on demand (VOD) is a media distribution system that allows users to access videos without a traditional video playback device and the constraints of a typical static broadcasting schedule. In the 20th century, broadcasting in the form of ...
.
See also
*
References
External links
*
* {{IMDb title, 3282858
2015 films
2015 LGBT-related films
2015 romantic comedy-drama films
2010s buddy comedy-drama films
2010s English-language films
American buddy comedy-drama films
American LGBT-related films
American romantic comedy-drama films
Films scored by Deborah Lurie
Films set in New York City
Films shot in New York City
Gay-related films
LGBT-related buddy comedy-drama films
LGBT-related romantic comedy-drama films
2010s American films