''Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List'' is a 2015 American romantic

comedy-drama Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, il ...

film written by Amy Andelson and Emily Meyer, and directed by Kristin Hanggi. 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 collaborat ...

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 Victoria Justice (born February 19, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She rose to fame on Nickelodeon, playing Lola Martinez on the comedy drama series '' Zoey 101'' (2005–2008) and Tori Vega on the sitcom '' Victorious'' (2010–20 ...

, 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 in the television series ''Shadowhunters'' (2016–2019). Early life Daddario was born and raised in New York City, the son of ...

. 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.

Plot

Naomi and Ely have been best friends and neighbors in the same apartment building in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

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 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

as Naomi Mills * Pierson Fodé as Ely Diamond *

as Gabriel * Ryan Ward as Bruce II * Griffin Newman as Bruce I * Monique Coleman 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 (American TV series), Skins''. Life and career Flaherty started to pursue acting at age 11. When he turned 13, ...

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 ( ) is an American actor and musician. Early life Olamide Aladejobi Patrick Alexander Faison was born in New York City. Career Faison has worked in television, film and commercials - portraying th ...

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, television shows and films Digital distribution, digitally on request. These multimedia are accessed without a traditional video playback device and a typica ...

Post-release

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."

References

External links