Friends with Beneifts (B or 3/4 stars)
'Friends with Benefits' (directed by Will Gluck, 'Easy A') tells a VERY familiar story; a story that was already spat out this year in No Strings Attached (with Ashton Kutcher & Natalie Portman). And the movie is as predictable as the day is long. Good thing it's also hysterical, poignant, well acted by a strong supporting cast, & featuring some amazing chemistry btwn. the leads, Justin Timberlake & Mila Kunis. Dylan (Timberlake) is the L.A.-based editor of a blog that gets 6 million hits per day. He is recruited by N.Y.-based GQ magazine by a young female headhunter, Jamie (Kunis), who flies him to the Big Apple & shows him around Manhattan (to assure he'll take the job). Properly seduced, he takes the job & moves into a sweet apartment.
Before long, he reconnects with Jamie, who then becomes his best friend. In almost no time, with sexual tension sizzling btwn. them, they make a drunken pact to be 'friends with benefits' - sex with no emotional baggage (from their previous bad relationships). For a good half hour of this film (or more), their idea works very well (as we see in some eye-popping sex scenes & no holds barred-sex talk). But of course, complications arise - especially after Dylan asks Jamie to come with him for a visit home to California to meet his sister (Jenna Elfman) & ailing father (Richard Jenkins). Dylan & Jamie have, of course, fallen for each other. But they're afraid of admitting their feelings because they believe it'll ruin what they already have (a-duhhh). Staple rom-com entanglements ensue.
You know, I don't currently have friend whom I would partake in sexual relations with just to satisfy physical needs. BUT, I've certainly thought about it with a few of 'em. I'm sure it happens often in the real world. And I'm sure it's happening now more than ever; given a slight sociological slide towards this generation 'not' looking for marriage or kids. Many people my age are not of the emotional frame of mind to commit to relationships (due to the economy, technology, or whatever). Perhaps this is why a smattering of films have come out in recent years about the whole 'no strings attached' thing. In any case, 'Friends with Benefits' offers a fun time at the movies. As mentioned, it's predictable. But most people who go to rom-coms (good or bad) aren't looking for surprises, are they?
I am very hard on romantic comedies because there's always something about them that I can pick apart. Comedies should be fleet & concise. Bridesmaids - which I LOVED - went on a bit too long. Horrible Bosses - which I reallllly liked - was as dumb as a brick. And now, 'Friends with Benefits' - which I also really dug - comes from the cliche/predictable mode. But all I care about is if I laugh and/or can root for the romantic couple to have a decent or flat-out good ending. And luckily, this one has those components in spades.
Though the plot is standard, the written dialogue is actually very smart, and both the Leads are able to spit-out said dialogue in perfect form. When portions of the script veer towards out-of-control, Justin Timberlake & Mila Kunis remain totally in control of their deliveries & reactions to provide wholly charismatic turns. I also commend them both for really going there with the nudity & sex talk. It's all amusingly awkward. And yet, when the script calls for them to bring it down a notch & convey the damaged characters that they actually are ... I bought that, too. JT is very likeable, here. Kunis is gorgeous, sassy, but also earnest. And they are aided by a fantastic supporting cast that includes Andy Samberg, Emma Stone (!), Jason Segel, Woody Harrelson (as Dylan's macho gay sports editor), Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's oversexed hippie mom, & Richard Jenkins as Dylan's afflicted father.
I wasn't so sure about this film from the onset; with JT & Kunis trading rapid fire dialogue that was almost too difficult to decipher, in spots. It was almost like trying to understand someone speaking in another language when you 'kinda' know said language (in other words, you didn't catch it ALL in one breath, but you got the point {haha}). There are also a ton of current topical references throughout the script that may leave anyone who isn't socially conscious in the dust. But in all seriousness, whether Dylan & Jamie trade one-liners on the street or are engaging in humorous sex talk, I was enjoying the dialogue immensely. And after the early manic energy passes, the film settled into quite the funny, and ultimately endearing experience. Yes, the ending reverts to the exact type of lame-o situations that Dylan & Jamie rag on romantic comedies about. But watching these two move from sexy flirts - to a real emotional battle - and back again - is well worth it.
Before long, he reconnects with Jamie, who then becomes his best friend. In almost no time, with sexual tension sizzling btwn. them, they make a drunken pact to be 'friends with benefits' - sex with no emotional baggage (from their previous bad relationships). For a good half hour of this film (or more), their idea works very well (as we see in some eye-popping sex scenes & no holds barred-sex talk). But of course, complications arise - especially after Dylan asks Jamie to come with him for a visit home to California to meet his sister (Jenna Elfman) & ailing father (Richard Jenkins). Dylan & Jamie have, of course, fallen for each other. But they're afraid of admitting their feelings because they believe it'll ruin what they already have (a-duhhh). Staple rom-com entanglements ensue.
You know, I don't currently have friend whom I would partake in sexual relations with just to satisfy physical needs. BUT, I've certainly thought about it with a few of 'em. I'm sure it happens often in the real world. And I'm sure it's happening now more than ever; given a slight sociological slide towards this generation 'not' looking for marriage or kids. Many people my age are not of the emotional frame of mind to commit to relationships (due to the economy, technology, or whatever). Perhaps this is why a smattering of films have come out in recent years about the whole 'no strings attached' thing. In any case, 'Friends with Benefits' offers a fun time at the movies. As mentioned, it's predictable. But most people who go to rom-coms (good or bad) aren't looking for surprises, are they?
I am very hard on romantic comedies because there's always something about them that I can pick apart. Comedies should be fleet & concise. Bridesmaids - which I LOVED - went on a bit too long. Horrible Bosses - which I reallllly liked - was as dumb as a brick. And now, 'Friends with Benefits' - which I also really dug - comes from the cliche/predictable mode. But all I care about is if I laugh and/or can root for the romantic couple to have a decent or flat-out good ending. And luckily, this one has those components in spades.
Though the plot is standard, the written dialogue is actually very smart, and both the Leads are able to spit-out said dialogue in perfect form. When portions of the script veer towards out-of-control, Justin Timberlake & Mila Kunis remain totally in control of their deliveries & reactions to provide wholly charismatic turns. I also commend them both for really going there with the nudity & sex talk. It's all amusingly awkward. And yet, when the script calls for them to bring it down a notch & convey the damaged characters that they actually are ... I bought that, too. JT is very likeable, here. Kunis is gorgeous, sassy, but also earnest. And they are aided by a fantastic supporting cast that includes Andy Samberg, Emma Stone (!), Jason Segel, Woody Harrelson (as Dylan's macho gay sports editor), Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's oversexed hippie mom, & Richard Jenkins as Dylan's afflicted father.
I wasn't so sure about this film from the onset; with JT & Kunis trading rapid fire dialogue that was almost too difficult to decipher, in spots. It was almost like trying to understand someone speaking in another language when you 'kinda' know said language (in other words, you didn't catch it ALL in one breath, but you got the point {haha}). There are also a ton of current topical references throughout the script that may leave anyone who isn't socially conscious in the dust. But in all seriousness, whether Dylan & Jamie trade one-liners on the street or are engaging in humorous sex talk, I was enjoying the dialogue immensely. And after the early manic energy passes, the film settled into quite the funny, and ultimately endearing experience. Yes, the ending reverts to the exact type of lame-o situations that Dylan & Jamie rag on romantic comedies about. But watching these two move from sexy flirts - to a real emotional battle - and back again - is well worth it.