Friends With Benefits

Last night we went to a pre screening for Friends With Benefits. I have to say I had very low expectations going in. I, along with plenty of other people, assumed it would be the same movie as the Ashton Kutcher/Natalie Portman romantic comedy No Strings Attached, which was even originally titled Friends With Benefits. But, I love romantic comedies so I was willing to give this one a shot.

Friends With Benefits is the story of Dylan Harper (Justin Timberlake) a hot shot art director for an independent website who travels to NYC where he is being headhunted for the position of Art Director at GQ. Jamie (Mila Kunis) is the headhunter assigned to woo him into accepting the position. Dylan and Jamie have both recently gone through ridiculous break ups, we are treated to cameos by Emma Stone and Andy Samberg as their respective exes, and have each sworn to remain emotionally unattached, ala George Clooney. After becoming good friends the two decide to pursue a physical relationship.

Predictably both characters are damaged; Jamie has daddy issues and Dylan's father (Richard Jenkins) is suffering from Alzheimer's. While Jamie's issues are fairly cliche and not really developed within the story, the inclusion of Dylan's father adds a bittersweet aspect to the film which  helped to ground it in reality just a bit more than your typical romantic comedy. Mr. Harper's condition is not used for comedic relief and the difficulties with a slowly deteriorating memory are showcased in a very relatable manner. Jamie's issues stem from a flighty mom (Patricia Clarkson) who doesn't remember who Jamie's father is. Jamie is your stereotypical quirky emotionally damaged pixie who will break into a building to watch the stars from the rooftop. We've all seen this character before in Garden State and 100 Days of Summer.

This film is very self aware and witty. Much of Jamie and Dylan's interactions involve discussing how life isn't what romantic comedies set you up to think it will be like. There is even a movie within the movie, starring Jason Segel and Rashida Jones, showcasing every rom-com cliche you can imagine. This is one of those movies that assumes the viewer is fairly well versed on current pop culture with constant references to music, movies and art that are very "of the moment". The dialogue felt raw enough to be believable without falling into the raunchy for the sake of being raunchy hole.

If you like watching very attractive people in sex scenes than this is the film for you. Seriously, so many sex scenes between Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. I will not be rewatching this movie with my mom any time soon. I don't recall there being any real nudity, just plenty of implied nudity and with two stars this attractive who minds? Plus, you get to see Justin Timberlake's "O" face, again.

Now, if I had to choose between Friends With Benefits and No Strings Attached I would probably go with Friends With Benefits but that's just because it is more recent in my memory. In reality I don't have to choose, I would recommend both! Friends With Benefits is a solid romantic comedy that is worth the price of a ticket at the theater.