4 stars (out of 5)
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenberg, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson
Rating: (R16)
Hollywood business practices are strange. Two films were in development, both called Friends With Benefits, and the one that was further along got to keep that title. The other one became No Strings Attached, which then came out before Friends With Benefits (Rialto and Hoyts), which was then kept back because it was so like No Strings Attached.
I cannot say which of the two is better because I have only seen this one but if it is No Strings Attached then it must be an awesome film, as Friends With Benefits is easily the best romantic comedy I have seen all year.
Of course that sets the bar low.
Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is the art director of a cool website in Los Angeles, who is head-hunted by recruitment agent Jamie (Mila Kunis) to work for GQ magazine in New York. They click and Jamie takes it upon herself to be his introduction to New York City.
One night while hanging out together, they decide what would totally make their friendship perfect would be to have sex together without the weirdness of dating. What follows is great sex, because they both feel free to be honest about what they do and do not like. Of course things can not stay that way, as emotions and outside pressures start to intrude.
Best thing: It is nice to see some actual chemistry between the two leads for a change.
Worst thing: After mocking romantic movies, it finally decides that it is one and has them break up just so they can make up in a romantic way and become a real couple.
See it with: Someone you know well, not someone you have just started dating, unless you want to have that conversation.
- Christine Powley
