Okay so the premise of Friends With Benefits isn't something new, Natalie Portman's No Strings Attached already taking the idea of friends having a non emotional sexual relationship, but the question you have to ask yourself, who's the better pairing, Portman and Kutcher or Kunis and Timberlake?
Despite the main idea being identical to No Strings Attached, FWB is very much its own movie, in the sense that it doesn't take itself too seriously and has a wonderful pairing in the form of Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis in the lead roles as Dylan and Jamie respectively.
Dylan and Jamie are very similar, in the fact that they have both just been dumped by their partners in relationships that they both didn't particularly need. Moving on with their lives they are very much in love with their work.
Dylan is a high flying internet genius in Los Angeles who is head-hunted for a new job at GQ magazine in New York, and Jamie is the executive recruiter who is tasked with convincing Dylan that New York is the next step in his working life. With the persuasion tactics of Jamie, he soon takes the job and the pair strike an instant connection, leading to them become great friends.
In the weeks to come they spend lunchtimes together, enjoy watching movies and having a general chat about their lives, how much relationships suck and how much they both miss sex. Then they both have a great idea to have sex with each other with strictly no emotions whatsoever, simple right?
You would think so, but eventually this 'arrangement' has to end and the two decide that trying out for other relationships would be for the best. When that idea falls on its head it becomes apparent that there could be a special spark between Dylan and Jamie, but with denial in their heads could this be a lost chance at happiness for the pair?
Not particularly tackling the most common relationship subject is what actually makes Friends With Benefits a thoroughly enjoyable ride, that and the fantastic chemistry between Kunis and Timberlake. Tackling some very raunchy scenes must have been very difficult but the two stars of the show that they can do it with ease and slot into their roles with such ease.
Providing a whole lot of laughs, the main twosome enjoy their pair-up and are helped along the way with a great performance from Woody Harrelson playing Dylan's gay workmate. Essentially if you're a fan of rom-coms and don't mind a bit of raunchiness thrown in then you are in safe hands with Friends With Benefits.
Film rating (out of 5 stars): 3
The lowdown: Kunis and Timberlake work off each other with perfection and with the help of Harrelson provide plenty of laughs. A good solid rom-com with heart. Expect more of Kunis and Timberlake in lead roles.
No comments:
Post a Comment