“Friends with Benefits” is a predictable romantic comedy that offers little in the way of surprises. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Stars Justin Timberlake as Dylan and Mila Kunis as Jamie are likeable and have enough chemistry to keep you interested in their inevitable paring. We’re rooting for them to end up together, which is a good thing. Timberlake is charming and funny and Kunis is mischievous and sexy. And their dialogue is often smart and funny. Especially amusing is the contrasts between the East and West Coasts. And the supporting cast is terrific with Patricia Clarkson as Jamie’s Mom who’s also looking for romance and Richard Jenkins as Dylan’s Alzheimer’s afflicted father. They do a lot with minimal screen time. Woody Harrelson is the macho gay GQ sports editor with his own mode of transportation to and from work. There are also interesting cameos from Emma Stone and Jason Segel.
Dylan (Timberlake) is a Los Angeles-based editor of a blog that gets 6 million readers per day. Headhunter Jamie (Kunis) recruits him for a top job at New York-based GQ magazine and flies him to the East Coast for an interview and to show him around the city. Seduced by New York and the job, Dylan relocates. Then he re-connects with Jamie, who becomes first his best friend and, later, his partner in emotion-free sex. The works for a while until, of course, complications ensue. Both are afraid of admitting their feelings because they think it will ruin their friendship. Director Will Gluck, who also directed Easy A, has an ability to make a rather over-used formula seem fresh and original. “Friends with Benefits” maybe frothy and light, but it’s also easy to like. 7/23/11
1 comment:
Mila Kunis is so cute in this film, she alone is worth the price of admission. Very funny and the chemistry between Timberlake and Kunis is great!!
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