Friends With Benefits (2011) review

(7/10)

Why can't there be friends and relationships like this anymore? Though it adds nothing much new to the same rom-com formula, it's still a pleasure to watch.

PLOT:Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is from L. A. and has just been through a rough break-up that leaves him emotionally damaged. Jamie (Mila Kunis) is from New York and has also just been through a break-up and has given up on relationships and the whole deal. However, when these two meet due to Dylan moving jobs from his popular blog page to a spot in G.Q., they instantly click. They only become friends and agree to stay that as well, until they come up with this crazy idea to have sex with each other with no emotional impact whatsoever. Needless to say, things don't work out well for our two "friends with benefits". It's a simple plot executed actually pretty well.


ACTING:The performances in here were pretty standard aside from our two leads: Justin Timberlake as Dylan and Mila Kunis as Jamie. The chemistry these two develop throughout the movie is almost magical. They truly keep the movie going with each line and joke. The other ones I'd count as shiners would be Patrica Clarkson as Lorna, Jenna Elfman as Annie, and Woody Harrelson as Tommy with an honorable mention to Shaun White as himself.
SCORE:The soundtrack is mainly made up of a few well-placed pop and rock songs, such as "Closing Time", "Pumped Up Kicks", "Magic Carpet Ride", "Hey Soul Sister", and many others. The soundtrack was actually pretty well put together in my opinion.


OTHER CONTENT:This movie really adds nothing new to the worn-out, rom-com idea of two friends agreeing to have sex but wanting to stay friends (When Harry Met Sally, No Strings Attached), but this one is actually entertaining and funny. The script is pretty cleverly written and the chemistry between the two leads is what keeps the movie moving in full speed toward the good end of the rating meter. This is just one of those movies that is not new and nothing special, but is actually fun and entertaining to watch. It's just an ordinary movie.
OVERALL,a good comedy with a simple plot, standard acting aside from the leads, a well put-together soundtrack, a cleverly-written script, and great chemistry between the two leads that nearly carries the movie on its own, but it's really nothing new and is just an ordinary movie.