The romantic comedy gets a shot in the arm with the new Justin Timberlake/Mila Kunis flick, Friends With Benefits.
FWB is a thoroughly modern romantic comedy, garnering an R rating, and starring two of Hollywood's biggest young stars. It's the story of Dylan (Timberlake) and Jamie (Kunis). They are young New Yorkers that become friends and try a novel idea of having a purely physical relationship without any of the messy emotional stuff that goes with it. If it sounds eerily similar to last Springs No Strings Attached with Natalie Portman, in it's premise, it is. But even if it sort of rips off the idea, there are major differences. The most obvious one is this movie is actually good.
FWB starts off as a typical borderline average movie with Dylan and Jamie rolling around in the hay endlessly. And FWB seems to be pigeonholing itself into the same old trap of being high on being R rated and not concerned with being good. Then it shift gears. FWB becomes a completely different movie. Introducing some new characters such as Dylan's sister Annie (Jenna Elfman) who is great. And Jamie's eccentric, lost in the 1970's goofy mom (Patricia Clarkson). Both are great in these very small roles.
FWB also takes a stab and actually succeeds in being relevant. Daring to take on it's basic premise, but also Dylan's aging father with dimensia, and his difficult family life. Both of our main characters are flawed, and the makers do their best to develop a nice story with characters that have something to say. FWB doesn't fall into the "isn't this funny" trap and fall in love with itself or it's racy premise.
Truth is, I wouldn't call FWB overly hilarious. There are some funny moments and some good laughs. But the strength of this movie is wonderful chemistry between Timblerlake and Kunis. He was come a long way in a short time, and I like her better every time out. Kunis was great in Black Swan, and I really loved her in The Book Of Eli last year. both supporting roles, but here she takes center stage. And a for a change there is a movie that gets smarter and more refined as it goes on.
Friends With Benefits. It's not perfect. But it's pretty good. And hopefully will breathe some life into a genre that desperately needs some.
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1 comment:
Friends with Benefit is a fun movie.You won’t feel bore in any part of the movie.Its sweet movie with very nicely written story and brilliant direction.I like the character cause they are perfect in their role.Go and watch this movie.
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