Friends With Benefits (2011):

Starring:

Justin Timberlake - Dylan Harper

Mila Kunis - Jamie Rellis

Patricia Clarkson - Lorna Rellis

Jenna Elfman - Annie Harper

Bryan Greenberg - Parker

Richard Jenkins - Mr. Harper

Woody Harrelson - Tommy Bollinger

Nolan Gould - Sam Harper

Shaun White - Himself

Director:

Will Gluck (Easy A, Fired Up!)

Rotten Tomatoes: 71%

Flixster: 66%

Synopsis:

Dylan and Jamie think it's going to be easy to add the simple act of sex to their friendship, despite what Hollywood romantic comedies would have them believe. They soon discover, however, that getting physical really does always lead to complications.

Review:

Way back when, when I first saw a trailer for this movie, I immediately said "oh so it's pretty much just No Strings Attached". Two people with commitment issues who make a pact to only bang, nothing more & then they end up falling in love. It was very similar but at the same time different. I did like this one more than NSA but not by much. Justin Timberlake > Ashton Kutcher. JT is delightful, funny, handsome & just always a pleasure to watch. Natalia Portman = Mila Kunis. Maybe not in acting ability, because clearly Portman is way better at dramatic & serious acting. Both of them however do bring solid comedic performances to both films. They are both extremely beautiful, gorgeous women, there is definitely WAY more nudity in FWB than in NSA. I mean for the first 20 minutes that JT & Mila are hooking up they are pretty much fully naked in bed knocking boots as the kids say. Sure you don't get to see full on boobs, you get your fair share of side boobs & mushed up against JT boobs which is nice. Both movies have the added dramatic aspect of hidden family tragedy or a event in their past that they are hiding. This one has Richard Jenkins playing JT's dad as a once praised & highly respected journalist now suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's disease. Richard Jenkins, as I may have said in previous reviews is underrated in every aspect of his acting ability. Every role he is in he plays to perfection no matter if it's John C. Reilly's dad in Step Brothers or the lonely man looking to help out illegal immigrants in "The Visitors" he never misses a beat no matter what. Jenna Elfman has become a total M.I.L.F. HOLY CRAP! Just so incredibly hot! Nolan Gould of Modern Family fame, kids got some talent & he's only 13, crazy. Kids got tons of talent. Then you have Woody Harrelson, a man known for many roles, but also known for playing all of them super gay, especially when the script doesn't call for it. Oddly enough, this one does call for it. But you know, if he is gay or if he's not, this was so uncomfortably, over the top, flaming flamboyant performances of his entire career. The script was full of the new wave cliches of re-introducing a "classic song" back to a new generation, millions of pop culture references from the past & continuing running the same jokes into the ground throughout the entire film. Sure it was funny, but once you've heard the same joke twice, the third & forth & fifth & sixth times.... not as funny. Cameo appearances from Andy Samberg & Emma Stone. Also, holy shit what a hilarious performance by professional snow boarder Shaun White playing himself. Legit, no joke, he was fucking killer. Never would have imagined that ginger homeless haired dude would be so hilarious.

72%

Lead Actors: 13/15

Supporting Cast: 13/15

Plot: 6/10

Compared To The Genre: 5/10

Cinematography: 13/20

Intrigue: 13/20

                                                       Extra: 9/10