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Friends With Benefits

Shale: ...is a Chamber Royal.; Join date : 2010-09-27
Location : Miami Beach
Posts : 9699
Rep : 219

Post n°1

Friends With Benefits

by Shale Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:27 pm

Friends With Benefits
Movie Blurb by Shale
July 23, 2011

Another formulaic romantic comedy! In fact, this romcom had an absurd romcom starring Jason Segel playing in the background to show the fantasy mindset of one of the characters.

But, to the real story. We open with Dylan (Justin Timberlake) breaking up with his girlfriend, juxtaposed with Jamie (Mila Kunis) breaking up with her boyfriend.

Dylan, is doing his very popular Website from LA and being recruited for a job at GQ magazine in NYC. Jamie is the headhunter who has invested in him to take the job. She meets him at the airport, they spend some time together and well, you already know where this has to go.

Jamie Shows Dylan New York
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Both Dylan and Jamie are giving up on relationships so they hit it off as business acquaintances and decide to just have sex with each other without a relationship, you know, friends with benefits.

Dylan & Jamie 'Aha' Moment
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Gotta say the bedroom scene with Jamie and Dylan was quite refreshing and tho there was no actual risqué nudity (Well, Justin Timberlake does have a cute butt) what was implied was refreshingly real for this R-rated romcom. Lots of under cover oral, lots of playfulness and even a comic piss break. However, as I recall young person sex, there was not that much talking once we were in bed - we just did it - with just minimal instruction from a partner.

Dylan's Robe Going 'Oops'
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Actually, I found myself laughing quite a bit in this movie - it was fast paced and the lines were quick and funny. Jamie's flaky mother Lorna (Patricia Clarkson) shows up in her apartment at what would be an awkward moment except she is a product of the sexual revolution and it is all old hat for her. (She even mentioned that friends with benefits is a 70s concept. Yep, been there done that.)

As Dylan and Jamie break their initial contract to not have a relationship, they travel to LA to meet his family and Jamie gets even more understanding of the guy she's been shagging. Dylan's sister is caring for their father (Richard Jenkins) who has Alzheimer's and there are some poignant scenes of reality that don't seem to fit in a romcom but it fleshes it out some more of Dylan's family history.

Dylan's Dad Doesn't Like Wearing Pants
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Even tho the formula was the same as every other romcom, this one seemed funnier than most. Maybe the NYC setting helped (with a couple of flash mob scenes) Supporting cast member Woody Harrelson as a gay sports editor on the magazine gave more levity.

JWF

JWF: …is an Up 'N Comer.; Join date : 2010-03-02
Posts : 203
Rep : 4

Post n°2

Re: Friends With Benefits

by JWF Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:48 pm

Supposedly, it follows a similar plot as "No Strings's Attached" The Good news is this: Ashton Kutcher isn't in it. The bad news, there isn't much other good news to report

IMO...the best parts of the film is the opening scene, where Timberlake and Kunis dump their latest partners, before they meet. The dancing numbers in Times Square and Grand Central Station are okay for a musical, but this is a romantic comedy.

There is occasional chemistry between both, mainly when they are in bed. But they are not ready to be big-time screen personality's (IMO)

One of the culprits of the film is the script. It's just not as funny as it tries to be(sometimes even silly). Their timing of the dialogue doesn't always flow naturally.

Too bad! The film is from the director of "Easy A". On of my favorite films of last year. I guess Emmy Stone did the director a favor by briefly appearing. Shawn White should have remained on his snow-board.

One reason I wanted to see this film was because of Patricia Clarkson and Richard Jenkins....two of the best supporting actors in Hollywood. Unfortunately, the script drags them down, and interferes with what ever flow the film had.

C (2 stars)

Jack

CeCe