Film Review: Friends with Benefits

Director: Will Gluck

Friends with Benefits was a film that I was told to watch because Mila Kunis spends a lot of time not wearing much, not a bad idea for a movie I guess. On actually watching this I was disappointed to find that many people had exaggerated this, although there is still ample opportunity for oggling, but was pleasantly surprised that it was funnier than expected. The main characters of Kunis and Timberlake talk openly about sex and sexual politics in the modern world whilst poking fun at the bog standard romcoms, all to good effect.

The plot revolves around Jamie (Kunis) headhunting Dylan (Timberlake) for a job which requires him to move from Los Angeles to New York where he knows no-one. They become friends and then decide having both been recently dumped that they should have no strings attached sex. Naturally you can guess what happens as the film progresses but that doesn't stop it from being a funny film along the way.

Jamie Relis (Mila Kunis) and Dylan Harper (Justin Timberlake)

The chemistry between Kunis and Timberlake is certainly evident during the sex scenes whilst the dialogue between the pair is quick witted and funny. This is the key in rom-coms such as this but is so often overlooked in the script writing and casting stage of making the movie. Woody Harrelson is an excellent addition as the no nonsense gay Sports editor who works with Dylan at his new job, he adds a different comedy dynamic to the movie at the right moments whilst the story surrounding Dylan's Dad does pull at the heart strings.

2.5/4 surprisingly funny and likeable take on the rom-com.