Review: Friends With Benefits

Director: Will Gluck

Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman, Patricia Clarkson Richard Jenkins.

Certification: 12A

Synopsis: When executive recruiter Jamie (Kunis) uses her headhunting skills to lure hot-shot LA art director Dylan (Timberlake) to New York, they quickly realise they are kindred spirits. They share plenty of platonic laughs and exchange stories of their failed relationships, and soon hit upon the idea that maybe – just maybe – two friends can have a no strings physical relationship without it getting messy.

Okay, so you’ve seen the trailer, you know the premise and unless you’re a rom-com virgin it’s not hard to see how this one’s going to pan out… is it? FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS is an interesting property and one that Sony Pictures is clearly pleased with; the film has received some decent press and sustained a long-term marketing campaign, bringing the film to the forefront of our public consciousness for the last two months. So is it any good?  Though not usually one for gushy love stories, this movie did just enough differently to leave THN pleasantly surprised and sufficiently entertained.

The odd thing about FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS is that throughout it comments on the trite, sappy and plain ridiculousness of the rom-com genre and scenario, whilst adhering to both. However the on-screen ‘buddy’ chemistry of Timberlake and Kunis, together with great  natural comic scripting really elevates the film beyond average and into the ‘I know I shouldn’t like it but I do’ category. The slow build of the two leads’ relationship, some brilliant turns by peripheral characters (stand up Woody Harrelson) the various familial back story and their influences make for characters whose relationship development actually makes sense and you can totally believe that two friends could accidently start a relationship and, yes,  by the end of the film fall in love. You might think that a movie that dissects its genre and yet conforms to it might feel a little hypocritical but this is not the case, it’s merely a transparent pantomime that throws you off course because you’re expecting it to be different.

Now for the SEX! This is by no means a graphic film, and despite there being a lot of under the covers scenes, they are purely comical (all bar the final LOVE scene), in fact THN has never quite seen sex like this! It’s casual to the extreme, with both parties dictating to one another to ensure they get what they need and dispelling many of the usual niceties, pleasantries, and the taboos of getting jiggy. Whilst Timberlake and Kunis’ banter and bonking carry the film, an excellent supporting cast add much comedy to the proceedings and respite to the developing relationship. As already mentioned, Woody Harrelson is fantastic as Timberlake’s raving homosexual colleague and confidant. Harrelson’s sole purpose in the film is to pump out a stream of overt profanities that are so crude, ridiculous, and outrageous without being offensive or over-the-top and always leaves you wanting more!  Nearly as good is Kunis’ mother played by Patricia Clarkson (EASY A), a free-love hippy whose worldly wisdom is funny if not a little clichéd at times.

What really works with FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS is the lead characters’ denial of their feelings for each other, and the film’s double bluff that it’s not a ‘conventional’ rom-com. Despite being boxed round the face with deus ex machinas of the genre, you’re still joyously surprised to get your fairytale ending. The film has a lot of heart too, Timberlake’s relationship and circumstance with his father played by Richard Jennings (Hall Pass/Burn After Reading) presents a painful and upsetting reality that gives the film a bit more depth  and provide a ‘no regrets’ motivation for Timberlake’s character. FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS is a real guilty pleasure and does just enough differently to fresh the genre. Timberlake and Kunis work brilliantly together and though we are increasingly pained to admit it Timberlake himself works very well cast in these types of roles, we are interested to see how his  career develops (especially in upcoming Sci-Fi flick IN TIME due for release in November).