Review of Friends with Benefits (2011) by Deanna M — 08 Jul 2012

After the disappointment of the truly woeful No Strings Attached, which squandered a promising premise with detestable characters and absolutely zero ambition to be anything other than a cookie-cutter romcom, I was certain that Friends With Benefits would be an improvement.

I mean how could it possibly be worse? Well, it's definitely better - likable characters, strong chemistry between the leads (Justin Timberlake & Mila Kunis) and a decent set of gags (and Woody Harrelson) see to that, but once again it tells the story of a couple who try in vain to have an uncomplicated sex-only relationship in an utterly predictable way, showing us very little that we haven't seen before, from the "meet cute" right through to an ending so horrifically cheesy it actually gives the one from No Strings Attached a run for its money, and I honestly didn't think that was even remotely possible! OK, I'm being a little harsh, there are some neat touches to be found here such as the opening duel break-ups and the poignant sub-plot regarding Timberlake's Alzheimer's-suffering father, but as a whole the film's failure to take any risks leaves a sour taste in the mouth.