Today’s quick review: Friends with Benefits. Tired of complicated relationships, Dylan (Justin Timberlake), the art editor for GQ, and Jamie (Mila Kunis), the headhunter who recruited him, decide to spice up their friendship with casual sex. At first the arrangement works perfectly. But as the two grow even more intimate with each other, they realize that they might be more than just friends after all.
Friends with Benefits is a romantic comedy about two friends who try to have a relationship with none of the usual baggage. Friends with Benefits is a self-aware movie that takes shots at the conventions of the romantic comedy genre. Determined not to make the mistakes that led to their previous failed relationships, Dylan and Jamie try to keep their boundaries even as they become more and more involved in each other’s lives.
The bedrock of Friends with Benefits is the easy chemistry between Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. Dylan and Kate are sarcastic, witty, and prone to cynicism, but they are also loyal friends who are a perfect match for one another. Seeing them help each other through the minor crises of their lives is always a treat. The movie also uses its supporting cast to good effect, supplementing its leads with a few well-chosen friends and family.
Friends with Benefits won’t appeal to everyone. The ironic detachment of Dylan and Jamie will be refreshing to some viewers and abrasive to others. The sexual content restricts the movie to certain audiences and makes it raunchier than the average romantic comedy. And while the plot is enjoyable enough, it hits many of the beats it purports to make fun of, making it a lukewarm criticism of Hollywood romance.
Friends with Benefits is a fine pick when you are in the mood for something light, steamy, and frequently funny. While it is ultimately not as cynical as it pretends to be, Friends with Benefits makes good on its premise with a pair of charismatic leads and a polished script. Steer clear if you are looking for either a sharper subversion of the genre or a more wholesome, traditional romance.
For another self-aware romantic comedy that examines the life cycle of relationships, try 500 Days of Summer. For a more earnest and emotionally satisfying breakdown of platonic, physical, and romantic love, try Love Actually. For a romantic comedy with a similar premise, try No Strings Attached.
[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1632708/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for likable leads and a basic but enjoyable plot.