Friends with Benefits is the perfect example of how different two movies that share the exact same plot can be. The multi-talented Justin Timberlake and the sexy Mila Kunis play two busy 20 somethings who attempt the impossible: to have totally guilt free, relationship free sex without crushing their friendship. Good luck. In so many ways, this is the same film as No Strings Attached
, featuring two more unnaturally hot people in Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. What ultimately drove that film to being more average than it appeared on paper was a lack of chemistry by the two stars, and the inability to recognize just how cliche the whole thing was. Friends with Benefits doesn't have either of those problems, which is why it's vastly superior in almost every way and a nearly perfect date movie.Jamie(Kunis) is a smart, savvy New York City girl and a corporate head hunter. Dylan(Timberlake) is the editor for a popular website out in LA.When Jamie comes calling looking to convince Dylan to uproot his life and take on a major gig out on the east coast, the two become more than signing bonus buddies. She takes him on a whirlwind tour of the city, almost like something Woody Allen would've put together, only with a modern, youthful edge. The two decide to quit wasting time looking for the perfect relationship like they've been taught to look for in the movies("Shut up, Katherine Heigl, you liar"!) and just have fun now. It's a scenario that can never possibly succeed, nor do we expect it to. The cool thing is that we aren't played like morons who just stumbled into their first rom-com.
What becomes immediately apparent about this film in comparison to No Strings Attached is that the dialogue is fast. Really fast, and very witty. Kunis and Timberlake bounce snappy chatter off one another like seasoned pros. Both have impeccable comedic timing, and their chemistry on screen pops like the screwball comedies of old. They have a spark that grabs your attention almost immediately, and watching them navigate their doomed pursuit is a riot. Um, watching Mila Kunis's legs isn't such a bad thing, either. I feel for you, McCauley. I hope they're still keeping you away from sharp objects. In all seriousness, director Will Gluck(Easy A
) has made me look at two actresses in completely new ways. Emma Stone was a revelation last year in Easy A, and now Mila Kunis has taken her sitcom experience and translated it to the big screen in a major way. She's absolutely radiant here, not just physically, but her presence matches that of her popular co-star. 
The most interesting thing about it is that you almost wish they would succeed. That these two people who are smart, gorgeous, and so completely perfect for one another would find a way to make it last. If that means throwing out a traditional relationship and just being bed buddies, along as they remain friends you want that to be the case. In fact, for awhile I was almost convinced it would happen, which says a lot to this veteran of the romantic comedy wars. But as anyone who has seen there share of these types of films, you know at some point it's going to start becoming formulaic. To Gluck's credit, he infuses the story with just enough self awareness and rebellion that you're pleased to see it happen. There are only a few minor speed bumps, one which I think winds up bolstering the film's most poignant moment. Dylan and Jamie fly back to LA to meet his sister(Jenna Elfman) and his father(the great Richard Jenkins) who is suffering from Alzheimer's. What had been a bouncy, quippy film up to that point takes a dark and awkward turn for awhile, as Dylan deals head on with his father's illness. But those moments pay off later on in a beautiful admission given by Jenkins that is made more powerful by his condition. Richard Jenkins could make reading out of the phone book riveting. A pair of Easy A vets don't get a lot to work with. Patricia Clarkson makes the best of a go nowhere subplot as Jamie's flighty mother. Emma Stone has a brief cameo as Dylan's John Mayer obsessed ex.
For Will Gluck, his career appears to be skyrocketing. Easy A and now this have proven he has a gifted hand for taking reliable, familiar genres and spinning them in brand new ways. There's no need to fear this date night film, fellas.
