My friend Holly has a DC Film Society membership so she often receives passes to movies before they open locally. Tonight, as her guest, I was treated to a sneak peak of “Friends With Benefits,” the movie starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis that — based on the previews — you’re pretty sure is a remake of something you saw last year.
And that’s where you’ll be pleasantly surprised: although this movie does honor the time-tested formula of a romantic comedy, it manages to weave in so many laugh-out-loud funny lines and fresh details that you don’t even care. It’s just a straight-up great time, and this is coming from a girl who is no great fan of romantic comedies.
JT and Mila have believable chemistry and play off each other solidly, but the real gems in this movie are the quirky side characters — including Woody Harrelson as a rather masculine gay sports writer for GQ, and Patricia Clarkson as Mila’s flaky, hippy mom — who get to deliver some of the funniest stand-alone lines.
Now I’m not saying this would be my top pick for men heading out to the movies, but — if they were dragged by girlfriends who won the weekend coin toss — I am confident they would surprise themselves by actually busting a gut at times. (And it doesn’t hurt that Kunis spends a fair amount of time rolling around in her teeny tiny underwear.)
You know who SHOULDN’T see this movie? Anyone who thinks that “friends with benefits” actually means “pals with healthcare plans.” Because this is a movie centered around sex and its ability to complicate even the simplest of relationships. So if you’re not hip enough to know what “friends with benefits” actually means, chances are, you might find this movie a bit too racy for your taste.
Unless you’re this badass couple, in which case: AWESOME. You’re retired and you’ve won contest sponsored by KY Jelly. Somehow, I don’t think they’d be flustered.
So, overall, how to summarize this flick in a way that is movie-poster quotable?
Friends With Benefits: Almost as fun as an old-fashioned romp in the sack.
pithypants 
Ha! My parents are BAD-ASS!!!
From the winners of the K-Y contest – thank you for the mention and the compliment!
BTW — the photo in the ad turned out great. You give Hugh Hefner a run for his money in those robes! 🙂
I hope the movie is as delightful as the review…;)
Okay, so it’s not about pals with health insurance, but what about buddies with access to a 401K?
I could go for access to someone’s 401k right about now…