In Canadian director Ivan Reitman’s latest romantic comedy, No Strings Attached, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman play Adam and Emma, two young and naive professionals who try having a casual relationship.
All relationships have rules, both explicit and unspoken, and friends with benefits are no exception. Adam’s neighbour reinforces this in passing, knowing very well that it’s foolish of Adam to think his friendship with childhood crush Emma is any different. Even Pinnocchio knows that there are always strings, but these two stubborn lovers would rather explore the benefits of their friendship. As if their fate wasn’t predictable from the trailer, Emma and Adam quickly realize that having “no strings attached” is unachievable.
Furthermore, its use of symbolic moments and holidays support critics’ motives for passing it off as another formulaic chick flick. Must there always be a wedding or Valentine’s Day to motivate the characters to make a move or realize they’ve made a mistake? Then there’s the Hugh Hefner like age gap between Adam’s famous father and his girlfriend, as well as the romance between Adam’s roommate and Emma’s best friend. Kudos to them for being entertaining while doing what several supporting actors have done before them.
Nevertheless, there are several witty lines, including a metaphor about an 8-track. Among its humorous scenes are one in which Adam makes Emma a mix CD and lists a number of song titles that can be construed to have a subtext about menstruating. Like many modern movies, there is also Adam’s debate with his friends about the best way to respond to a late night text. As for what first resembled Britney Spears’ ‘Baby One More Time’ music video’, Reitman’s parody of Glee was clever and amusing. Finally, while it may be surprising that a Jewish widowed mother would date a boorish man nicknamed Bones, Reitman subtly references his and Portman’s Jewish heritage a few times throughout.
Most romantic comedies leave room for criticism, but this one is definitely worth renting. If its plot is a topic of interest, then stay tuned for the upcoming summer blockbuster, Friends with Benefits, starring Justin Timberlake. I wonder if there will be any references in it to Nsync’s ‘No Strings Attached’ album.
Update: Re-watched the film, this time recognizing New Girl actor Jake Johnson who plays Adam’s roommate! [January 2013]
