Friends with Benefits

Friends with Benefits

The likeable leads' chemistry make a formulaic rom com work

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Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2011

As the title indicates, this is about a commitment-averse couple of best friends who agree to a relationship more commonly referred to with a term that ends in “-buddy.” Golly, you think they’ll fall in love before the end credits? It’s formulaic romantic comedy to a fault, but likeable leads Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis generate enough real chemistry to make it work. The dialogue is naughty without being lewd, as are the sex scenes, it makes fun of its own genre, and the filmmakers had the good sense to include Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins and Woody Harrelson in the supporting cast.