Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 110 minutes
Release Date:
10 February 2011
No Strings Attached is the latest rom com from Ashton Kutcher. He seems to have taken over the mantle from English naughty boy Hugh Grant as the comical but romantic male lead. Adam (Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) have been bumping into each other over the years ever since they first met at school camp before eventually hooking up. Emma is keen to keep the relationship purely physical and is not interested in any emotional attachments for fear of getting hurt. But its that age old question can they really keep it platonic with no strings attached, a bit reminiscent of When Sally met Harry except its been updated to reflect 2011 social mores. Instead of exploring the notion of can men and women be just friends it looks at the current practice of having “friends with benefits” and the implications of this phenomenon. Interestingly the original title was going to be “Friends with Benefits” but a movie starring Justin Timberlake had that working title.
Directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Twins) and written by Elizabeth Meriwether and Michael Samonek, the story though predictable has some originally funny moments. However some of the crude content lowers the tone of the film and it becomes an average piece. Cary Elwes (Robin Hood: Men in Tights) stars as Emma’s potential love interest, Dr Metzner, but is barely recognizable. Natalie Portman (Black Swan, The Closer) just doesn’t suit the rom-com genre even though the role is much straighter playing than Kutcher’s she looks uncomfortable and not believable. They make an odd pairing as Portman pales in comparison to Kutcher’s stature. Kutcher, however, looks quite comfortable as the rom-com leading man after The Killers, What Happens in Vegas and Just Married.
Other performances are solid particularly from Greta Gerwig (Greenberg) as Portman’s friend Patrice and Lake Bell (It’s Complicated) as Kutcher’s work colleague. There is also a cameo appearance by Kevin Kline as Kutcher’s pot smoking father who is dating his 23 year old ex-girlfriend Vanessa (Ophelia Lovibond). Average movie, few laughs and good to check out Kutcher’s bod.
2.5/5 stars
More News
