Something is changing in the world of rom-coms. Not much, but at least someone is attempting to develop slightly different stories. It already happened with Love & Other Drugs, where careless and mind-free sex was not seen as a crime against ethics, and now in Ivan Reitman latest there are no concerns in showing friends with benefit, lot of cursing, and more sex scenes than in any other recent romantic comedies. Unfortunately the ideas tackled in this movie are not super original or unique, and the characters’ depth is rather shallow, but at least there is much less bull**** than in many other schmaltzy and gooey flicks about boys&girls&love&marriage. The inevitable happy ending is not much of a setback either, given that the movie ends where lots of others begin, and at least – spoiler – there is no wedding.
The simple plot – Adam and Emma decide to become sex-friends who will eventually realize they can’t keep on going like that – is admirably well managed by the veteran director, and the characters who surround the two main protagonists help to deliver punch lines and witty opinions at the right time making the pace going.
I know. It’s weird to write decent comments of a movie that stars Ashton Kutcher, but the young actor does a good job in keeping his character under control without going out of bound. Natalie Portman also shows great easiness in playing a not-so-ordinary role, but compared to more challenging movies she starred in, this was a piece of cake.
Enjoyable film, more daring than the average, not as funny as Dude Where’s My Car?, but most definitely not as dull, predictable and insignificant as Valentine’s Day.
