FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Friends with Benefits

After the Sex-Comedy debacle that is known as No Strings Attached, releasing a Film about similar subject matter might seem like a bit of a risk, especially seeing how that one was panned critically. Studio Executives over at Sony Screen Gems who invested in Friends with Benefits need not fear though as they have on their hands what appears to be a Box Office smash.

What makes Friends with Benefits so enjoyable is not only its charming Cast - yes, that includes you too Justin Timberlake  - but also that its Script and directing by Will Gluck (Easy A) equally are fantastic.  Gluck has a knack at bringing to life smart and vulnerable Heroines and Mila Kunis as tough-shelled Job Recruiter Jamie from New York City, is pitch-perfect here.  This is not to say that her counterpart Timberlake as wholesome newly-hired GQ Magazine Art Director Dylan, isn't also wonderful too as we have some fun watching him and Jamie struggle to keeping emotions separate from their purely sexual friendship.  What ensues here is the natural and completely believable progression of Friends into Lovers and  soon we find ourselves rooting for Jamie and Dylan and become involved in their own "damaged" lives.  Their chemistry together is sexy and fun even though perhaps they are too aware of their becoming a cliché.

Gluck once again brings out his Power-Muse Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's Mother Lorna, delivering some of the Film's brighter moments and Woody Harrelson as a sex-obsessed Gay Sports Editor at GQ absolutely steals the Show with overt gusto.  Jenna Elfman makes a welcome return as Dylan's Sister Annie, while the amazing Richard Jenkins as Dylan's aging and senile Father, gives the Story some true heart and soul.  

EASY A REVIEW

Easy A

Young girls definitely need more role models like Emma Stone. Will Gluck's Easy A tells the story of Olive (Stone), a bright high school student who one day decides to tell a little white lie to her BFF Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka) that she lost her virginity. The rumours then spread like wildfire and before she knows it, she's finds herself deeply immersed in the game, yet reaping the benefits in popularity by capitalizing off it however she can. Buzz for the film has been positive after receiving a premiere at TIFF 2010.

Before long, the rumours then spiral out of control as she is forced to embrace her parallels proudly to that of Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, as the "School Slut". Olive faces the wrath of negative publicity and finds that she is losing her friends and the respect of her peers. Never though does she lose her own self-respect - she is grounded. We are left to wonder whether or not Olivia will be able to overcome this and redeem her name?

Bert V. Royal does a fantastic job with this film's John Hughes-inspired screenplay, giving Stone lots of meaty material to work with and absolutely does she rise to the challenge. This performance places her front and center where she belongs as one of her generation's best actresses. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are delightfully funny as Dill and Rosemary, Olive's parents who never lose sight of their trust in her. Gossip Girl's Penn Badgely is nothing short of adorable as a boy of interest only late in the story. And it doesn't hurt that the music is lots of fun here too, with us getting the treat of seeing Stone perform Knock on Wood by Amii Stewart later on.