No Strings Attached [2011]

Given my low expectations for any movie starring Ashton Kutcher these days (who obviously cannot say no to a cheese plate), I was pleasantly surprised by “No Strings Attached”.  Natalie Portman (who gave the performance of her career in “Black Swan”) and Kutcher managed to create comedy through the awkwardly realistic chemistry between their characters Emma and Adam. The two first met some 15 years ago at a summer camp, when Adam tried to mope about his parent’s divorce to Emma in hope for a sympathy hook up. When he gently asks to “finger her”, you know you’re in for an “adult only” film (not that I’m complaining). Eventually, we move to the present, where Emma is a successful doctor who works eighty hours a week and is not looking for a relationship, while Adam is an aspired writer working at a “High School Musical-ish” televison show. When the two meet again, a sexual dilemma occurs, as they make a pact to enter into a relationship with “No Strings Attached”. No feelings, no commitment, just sex.

This being a Hollywood romantic comedy and all, the outcome of the story is obvious from the word go. So again, and like most of the comedies we see nowadays, this film is all about the journey, and not the destination. The journey is somehow brightened by the chemistry between the two leads. If it weren’t for the presence of these two talented actors, the movie would have been easily lost among every other romantic comedy. They are both pleasant to watch, and the supporting cast features plenty of colorful and amusing characters, including Chris Bridges as one of Ashton’s macho pals, Lake Bell as an awkward TV producer who’s got the hots for Kutcher, and Kevin Kline who is hilarious as his egocentric father. With all the right ingredients, this otherwise predictable comedy still manages to provide some good laughs and I’m glad to say that I had a good time watching it. Of course it doesn’t add anything new to the genre, but as far as escapism goes, it’s not bad at all.

Rating: 2.5/4