Much has been made of "No Strings Attached" and "Friends With Benefits"—two conceptually similar romantic comedies—being released a mere six months apart. And, I'll admit, it's hard to completely discount the "haven't I seen this before?" mentality surrounding these dueling f--- buddy films.
But in truth, Hollywood—heck, the creative world in general—is no stranger to subject matter retreads. No one really seems to care that Shakespeare based "Romeo and Juliet" on an earlier Italian tale or that "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer used the Bard's star-crossed lovers as inspiration for her vampire romance. It's the unique manner and subtle nuances in which a familiar trope is refashioned that sets it apart (and saves the artiste from copyright infringement).
All of this is really just to say that Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis' flick is worthy of $10 and a two-hour time investment, even if you sat through similar sexual shenanigans with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman earlier this year. Because, in the end, they are two completely different movies that happen to rely on a similar theme.
Keep reading after the jump for three reasons to say yes to "Friends With Benefits."
Justin Timberlake puts on a show
I'm still getting used to Justin Timberlake The Actor, but if you've sat through just one of his guest-hosting stints on "SNL," you know he shines most brightly when his silly side runs rampant. We get glimmers of that charisma during the flick's lighter moments, like when Justin's character Dylan raps the 1992 Kriss Kross jam "Jump." Justin's acting is by no means perfect, but he's working it out.
I should also mention that this is probably the closest you'll get to a Justin Timberlake concert this side of 2020.
Richard Jenkins adds so much heart it nearly hurts
Tucked inside this silly, sexy romp is the story of Dylan's father (played by the formidable Richard Jenkins), a former journalist suffering from Alzheimer's who realizes too late that life is much shorter than he could have ever imagined. He and Dylan share a moment in the Newark Airport that made me misty-eyed—something I certainly didn't expect coming into this rom-com.
Bryan Greenberg. That is all
If you ask me, Bryan Greenberg is criminally under-utilized in Hollywood. I mean, he's just so darn adorable! Why don't we see him more often? With "How to Make it in America" not returning to HBO until October, I'll take any chance I can get to see this guy onscreen.
Honorable mention: Any movie (this one included) is made that much better with the inclusion of actress Patricia Clarkson. That woman is gosh darn hilarious.
Do you plan to see "Friends With Benefits" this weekend? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!
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