Two movies dare to tell tales so similar that there is no other choice, but to have them duke it out for the title of "Best Casual Sex Romantic Comedy of 2011." Both films tell the story of a man and woman who feel they can defy all odds and embark on a journey that only involves sex. No relationship. No emotions. Just the physical stuff. In one corner we have No Strings Attached starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher and in the other corner we have Friends With Benefits starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake.
"DING"
Round 1:
No Strings Attached begins strong with quirky humor, but trails off into cliche land about halfway in. The cool, unique film that it once was transforms into goobily gook. Friends With Benefits starts off okay with a couple wasted cameos on some not so funny breakup scenes. It picks up momentum and builds into a strong comedy, which redeems itself in the cameo department when Jason Segel and Rashida Jones stop by for a giggle. Friends With Benefits brilliantly makes fun of its own cliche moments, which somehow makes the movie feel a little less cliche.
Winner: Friends With Benefits
Round 2:
Both films had funny moments, but I found myself enjoying the quirkier humor of No Strings Attached more than Friends With Benefits. The whole "Third Eye Blind joke" and needing to be rescued from the Hollywood sign in Friends With Benefits wasn't that funny. I heartily enjoyed the blunt in your face humor of No Strings Attached and the ridiculousness of the mix tape. Not to mention, Kevin Kline as Ashton Kutcher's character's dad was quite funny. Nothing screams funny more than when a dad starts dating their son's ex-girlfriend. Hi-larious!
Winner: No Strings Attached
Round 3:
Friends With Benefits used its characters' quirks and not only made them funny, but also made the characters seem more believable as people. Adding Richard Jenkins into the film as the Alzheimer diagnosed father of Justin Timberlake's character and Patricia Clarkson as the screwed up cooky mother of Mila Kunis' character elevated the movie into something more than just jokes. Mila and Justin had great chemistry together and were damaged characters that were right for one another. No Strings Attached lacked depth in the story and although the main actors worked well together, they were missing that extra spark. The story was good, but not nearly as good or emotionally powerful as Friends with Benefits.
Winner: Friends With Benefits
The Breakdown: No Strings Attached may be funnier overall than Friends With Benefits, but Mila and Justin's casual sex flick had a much deeper story and stronger chemistry between the lead actors. It also side stepped a lot of cliche moments by making fun of the cliche moments as they occurred. I'll give No Strings Attached 2 Stars and Friends With Benefits 2 and 1/2 stars. Neither film is amazing however, they are both enjoyable to watch and have moments of greatness sprinkled throughout.
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