Most of the recent romantic comedies are pretty bad, and the ones that are good are far too referential of how culture has changed, and thus implants awkward lines of dialogue plowing home how we text and post on facebook within speech. GHOSTBUSTERS director Ivan Reitman has made a romantic comedy that fits into the latter description. With NO STRINGS ATTACHED he has created a film not only that kind of movie, but a good example of that movie, and why its good because its not the former description. For, despite how many annoying lines it has like that, or lines that plow home how women are now sexualized, the the film has a charm about it, and its pretty funny. The film stars Asthon Kutcher as Adam, who, since college, has had his eye on Emma (Natalie Portman). After years of just bumping into her, he ends up at her house naked and drunk one night, and the next morning they have sex. Adam is infatuated with Emma, but she's an aspiring doctor, and 'just wants someone in her bed at two in the morning who she doesn't have to lie to.' So, they become friends with benefits, and with such a modern-day practice, this is where Ivan Reitman (who is pretty old now) doesn't know how to seamlessly implant modern-day references without sounding like a bemused old man talking about how children use these strange iPods. As for the rest of the film, its done quite well, and even though we know where the film is going, the star power of Portman, and a surprisingly charming Kutcher create a compelling story. Greta Gerwig is also especially good as Portman's best friend who begins to have a relationship with Adam's best friend. In truth, watching a movie about these two characters would have been just as satisfying: and that's a good sign for a film's supporting characters. Kevin Kline awkwardly plays Kutcher's father, and that doesn't play well, because it's in the same vein as the cultural awareness that undermines itself by not being culturally aware. All in all, NO STRINGS ATTACHED is charming with good performances, and that's enough for a romantic comedy.
No Strings Attached: ★★★
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