Review Format:

Blu-ray

Justin Timberlake plays Dylan Harper, an internet hotshot who is head-hunted by GQ Magazine in New York. Recruited by Jamie Rellis (Mila Kunis), they both carry a lot of emotional baggage from previous relationships. Keen to avoid the mistakes and clichés depicted in romantic comedies, they decide to do away with such complications and simply become fuck buddies.

In addition to cameos from Emma Stone and Andy Samberg (Saturday Night Live), Woody Harrelson also pops up as their boss and token gay guy – providing humour throughout.

As ‘Friends With Benefits’ progresses, it seems to do away with its earlier intentions and falls more in line with the romantic comedies that it pokes fun at. Some scenes also feel a bit crow-barred in, such as a random flash mob dance sequence in the middle of Times Square. The story also alludes to what would have been a pretty big twist, but never follows through on it.

Like 1997’s ‘Volcano’ and ‘Dantes Peak’, and 1998’s ‘Armageddon’ and ‘Deep Impact’, ‘Friends with Benefits’ was released in very close proximity to ‘No Strings Attached’, which shares the same premise. Fortunately, this is the better of the two films.

If you happen to be a fan of either Justin or Mila, you’ll be delighted to learn that there is quite a lot of flesh on display throughout. The pair has great chemistry, and their likability gets you through some of the corniness.

‘Friends with benefits’ is a decent enough rom-com, with its fair share of raunchy comedy and charm. Though I do wish a few moments had made their way to the deleted scenes!

Special Features:
The Blu-ray comes with a feature commentary with Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis and Will Gluck. Additional extras include deleted scenes, outtakes, on-set and choreographing the flash mob featurettes, a pop-up trivia track, and comedy of a sexomedy.