No Strings Attached
After a series of chance meetings Adam and Emma hook up for sex. Both have hectic schedules and their own set of intimacy issues so rather than play the dating game they decide to keep their relationship strictly physical. That is, until it starts to become something more.
When it comes to romantic comedies I’m more for the scale tipping toward the comedy end of things rather than the romantic side. There are a few examples of films that I found funny for the first hour (CHASING AMY, KNOCKED UP, THE BREAK-UP) but due to the veering into dramatic waters for the second halves, I’ve never had the inkling to re-watch them, let alone buy them. My kind of romantic comedy has a visible mixture of both, combined with great writing and a fun cast whose chemistry is obvious (HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS) and I’m as happy as I am surprised to tell you that NO STRINGS ATTACHED is that kind of movie.
Now say what you want about the Kutch, but I love him. THAT 70’S SHOW introduced us to Michael Kelso, one of the funniest sitcom characters I’ve ever seen and though most people thought Kutch would end up a one hit wonder or a type cast character (DUDE WHERE’S MY CAR, PUNKED), he surprised the hell out of me with his stunning performance in THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, still one of my favourite movies of all time. I also enjoyed THE GUARDIAN and as far as romantic comedies go, VALENTINE’S DAY was all him as far as I’m concerned. He’s a likable guy with talent, charisma, wit and charm; making just about any film he’s in a true delight to watch. That said, I’ve never been big on Natalie Portman but she’s growing on me and her performance here certainly helped. Here’s hoping she brings the same A-game to THOR.
The supporting cast here is nothing but fun as well with Kevin Kline pushing the envelope further than I’ve seen him go in a long while. He’s an absolute riot and goes out with a bang delivering some of the funniest lines in the movie (that bit about the dog at the end is priceless). Adam’s two best friends are equally funny, crude by some people’s standards I’m sure but I laughed my ass off at just about everything they said (Ludacris’ response to what Adam should text when asked “where are you” nearly had me in tears).
NO STRINGS ATTACHED is a film that shines because it’s all about adults acting like adults in a day and age where anything goes and the rules of love are made up as we go. When all’s said and done this film feels genuine and that’s rare these days as most romantic comedies like to create a fantasy that doesn’t tend to exist in real life. Now don’t get me wrong, Hollywood will always embellish when it comes to love but this feels much more believable when weighed against most. What this film really reminds me of is CALIFORNICATION, “THE” show about how tangled and ridiculous relationships can get. Sure, the setup here is obvious and the outcome no harder to guess but this is one film that delivers on both ends of the spectrum, doesn’t drag and won’t leave you disappointed.
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