Friends With Benefits (2011)

Running Time: 109 mins
Directed By: Will Gluck
Starring: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson, Richard Jenkins, Bryan Greenberg, Andy Samberg, Emma Stone
Screenplay: David A. Newman, Keith Merryman, Will Gluck
UK Release Date: UK - 9th September

Quick Plot: Jamie and Dylan have both had their fair share of failed relationships, after becoming friends they realised that they are perfect for one another..to have sex with. Deciding to have a no strings attached- sex only- relationship they promise to not let feelings get in the way. Can't be hard right?

Review: Now where have I seen this film before? I remember, it's like that No Strings Attached that came out earlier this year. Same storyline and both star one of the girls from Black Swan and two actors from That's 70's Show! I would continue in this sarcastic manner if Friends With Benefits wasn't good but thankfully it was the opposite.
So Friends With Benefits isn't anything special or unique, especially with a similar (or replica- whatever you prefer) film having been released not so long ago. Yet, Friends With Benefits is really good for it's genre and I believe that's because of director, Will Gluck. Easy A took most of the world by storm last year and it's easy to see that Gluck has a speciality at making real life situations hilarious and thoroughly believable, though it's not extraordinary it's certainly something that's hard to come by in comedy films today.
Unlike No Strings Attached the characters of Jamie and Dylan are extremely likable. Mila Kunis' role as the 'emotionally damaged', waiting for 'Prince Charming' Jamie, is different from most rom com's leading ladies though still clichéd and similar. But because of Kunis fine talent of humour and good acting, the character is amiable to the audience which is obviously the film's aim. And even though we hate to admit it, Justin Timberlake is a far better actor than we ever expected. Though Dylan doesn't quite reach the impressiveness that The Social Network's Sean Parker did, you can see that Timberlake isn't the usual singer turnt actor we're so use to, he's passionate enough to give it his all (Though I very much miss your music JT please make another album). The pair certainly have chemistry which holds the film together and their on going bickering is charming. They're at their best in scenes together which luckily for us is about 90% of the film. Jamie's eccentric, party going Mom, Patricia Clarkson is another of the comedy stand outs and sadly Dylan's gay colleague, Woody Harrelson, isn't quite as funny as you want. Luckily the leads keep the film together as far as the characters can go.
From the trailer you knew the film essentially bases around lots of sex but the bedroom scenes aren't glorified in being the big scenes. They are important in being the funnier scenes but some are edited into sweet montages which gives off more of an emotional surge than I think it means to. With cute clichés such as the realisation that they are in love to the big act of trying to win the person back, the film is an overdose in cuteness which is down to the leads.
It's not an overly 'laugh out loud' comedy but Friends With Benefits is very funny (a lot funnier than No Strings Attached) and has the right amount of emotion for a Rom Com if you excuse the unneeded family storyline Dylan's father (Richard Jenkins) has.

Typical rom com but with plenty more laughs and sex but the leads have evident chemistry which makes the film better than most of the gushy stuff we see today. It's a must see if you love the genre.
3.5/5

Friends With Benefits official trailer

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One Day (2011)

Running Time: 108 mins
Directed By: Lone Scherfig
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Romola Garai, Patricia Clarkson, Jodie Whittaker, Rafe Spall
Screenplay: David Nicholls
UK Release Date: UK - 24th August

Quick Plot: On July 15th 1988, Emma and Dexter spend their graduation night together promising to remain good friends. Over the next 20 years the films revisits the pair for one day a year- the anniversary of the day they met. The film see's what their lives pan out to be with laughs, losses and a lot of love. -Cheesy synopsis there.

Review: Romantic Comedies aren't exactly rare, but every now and then one comes along that outshines the rest of them. I wouldn't go as far as saying One Day is iconic or rememberable, but it certainly sparkles.

About a year ago, one of my cousins told me about the book he was reading and how it was 'the best book he's ever read' and how I would 'love it' and yes you guessed it, this book was One Day. I found out it was even more successful as I first thought when it was announced it was to be adapted into a film, later being announced to star Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. Of course I gave it a go and it's got to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I could go on about how good of a book it is and how much it will change your life but this is a review of the film, sadly.
One Day is a film about every type of love. The love you have with your family, the love you share with your friends and that one true love those lucky enough experience in their lives. The good thing about this adaption is that the author also wrote the screenplay (David Nicholls also wrote the screenplay for another of his book adaptations Starter For 10), so he knew the key moments that needed to be included and how to keep the beautiful moral, if you will, that the book held. As most instances, it’s not as good as the book, but for a film, it works well as a good adaption. The standout moments are still there as are the witty ethics that the leads have. I wouldn’t really define One Day as a Rom Com, it has it’s funny parts but it’s certainly not a predictable lovey dovey tale. It’s all down to the way Dexter and Emma have been written, they have a bond that is a lot deeper than meets the eye. They constantly bicker with snide remarks to each other, are playfully sarcastic but at the end of the day really care about one another. The other characters are written well for the adaption too, being the secondary characters that really have no likeability neither do they hold any type of dislikablity as they are literally part of the narrative, whereas in the book you have a bigger insight. One Day is directed by Lone Scherfig, who has a knack for capturing the beauty of a friendship and finding your self (similarly with the 2009 film An Education) so it's no surprise the film is utilised in sweetness.
Having read the book I hope I am fully entitled to say that I believe Jim Sturgess is in every way possible, the greatest actor to be Dexter. I think he gave the character everything he got and made him the selfish, arrogant yet totally lovable Dexter Mayhew I fell in love with in the books. Sturgess, I already knew was a tremendous actor, but his portrayal of Dexter has me convinced he's got a lot more to show us in the future. I can't give him the credit of making him able to play a character over 20 years appearance wise, but I can say he shows the way his character develops extremely well. Now to Anne Hathaway, who's accent in the film has caused quite a stir. As a a reader of the book, I admit that Hathaway wouldn't have been my first choice to be Emma Morley but I can see why she was cast. Anne Hathaway is an actress who has come a long way in her career and we know she can play roles well. Her accent isn't exactly the best but if you push that aside she plays a good Emma. She's quirky, serious and real. Real enough anyway to be our lead Emma. The chemistry between the pair is apparent on screen and for that I really am thankful that Sturgess and Hathaway have put their all into the film knowing the books has lots of fans.

Now the film does have it's flaws. Hopefully it's not the book in the back of my mind, but I feel as if some days were a lot shorter than they should have been and sometimes the characters didn't get enough screen time to show their full emotions. As much as it's tried very hard to flow well, One Day has it's odd moments when you feel unsatisfied with a scene or not fully understanding what has happened in a certain year but it's definitely done the best it could have achieved in your average film duration. As for the ending of the film, it had nearly the same effect on me as the book. The film is lovable which I think is mostly to do with the leading roles but luckily enough everything else about it is quite simply lovely.

If you don't compare it to the book, forget Hathaway's accent and be patient with it, One Day is a gem which will make you laugh, cry and most of all love.
3/5

In my opinion, the best trailer for One Day..

 

Pure cheese of a verdict there.

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