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Friends with Benefits (film)

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Friends with Benefits (film)
NameFriends with Benefits
DirectorWill Gluck
ProducerWill Gluck, Liz Glotzer, Martin Shafer, Jerry Zucker, Janet Zucker
WriterWill Gluck, Keith Merryman, David A. Newman
StarringJustin Timberlake, Mila Kunis
MusicHallgrim Ødegård
CinematographyMichael Grady
EditingTia Nolan
StudioCastle Rock Entertainment, Olive Bridge Entertainment
DistributorScreen Gems
Released2011, 07, 22
Runtime109 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$35 million
Gross$149.5 million

Friends with Benefits (film) is a 2011 American romantic comedy directed by Will Gluck. The film stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis as two young professionals who attempt to add a purely physical relationship to their friendship without emotional complications. It features a supporting cast including Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenberg, Richard Jenkins, and Woody Harrelson. Produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and released by Screen Gems, the film was a commercial success and received mixed to positive reviews from critics.

Plot

Dylan Harper, a Los Angeles-based art director for a website, is recruited by New York headhunter Jamie Rellis for a position at GQ magazine. After Dylan moves to New York City, he and Jamie become close friends. Following respective romantic disappointments, they decide to enter into a friends-with-benefits arrangement, believing they can avoid the emotional pitfalls of a traditional relationship. Their pact is tested as they navigate their careers at GQ and family dynamics, including Dylan's father's struggle with Alzheimer's disease. The story culminates with both characters realizing their deep feelings for each other, leading to a romantic reconciliation at Los Angeles International Airport.

Cast

* Justin Timberlake as Dylan Harper * Mila Kunis as Jamie Rellis * Patricia Clarkson as Lorna, Jamie's mother * Jenna Elfman as Annie Harper, Dylan's sister * Bryan Greenberg as Parker, Annie's husband * Richard Jenkins as Mr. Harper, Dylan's father * Woody Harrelson as Tommy Bollinger, a flamboyant sports editor at GQ * Nolan Gould as Sammy, Annie's son * Andy Samberg as Quincy, a quasi-love interest for Jamie * Emma Stone as Kayla, Dylan's ex-girlfriend (cameo) * Shaun White as himself (cameo) * Jason Segel as a potential boyfriend (deleted scene cameo)

Production

The film was written by director Will Gluck along with Keith Merryman and David A. Newman. Principal photography began in October 2010, with locations including New York City and Los Angeles. Key scenes were shot at iconic sites such as Times Square, Central Park, and the Griffith Observatory. The production was a collaboration between Castle Rock Entertainment and Gluck's Olive Bridge Entertainment. The soundtrack was composed by Hallgrim Ødegård, with Michael Grady serving as cinematographer and Tia Nolan as editor.

Release

Friends with Benefits had its world premiere in Westwood, Los Angeles on July 18, 2011. It was theatrically released in the United States by Screen Gems on July 22, 2011. The film was marketed with a campaign that highlighted its comedic take on modern dating, directly contrasting it with the earlier 2011 film No Strings Attached, which featured a similar premise. It was later released on DVD and Blu-ray by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in November 2011.

Reception

The film grossed $149.5 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 70% based on reviews from critics. Reviewers praised the chemistry between Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis and the film's self-aware humor, though some found the plot conventional. Roger Ebert awarded the film three out of four stars, commending its intelligence. At the 2011 Teen Choice Awards, the film received nominations, and Mila Kunis won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Actress in 2012 for her performance.

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack features a mix of pop and indie music, including the opening song "The Joker" by The Steve Miller Band. Key tracks include "Closing Time" by Semisonic, performed by Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis in a karaoke scene, and "Time of the Season" by The Zombies. Original score pieces were composed by Hallgrim Ødegård. The soundtrack album was released by WaterTower Music and helped underscore the film's energetic and romantic tones.

Category:2010s romantic comedy films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:Films directed by Will Gluck Category:Screen Gems films