GRADE: A-

One of the chores I had to take care of this weekend was to get out and see Friends With Benefits. Yes, such a grueling life as a film critic. I wanted to see this film because it looked like it had some spirit. Despite possibly being a carbon copy of the horrible No Strings Attached, this film doesn’t have Ashton Kutcher. The male lead is an actor I love to watch as opposed to one I cannot stand — sorry Kelso. This is the perfect role for Justin Timberlake for more than just the fact he can draw the ladies to the theater. Add the stunning Mila Kunis into the mix, and you clearly have a reason for men to attend a screening. Top it off with an edgy humorous script playing out wonderfully from a polished production, and there is reason for any movie fan to get to the theater. Even people who don’t consider a rom-com flick good cinema could find themselves enjoying Friends With Benefits. It was funny, had two fantastic leads, had a great soundtrack, and was a blast to watch until the end. That is the recipe for success in this genre.

Friends With Benefits has Kunis playing Jamie, a head hunter acting on behalf of GQ in New York. She recruits Dylan (Timberlake) to the big apple and sells him on the idea of living there by showing him some of her favorite sites — essentially, their first date. Being new to the big city and having no friends, Dylan leans on Jamie for companionship. The two strike up a friendship and become ‘buddies’ so to speak. Hanging out one night, the pair crosses the fine line between close friends and dating. Citing the carnal need of sex, these two beautiful people start hooking up in a fantasized manner. It’s almost mechanical. The two tell one another exactly how to navigate in the bedroom — kiss here, get on top, I don’t like ___ . They even talk about their day while having sex, it’s that casual. But of course, as we all know, they start to fall for one another. Come on, it’s a romantic comedy. But both realize the deeper connection at different times, resulting in less typical finish.

It set up nicely in terms of story and character, and finished strongly. The humor was raunchy — the film is rated R — and while it got really dirty at times, it didn’t lack taste. Dylan and Jamie soaked up most of the screen time and were well rounded characters by the end because of it. Every successful film in this genre needs a couple with chemistry, and these two were dynamic together. Despite the lack of focus in the film, the supporting cast members led by Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman, and Patrica Clarkson were prominent figures in the story. They helped these two come to the right decision of being together. Oops, I just spoiled the ending. Sorry. Also gotta take my hat off to Richard Jenkins for turning in a solid performance as Timberlake’s father suffering from Alzheimer’s. This is the type of character that gave the film a fresher feel, more of that edge I was referring to.

Overall, Friends With Benefits was a film that lived up to my expectations. It was well written with plenty of laughs, had impressive performances from the whole cast, was directed expertly by Will Gluck (Easy A), had an outstanding soundtrack, and was pieced together creatively in the editing room. Haven’t I said all this? Within the film itself, Friends With Benefits acknowledges what it is: a well done romantic comedy.

What Should You Do? Any fan of the genre should get out and see it. Disappointment should be a rarity. If you only see one of these films once in a blue moon, wait until this weekend to see Crazy, Stupid Love instead. That film was tremendous in every regard — one of the best films of 2011. Seriously.

Follow Matthew on Twitter: @matthewdeery