There’s something about pre-release publicity that tends to take on its own momentum: thus, for instance, the odor of “le cinema du stinker” that attached itself to “No Strings Attached” for as long back as this movie was announced.
And why not? Warning signs were there. The plot sounded forced (man and woman swear to remain strictly “friends with privileges,” which almost guarantees they will fall in love according to formula). The director was Ivan Reitman, who was in a seemingly permanent rut since his “Ghostbusters” 1980s hot streak.
And while “No Strings Attached” starred the critically acceptable Natalie Portman, it also had Ashton Kutcher. And critics are not supposed to like Ashton Kutcher.
Well, here’s the actual movie, and it happens to be a moderately amusing, pleasantly bright, and attractively acted comedy. Oscar material it ain’t, but “No Strings Attached” is decidedly above the current benchmark for romantic comedies.
Natalie Portman plays Emma, a med student; Kutcher is Adam, a production assistant for a TV show. They’d known each other in summer camp years before, and the joshing attraction between the two of them finally spills over into lust.
But hey, it’s the 21st century, everybody’s really busy, and maybe it would be best for these two to simply sleep over once in a while and dispense with all the romance stuff.
Ah, everybody knows where Elizabeth Meriwether’s script is going. Scene for scene, though, unexpected one-liners and oddball moments pop up, and a certain loose, improvised quality prevails.
We also know that the two lovebirds will have goofy best friends who give dubious advice — but they didn’t have to be this well cast or played. Greta Gerwig (lately seen batting it around with Ben Stiller in “Greenberg”) and Mindy Kaling (“The Office”) are terrific as Emma’s friends, and Jake Johnson and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges do the duties for Adam.
Lake Bell is funny as Adam’s ditzy co-worker, and best of all is Kevin Kline, reveling in a preening role as Adam’s father. Kline’s character used to be the star of a popular sitcom, and his catchphrase (“Great Scott!”) is frequently employed as a punch line — a good gag, even if it recalls a similar bit in “A Mighty Wind.”
The movie’s approach is casually hip without the overbearing archness of something like “Juno.” It’s gently exaggerated when it needs to be, but kept grounded by its two stars, who are effortless in taking charge of their territory. Not a bad recipe for a Friday night at the movies.
“No Strings Attached,” three stars
Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher decide to be “friends with privileges,” and keep it entirely physical. We know where that’s going, but the movie is so attractively played and generally pleasant, you don’t mind going with the clichés. The excellent supporting cast is headlined by Kevin Kline, as Kutcher’s preening dad.
Rating: R, for language, subject matter, nudity
Showing: Alderwood, Everett Stadium, Marysville, Monroe, Stanwood, Metro, Oak Tree, Pacific Place, Woodinville and Cascade Mall.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
