Review: Natalie Portman sparkles in ‘No Strings attached comedy that is’ romantic

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IVAN REITMAN — whose directing job (“Ghostbusters”) can be so long within the enamel he really possesses son, Jason, directing Oscar-worthy comedies — has their outing that is best in decades with “No Strings connected,” an amusing flip associated with the “friends with benefits” sex-leads-to-love romantic comedy formula.

It’s a film profiting from another gleaming, sexy and emotionally available performance by Natalie Portman, some clever turns in circumstances and witty banter that is not bashful about crossing over into “Hangover”-level raunchy.

Elizabeth Meriwether’s script has that “(500) times of Summer” gimmick, telling this couple’s tale in clumps more than a period that is 15-year. Super-smart Emma met hunky-needy Adam at summer time camp long ago whenever, in addition they possessed a momentary fling. A decade later on, they meet once again and pretty, flirty Emma (Portman) invites Adam to “this thing” she’s got to visit. It’s her dad’s funeral. But Adam that is dopey-handsome Kutcher, never cast against type) doesn’t hear the “She’s take off from her emotions” warning bells, even though she confesses, “If you’re lucky, you’re never likely to see me once again.”

Another possibility encounter years later results in an trade of telephone numbers. After which, that magical evening if the kid drunk-dials your ex plus one starts. But don’t call it a romance that is thoroughly modern. Emma, now an MIT trained doctor, won’t have that. She’s busy. She’s guarded. And she’s interested in sex — somebody “in my sleep at 2 a.m.” — and absolutely nothing more.

They usually have their romps, but snuggling and so on — real closeness — scares her down. Therefore for Adam, the chase is on.

Portman, most likely an Oscar nominee for “Black Swan,” carries this film along with her warmth and her wicked method with a extremely crude come-on. Kutcher is much better at bringing the funny that in holding the weight that is emotional. Reitman didn’t instantly evolve in to a warmer, much much deeper filmmaker, either pornstar fuck fans.

Nevertheless the manager surrounds their leads with funny people saying witty things.

Nevertheless the manager surrounds their leads with funny individuals saying witty things. Adam’s friend that is best (Jake M. Johnson) mocks him for offering their lady love a present of balloons — “Who you think you might be, the old man from ‘Up’?” Kevin Kline plays Adam’s has-been television celebrity dad, a lecher whom thinks absolutely absolutely nothing of using up with one of Adam’s ex-girlfriends. Lake Bell may be the leggy but embarrassing, lovestruck co-worker at Adam’s task. (He’s a manufacturing associate for a “Glee”-like twelfth grade musical show.)

And wonderful Greta Gerwig (“Greenberg”) spices within the role of Emma’s university pal, usually the one who scarcely outgrows that sorority girl’s call that is mating “I’m so druuuuuunk.”

Whatever corners writer Meriwither paints herself into — and also this film appears stitched from several present romances including “Rachel engaged and getting married” (Olivia Thirlby is Emma’s more youthful, matrimony-minded sibling) — sweet situations and cheeky discussion bail her away. You know it’s love once the man enables you to a menstruation mix tape — “Red Red Wine,” “I’ve Got the whole world on a String” and a lot more apparent Leona Lewis hit.

And also the sentiment — her love of convenience, their passion for love — hasn’t grown old, through “(500) Days of summer time,” “Up in the Air” (by Reitman’s son) and “Love & Other Drugs,” although it could because of the time a film actually titled “Friends with Advantages” hits theaters come early july.

‘NO STRINGS ATTACHED’

GRADE: BRATING: R (for intimate content, language plus some medication material)CAST: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Greta Gerwig, Kevin Kline, Lake BellDIRECTOR: Ivan ReitmanRUNNING TIME: 60 minutes, 36 mins