Review: 'No Strings attached' is a treat for Valentine’s Day

Film: No Strings attached (A)
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman, Cary Elwes, Kevin Kline, Lake
Bell, Olivia Thirlby
Rating:  * * *

This film’s theme is symptomatic of the current times and mores.

Elizabeth Meriwether’s screenplay attempts to tap into the current
social scene where commitment phobic couples prefer to explore their limitless sexual options(facilitated easily by mobile phones and internet),  embarking on relationships minus the responsibilities that go with the territory.

Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) are one such emotionally/relationship challenged couple who spend most
of their time trying to deny their true feelings for each other while
still trying to enjoy the benefits of being sex-buddies –pursuing
round-the clock, emotion free, no questions asked gratification.

The two people are obviously struggling with complicated personal experiences rending them emotionally wounded and they obviously are also heading towards some tough times before attaining the happily ever after.

It’s predictable alright but not tedious. The premise may also appear as silly as they come but Reitman’s light-handed treatment
and Meriwether’s frothy writing combine well to keep us pleasantly
surprised.

Reitman’s narrative is pretty genial and engaging with the comedy and half-baked, short-on-mush romance cruising along on a
steady dose of amusing moments.

Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman share some eye-pleasing chemistry so there is definitely more to this film than mere routine romance!