Day 7 - Friends With Benefits

First Impressions:

Smart dialogue, rapid-fire pop culture references, notable familiar faces including Andy Samburg, Emma Stone, and Woody Harrelson as the token GBF (Gay Best Friend).

Most rom-coms seem to happen either in LA or New York; Friends with Benefits had action on both coasts.

Personal Reflections:

"It's not who you want to spend Friday night with; it's who you want to spend all Saturday with."

This is the most recent rom-com to date, released in 2011, which made it seem more relevant.  Friends With Benefits (FWB) is a more modern designation and one that makes sense in our modern world of convenience where within seconds you can get what you want with the right app.  In this case, sex without the time put in to cultivate intimacy, physicality without all the encumbrances associated with a relationship (ie. "...shut off emotionally like George Clooney".  I have to admit, I didn't really get this.  George Clooney is a classic strong and silent type; I wouldn't say he's emotionally unavailable, rather he is not emotionally effusive).

As soon as I saw the title and the first 5 minutes, I knew that Jamie and Dylan would end up together at the end, however, as we learned from "As Good As It Gets", predictability is not a bad thing in this genre.

I thought the conceit of a rom-com within a rom-com was as subversively vague as the idea of friends with benefits.  "I Love You, I Love New York" is a rom-com within "Friends With Benefits" that Jamie and Dylan rag on for its genre hallmarks like the guy pouring his heart out at Grand Central, a horse and carriage ride through Central Park, and (my favourite) the "...unambiguously upbeat pop song to convince you that you liked the shitty movie."  Naturally, "Friends With Benefits" cribs from this as tongue-and-cheek as Dylan's grand-gesture declaration amidst a flash mob at Grand Central scored to Closing Time by Semi-sonic (an in-joke throughout).  I have a special connection to Closing Time, so, yeah, I liked the shitty movie.

What makes it funny is that it pokes fun at itself while proving that friendship is the best foundation for a relationship and the 'F' in 'FWB' is as reasonable place to start as any.  In essence, by removing the pressure of labels and 'moving the relationship to the next level', Jamie and Dylan become very comfortable with each other which accelerates their intimate friendship.

This movie gives hope to participants in FWB situations hoping it might lead to more.  The reality is probably much messier, and the time-line a lot longer to transition a FWB situation to a relationship.

Also, repeated jokes about being gay if you like Harry Potter.  Even in 2011, jokes that other gays live on in the rom-com world.

"Why do women think the only way to get a man to do what they want, is to manipulate them? History. Personal experience. Romantic comedies."

Rom-Com Tropes:

1. Song and dance numbers - 2 flash mob scenes.  One in Times Square and one in Grand Central.
2. Wise GBF
3. Wait for true love, and you will find 'the one'.

Soundtrack:

It seems a great soundtrack is VERY important for a successful rom-com.  Of notable mention:
1. Death Cab for Cutie, Semisonic, Kris-Kross, Steppenwolf, Vetiver, Train.


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