The comedy film "Friends With Benefits" explores the concept of whether or not it’s possible for two people who are friends to have sex on a regular basis without either of them developing romantic feelings for each other. There was another comedy movie with the same concept that was also released in 2011 — "No Strings Attached," starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, which was originally titled "Friends With Benefits. But this "Friends With Benefits" movie is perceived by many movies fans to be raunchier and funnier than "No Strings Attached."
In "Friends With Benefits," magazine art director Dylan (played by Justin Timberlake) and executive recruiter Jamie (played by Mila Kunis) decide to embark on a "friends with benefits" relationship, since they have both become cynical about love and they don’t want to be tied down in a serious relationship. Of course, complications ensue as Dylan and Jamie get feedback about their relationship from family and friends — and Dylan and Jamie begin to question the lengths that they’ll go to keep their "friends with benefits" status. Here is what Timberlake, Kunis, Patricia Clarkson (who plays Jamie’s mother, Lorna) and Jenna Elfman (who plays Dylan’s older sister, Annie) said at the Los Angeles press junket for "Friends With Benefits."
Interview with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis
Do you think "friends with benefits" can work out in real life?
Kunis: No.
Timberlake: It’s the gateway. It’s the marijuana of … No, I’m kidding. It’s the gateway of being promoted or being fired.
Kunis: Yeah. Either you go into a relationship — hence promotion — or you get fired.
Timberlake: She [Mila Kunis] recently heard a story — a reporter was talking to her about the movie, and she said that she and her husband started a "friends with benefits" thing and now they’re married right now. I’ve been happily married.
Are "friends with benefits" situations handled better by men or by women?
Timberlake: I don’t know if it’s better or worse. I just think you’re talking about Mars and Venus. I think there are things that women do obviously way better than men, and I think there are things that men accept about themselves that they think they do better than women. It’s just how it is. Trust me, the moment you realize that, you just accept it. "Yeah, I’m not as smart."
Actors and actresses always say that filming sex scenes are awkward, not sexy. Is that true?
Kunis: It’s true, but these were funny so they were a little less awkward. I think if they had to be serious … it would be incredibly awkward.
What’s the worst relationship advice you’ve ever gotten?
Timberlake: I don’t know. I feel like my friends are pretty sensible people.
Kunis: Mine too. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten horrible advice. I’m pretty sure I’ve never gotten horrible advice. I have really, great, smart people around me.
Timberlake: Also, at the end of the day, it’s your experience. Man up. Make your own decisions.
Interview with Patricia Clarkson
Do you think "friends with benefits" can work out in real life?
Clarkson: To each his own. I think for some people, it would work. For me, personally, I don’t think it would work. Even though I’m a free spirit, I like to keep my friends and my lovers separate. I have extraordinary friends, but I don’t want to see them naked.
I have stunning friends. I value my friendships as I value my family. But this ["friends with benefits"] concept works for some people, especially younger people … It’s the new relationship. We’ve branded it.
How would you describe your "Friends With Benefits" character Lorna?
Clarkson: I love that he name is Lorna. Only ["Friends With Benefits" director/co-writer] Will Gluck would let me play a character named Lorna. He’s a fabulous, hot director. He’s hot, hot, hot in so many ways. Between Justin [Timberlake] and Will, oh my God! Will let me play this delicious lady named Lorna, who is a free spirit — a very, very free-spirited lady.
I like to think of myself as a free spirit. I’ve never married. I’m not conventional in that way. But I do like romance. I’ve been fortunate enough that I’ve had great love, and I’ve dated remarkable men in my life. I’m very thankful for all of that, but Lorna has struggled with a lot of things. And men being I think the thing she’s struggled with most.
I think Lorna is surprising, like many moments in this film, it’s surprising. I think she keeps you on your toes. You never know what she’s going to do. That’s why when I first read the part, I was like, "Oh my God! Thank you, Will, for letting me play this because she’s got an energy." She loves her daughter. Who wouldn’t love Mila Kunis? She’s beautiful.
Interview with Jenna Elfman
Do you think "friends with benefits" can work out in real life?
Elfman: I have been with my husband for 20 years, since I was 19. I’m not yet 40. I’m almost 40. I’m still breathing the 30s. It’s how you look and how you feel. If you look good and you’re miserable, it’s not worth it.
I do not see how it’s possible to have a "friends with benefits" lifestyle, because if the sex is great, it’s going to naturally expand into a more meaningful relationship. Otherwise, it’s just a booty call. Sex, when it falls flat, it’s flat, and then it’s over.
How would you describe your "Friends With Benefits’ character Annie?
Elfman: I had never played a sister before, and I thought it would be fun. And playing Justin Timberlake’s sister isn’t a "sucky" thing. I was very excited. I’d just had my second kid, so I was very happy to get out of the house and on to a movie set. It was great.
They had been filming for a month by the time I arrived. I joined the party late, and I immediately have to have a lifelong chemistry as his sister. My character is a single mother and taking care of their father, who has early Alzheimer’s. Out father is not with our mother. I just want someone in our family to have a great relationship, for crying out loud.
And I want my brother to be happy. And I want him to not miss what is right under his nose, which is this awesome chick. And I think I also want to live vicariously through him and his relationship, because there’s no time for [Annie] to have a relationship right now, so I want him to have it.
For more info: "Friends With Benefits" movie
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