“No Strings Attached”: A Modern Rom-Com with Complications
“No Strings Attached” ventures into the well-trodden territory of romantic comedies, but with a distinctly modern twist. Ashton Kutcher introduces Natalie Portman to a narrative centered around sex without the traditional relationship commitments, exploring the unexpected consequences that often arise. Portman’s character initially approaches this arrangement with resistance, hilariously turning to pastries as a coping mechanism for the ensuing stress.
Emma (Natalie Portman), a dedicated doctor struggling with emotional expression, finds herself unexpectedly in bed with Adam (Ashton Kutcher), a longtime friend. While Adam seeks a more committed relationship following their encounter, Emma, overwhelmed by her demanding work schedule of eighty hours a week, proposes a “friends with benefits” arrangement. They establish a set of ground rules, including the avoidance of breakfast together, and agree to terminate the arrangement should either party develop deeper romantic feelings.
Familiar Rom-Com Tropes Abound
Absent the characters’ rather unusual set of rules, “No Strings Attached” could easily be categorized as a quintessential romantic comedy. The film incorporates many recognizable and beloved elements of the genre. Both protagonists are supported by a cast of comedic friends, including a particularly memorable and hilarious gay character, enriching the comedic landscape. The plot mostly adheres to a predictable romantic comedy format, culminating in a final, decisive gesture, marked by a setback and Portman’s character’s reliance on pastries for comfort, which provides some genuinely amusing scenes. Alongside their romantic pursuits, both characters grapple with their respective careers. Kutcher’s character, an aspiring screenwriter, successfully sells his first screenplay, while Portman’s character’s profession as a doctor serves as a convenient plot device.
The “Intimacy-Phobic” Element
What truly sets “No Strings Attached” apart is director Ivan Reitman’s decision to characterize Emma as “intimacy-phobic,” adding a complex dimension to the narrative. This approach leads to a storyline that might provoke a degree of cognitive dissonance in some viewers: the characters readily engage in casual sexual encounters, and then, as they begin to fall in love, contemplate ending their arrangement, leading to a puzzled reaction.
However, in a society where figures like Samantha Jones are celebrated, the anthem “Independent Women” resonates deeply, and the option of artificial insemination exists, this narrative thread perhaps doesn’t seem as unconventional as it might have decades ago.
Portman’s Nuanced Performance and a Sagging Midpoint
Moreover, in contemporary Hollywood, Natalie Portman brings a certain gravitas to the role. There’s perhaps no other leading actress that could reject Ashton Kutcher with Emma’s mix of believable severity and vulnerability, especially during the film’s critical moments. Despite Portman’s performance and the film’s appealing premise, however, the narrative unfortunately loses momentum around the halfway mark. The lack of external obstacles or antagonists combined with the characters’ internal struggles proving somewhat difficult for the audience to fully empathize with, results in a slump. Viewers may then mostly find themselves appreciating the movie’s aesthetic beauty and the comical bewilderment of the supporting characters, whose humorous takes on sexual frustration begin to wear thin around this point.