By Stephen Whitty. Newark Star-Ledger. In the old days, romantic comedies started with two people falling in love -- and ended with the first discreet hint of them falling into bed. In its plot-reversed and gender-bent story, Natalie Portman is the supersmart, incredibly overworked doctor who doesn't have time for romance and only wants quick, zipless sex. Ashton Kutcher is the beautiful, sensitive writer who's been hurt, badly, and wants someone he can talk to in bed, and even have a nice pancake breakfast with the next morning.
So of course they hook up. And, of course, things get complicated. Things don't, however -- thankfully -- get stupid. Directed with some flair by Canadian comedy patriarch Ivan Reitman and brightly written by young Elizabeth Meriwether who gets the new, text-'n'-sex culture absolutely right , "No Strings Attached" is the first fun date movie of the year.
The first fun movie, actually. No Strings Attached. Directed by Ivan Reitman. Rated: R; contains nudity, sexual situations, strong language, comic violence and substance abuse. Running time: minutes. When: Opens Friday, Jan. Where: Area theaters. Grade: B. It doesn't get off to a great start. There's a crude and crudely repeated line early on, as if the film is rushing to announcing its own rowdiness. The first 15 minutes feel a bit rushed.
Characters are introduced so quickly their relationships are confusing. Portman's relationship-phobia doesn't get much back story, and feels a lot like a mere plot device. But both young stars are charming. It's probably Portman's warmest turn since "Garden State," and Kutcher's most affable work ever. And Reitman has assembled a terrific supporting cast, any of whom could carry his or her own romantic comedy.
Kevin Kline as Kutcher's randy, TV-star dad? Wittily wonderful. The perpetually underused Lake Bell, as Kutcher's blindly adoring co-worker? Warmly geeky-sexy. Greta Gerwig, Mindy Kaling and even Ludacris all show up and add their own specific twist on things, while still serving the material.
