By AMY COMSTOCK
It’s easy to judge No Strings Attached (rated-R) as just another movie with heart-throb Ashton Kutcher falling in love. However, the opening scene shows a side of Kutcher’s character, Adam, as a 14-year-old vulnerable and heartbroken kid after finding out that his parents are getting a divorce. Then in steps Natalie Portman’s character, Emma, who is misplaced in the scene as the person to comfort Adam. Emma is an emotionally awkward girl, who looks like she would rather be in a pit of snakes than at a summer camp with Adam.
Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, I Love You, Man) did a wonderful job of producing and directing this film keeping the audience’s focus by drifting through different ages of Adam and Emma’s lives when they happen to run into each other. It is not hard to follow, but it does require one’s attention.
The movie takes meaning when Adam discovers his famous father Alvin, Kevin Kline (Wild Wild West), has been dating his ex-girlfriend, Ophelia Lovibond, who he isn’t over yet. Adam expresses his feelings of bewilderment and betrayal and winds up at a bar with his best friend deciding to call every girl in his phone book until someone will sleep with him. After that, the details are fuzzy, and Adam wakes up naked on a couch belonging to a girl whose name he can’t remember.
A mysterious male walks in with Adams socks and panic sets in as he wonders if he reached his goal of sleeping with someone the night before. Then, Emma shows up again reassuring him that he did not sleep with anyone.
The two begin to collect Adam’s dispersed clothing and one thing leads to another and they wind up in bed together. Ten minutes later Emma casually puts on her work clothes and leaves Adam with the request for him not to tell anyone.
Because of her demanding work schedule and the trouble she has dsplaying her feelings, Emma is only looking for a physical relationship, and tells Adam she needs someone who can be in her bed at 2 a.m., who she doesn’t have to eat breakfast with. Without skipping a beat, Adam replies that he hates breakfast. From there they set up ground rules including no jealousy, no cuddling, no staring lovingly into each others eye’s and no nick-names.
Now is when Adam’s character truly develops and his feelings are overwhelmingly strong for Emma, but she keeps pushing him away. Portman’s acting is at its finest as she portrays herself toward Adam as a cold-hearted animal, then secretly suffers behind closed doors. The feelings between them show a vulnerable tug-of-war over their hearts, as they try and keep their friendship. The audience is rooting for the couple now more than ever as they long for each other without the others knowledge.
The strong supporting cast keeps the story line moving and the smaller sub-plots lighten the mood. Overall, every cast member played their part with outstanding proficiency and had the audience members on their side.
To watch the movie trailer just click on the graphic above or go to http://www.nostringsattachedmovie.com/