First Entry: No Strings Attached

Last night I saw the new film No Strings Attached starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. My expectations weren't too high, but from the previews I knew I was in for a world of feminist commentary. The plot of the film is that Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman's characters make a deal that they will not fall in love, but will be each others' on call sex partner. This essentially means that at any hour of the day, they can send each other a text message requesting sex, and then meet up, do the deed, and head their separate ways.

This is a very interesting topic to see on screen, especially since in college, this is a very common theme. The idea of being "friends with benefits" seems like the perfect compromise for anyone who doesn't have the time or desire to be emotionally in a serious relationship. In No Strings Attached, Natalie Portman plays a medical student in her residency; she works an ungodly amount and her job is her priority. Ashton's character, on the other hand, is less serious about his career, and falls head over heels in love with Natalie Portman.

The film possesses a very modern view at relationships and gender roles. The male has a less lucrative career, and is the romantic of the duo. Portman's character, for the majority of the movie, craves nothing more than casual, meaningless sex. The classic gender roles in the film are a sign of progress in the modern media, but what's even more impressive is that the roles are believable. The movie doesn't seem to try too hard to prove its point; throughout the film I never doubted the believability of the story.

All in all, I really enjoyed watching the movie and think that the screenwriter, Elizabeth Meriwether, does a great job presenting an accurate depiction of modern-day relationships.