Just Friends

Just Friends is the story of serial womaniser Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) and his unplanned return to his home town after a ten year absence. Chris’ self imposed exile happens after he is publicly rejected by best friend and secret love. Now an attractive record executive, Chris is forced to spend Christmas at home with a popstar client (a hyper reality Christina Aguilera rip-off) Samantha James (Anna Faris). There Chris comes face to face with the world and the girl he ran away from.

It’s a dumb premise, but Just Friends works where so many other films fail. All of the pieces are charming as a whole. Perfectly pruned and brozened Reynolds is likeable throughout due to his endearing, cushion biting fat suit performance in the opening few minutes. Amy Smart is cute and sweet as the object of Chris’ desire. And all of the minor characters are written, played and directed to just the right note for a film of this type.

But the real reasons that make ‘Just Friends’ a must see for the romantic comedy junkie are not up front; one of these being Anna Farris performance as the petulant, semi-insane popstar Samantha James. Farris’ comic timing and OTT performance bring some of films biggest belly laughs. The other great gem is the perfectly brutal relationship Chris has with his brother Mike (Chris Maquette) with each of their scenes quickly descending to hilarious sibling torture.

Without question, ‘Just Friends’ firmly belongs in the guilty pleasure pile and all in all it’s a charming middle of the road film that works just right. I challenge anyone to watch it and not get a giggle, hell even Chris Klien is almost bearable.

I’m not going to say that ‘Just Friends’ is a good film. Hell, it’s just another sheep in the flock of films whose poster with white backgrounds with red lettering screams ‘Bland!’. This form of marketing has become so standard that just the briefest glance at these posters will instantly tell the casual viewer with its un-aggressive red lettering ‘Hey there. I’m a nice movie. Kinda’ like Dr. Dolittle and Norbit. I could even be a ‘Licence to Wed’. You know me, generic unchallenged fun for all the family.’ ‘Just Friends’ is, unapologetically, one of these films and I think it’s great.