No Strings Attached

Neutral—I went to see this movie with a couple of my girlfriends the other day, and I very much enjoyed it. Although it was slow at times, the humor was relatable and interesting to watch. I’m not quite sure why this is rated R though; It should have been a rating of PG-13. You only saw one bottom and a couple scenes were you see the man “thrusting” into the main women. But it only lasted about 1 minute, maybe less. So, overall, very good and unique movie. You could definitely take your teenage daughter, if they are mature enough for SOME mature scenes. Also language is minor.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4

Negative—Ivan Reitman is a capable director. The film is well made. His own personal story is more interesting than this rather boring film. His family was persecuted by the NAZIs. This is a film you must keep your children away from. The role models are both physically attractive and morally appalling. The idea that friends with benefits would turn into something which was likely to turn into marriage is a poisonous idea for teenagers. The film portrays an Indian (East Asian) girl as a slut. This—no doubt—because it is against type. It portrays two male doctors as gay—one on the down low. It portrays two attractive girls—one Asian—as lesbians.

There is a superfluity of cursing. The male lead’s father is doing drugs. Whilst I do not find this as offensive, the male lead’s father has, as his girlfriend on two occasions, his son’s ex-girlfriends. There is then salacious conversation about their both having had sex with one of them. There is, also, talk about going to the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, which if it is not pagan, at least is famed for nudity.

The sex scene between Kutcher and Portman is offensive. There is no love there. They resemble a couple of stray dogs with an itch. The mother of the female lead is a widow who is living with some guy who has a reputation as a “stud.” There is much talk about penises.

There is a marriage, but because it is interracial and perhaps, therefore interfaith, it is not shown. This film is homage to the ultimate Left secular cliché that there is validity in any sexual coupling and any associated relationship.

If you are a fully mature adult who is happily married, then this film is likely to be interesting to you and not corrupting. But although it has a happy ending and rejects the likelihood of successful friends with benefits relationships, I cannot recommend it. Further, the sad part is that I think that this film is likely just what passes for normal behavior in Hollywood/LA today. I do not think that this film is thought by its makers to be offensive. It is just how they live.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½

…lackluster picture …not entirely terrible… but it is hard to escape the feeling that Mr. Reitman shot six or seven movies and then went into the editing room blindfolded to splice them all together. …

…raw, rudderless comedy… showcases uninhibited trysts, and doesn’t blush a bit about the sex-and-go worldview it supports… Adam and Emma are seen in the throes of intercourse in several scenes and a variety of locales, incorporating very realistic movements and sounds. …

…It’s a movie benefiting from another sparkling, sexy and emotionally available performance by Natalie Portman, some clever turns in situations and witty banter that isn’t shy about crossing over into “Hangover” level raunchy. …

…it slogs along with uninventive scenes that become repetitive as the couple argues or grows apart before the inevitable reconciliation… The movie’s final message of commitment being vital to a satisfying life is a message media-wise viewers will like, but they will be turned off by the excessive raunchiness and cavalier attitude in the movie’s first half. …

…There are humorous moments, and it’s a bit less bland than its contemporaries. …

…There was a time when the very premise of this film would have been banned, but times change, and now characters can do pretty much anything as long as they don’t get away with it. …The movie is rated R, but it’s the most watery R I’ve seen. It’s more of a PG-13 playing dress-up. …

…this genial if overlong romantic comedy bounces along on a steady stream of amusing moments, even as it presents the most polished and predictable version of a scenario that cries out for greater verbal and visual candor, given its R rating. …

…has more genuine laughs than movies of this ilk usually do, but it leads exactly where we think it will on a sometimes funny, ultimately predictable, journey.