Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sexy romcom is cliched but surprisingly sweet.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
No Strings Attached
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say that this film is a cute romantic comedy, best suited for older teens due to its mature content, including strong language and multiple sex scenes, although some found it not as explicit as anticipated. While many appreciated the chemistry between the main characters and enjoyed the humor, others criticized it for being clichéd and lacking depth, feeling that it might convey negative messages about relationships.
- cute romantic comedy
- suitable for teens
- strong language
- clichéd themes
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Emma Kurtzman (Natalie Portman) and Adam Franklin (Ashton Kutcher) meet as 14-year-olds at Camp Weehawken, where Adam makes an awkward (and crass) pass that Emma turns down. Later, they run into each other at a frat party at Adam's college, but even that moment slips away. It's not until they get reacquainted again in Los Angeles, where Emma's doing her residency at a hospital and Adam is working on a Glee-like TV show, that they finally become friends ... with benefits. Adam's eager to date, but Emma's not up for anything more than casual sex. Or is she?
Is It Any Good?
The set-up is standard issue and lacking in conflict, the dialogue hokey. Cliches are everywhere, including one particularly aggravating scene that has Portman's character stuffing her face with donut holes after a romantic disappointment while listening to songs with Significance (with a capital S, naturally). Must every romcom include a scene in which women ease their heartache by overeating?
Yet NO STRINGS ATTACHED is surprisingly entertaining. Like the role or not, Portman commits to Emma, and we, in turn, commit to her. (Not so much with Kutcher's Adam, though he's not terrible.) The rest of the ensemble -- Mindy Kaling, Greta Gerwig, Kevin Kline, and Lake Bell -- is also impressive; they're a ridiculously talented bunch who make the usual supporting-cast peccadilloes amusing. It's also refreshing to have the female character as the one who's commitment-phobic, while the guy sits around waiting for his phone to ring (or ping with a text, as they do these days). All of these pluses distract from the film's flaws, but you may still ultimately have trouble forgiving them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of a "friends with benefits" relationship. What messages does that kind of arrangement convey about love and commitment? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values when it comes to dating and relationships.
What's the appeal of romantic comedies? Although they tend to follow the same predictable formula, they remain popular. Why do you think that is?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 21, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : May 10, 2011
- Cast : Ashton Kutcher , Kevin Kline , Natalie Portman
- Director : Ivan Reitman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content, language and some drug material
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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