Better than any review had indicated . . .

Rating: Null/10 (28 July 2011)

I strongly suspect that I am in the distinct minority in terms of going to see movies to see what's good about them, not to look for flaws, errors, inconsistencies and weaknesses and then build my overall opinion upon those deficiencies.
"Friends with Benefits" was a surprisingly good movie all the way through. I learned just how accomplished Justin Timberlake is. Singer, dancer and actor. Mila Kunis is his match emotionally in this film.
It must be very difficult to create a romantic comedy based upon human frailty, based upon the characters' deepest yearnings and deepest fears. I think the movie did a good job of doing that. Even Woody Harrelson's character who started out as a caricature in the beginning of the movie, evanesced into a caring, compassionate, supportive human being - behind the facade of his seemingly crass humor.
As always, Richard Jenkins was an actor that all of the characters could hang their performances upon.
This is a movie with very touching, rather endearing humor,inclusive, not exclusive humor.
I was pleasantly surprised, especially after reading many reviews which almost steered me away from watching it at all.