The movie borrows a method from "(500) Days of Summer" by flashing back 15 years. A boy and a girl are sitting on a bench together during summer camp. The boy, upset about his parents getting divorced, receives comfort from this sweet young thing. He gets turned down when he makes an awkward sexual proposition.

The next scene takes place 10 years later at a Michigan fraternity house. The pajama party theme finds Adam (Ashton Kutcher from "Valentine's Day," "What Happens in Vegas," "A Lot Like Love" and "Guess Who") wearing a tie and a pair of boxers while Emma (Natalie Portman from "Black Swan," "Brothers" and "Closer") is clothed in a pair of red long johns dating back to pioneer days. While all the other women get drunk and act hot, Emma calmly asks Adam to attend a family function in Ann Arbor the next day. It turns out to be her father's funeral.

Continuing the friendship thread like a modern stepchild of the classic romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally," Adam and Emma cross paths again one year ago in Los Angeles. Adam is a production assistant on a "Glee"-like TV show set in a high school featuring lots of singing and dancing. Emma is working 80 hours a week fulfilling the requirements of a medical residency.

Emma gives Adam her telephone number, but gets the impression he will never call her.

The movie then picks up in the present day. Adam goes to visit his father Alvin (Kevin Kline from "The Pink Panther" and "A Fish Called Wanda"), a former TV celebrity. They smoke marijuana and his dad announces that Adam's ex-girlfriend Vanessa is living with him. Adam gets into a fistfight with his dad. He goes on an alcoholic bender and calls every girl he knows looking to have sex to ease the pain. He ends up naked on the couch at Emma's apartment.

Fearing that she may end up with a broken heart, Emma sets the rules of their relationship. They will use each other to satisfy their active libidos. She only wants someone "in my bed at 2 a.m." As the title implies, there will be no jealousy, lying, fighting, flowers, cuddling, affectionate hand holding or eating breakfast together.

The only thing putting a damper on this "friends with benefits" arrangement is if one party falls madly in love and wants to take things to the next level. The big question mark is who falls first.

This guilty pleasure starts 2011 off with an ecstatic bang. Portman and Kutcher have a sizzling hot chemistry. The movie takes some unexpected turns to arrive at a predictable destination. It is filled with indelibly cute moments and winning dialogue that is hilariously raunchy. Portman shows her versatility in this romantic comedy. Kutcher uses his physicality to generate laughs.

The supporting characters do their part in insuring an entertaining good time.

The musical soundtrack provided by composer John Debney ("Iron Man 2" and "Valentine's Day") includes a unique mix tape dedicated to every woman's monthly visitor that should be a hot commodity.

Scenic backgrounds are provided by the Southern California locations of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara. The costume department provides eye-catching outfits.

The streamlined running time of 108 minutes proceeds at a smooth pace that holds your interest. The movie's title was changed because a similar film "Friends with Benefits" starring Mila Kunis (ironically Portman's rival ballet dancer in "Black Swan") and Justin Timberlake is being released July 22.

The movie provides a valuable lesson about grabbing all the gusto you can, for you only go around once in life. The pleasantly cheerful mood makes this a perfect fit for either a romantic date or a girls' night out.

Review By:
Keith Cohen "The Movie Guy"