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November 08, 2005
You and I, movie, I think we should stay Just Friends
When one goes to movies, at least for myself, it is for the absolute rapture of escapism. That’s why, as I recall my middle school days, I cringe at the premise of this movie. The thought of awkward metallic smiles, extreme acne and all things puberty come racing back to the forefront of my mind. That terrifies me. Who wants to remember being so socially inept, much less wonder how long a one-note joke can carry?
Luckily, Just Friends is more about how the awkward guy can grow up to be handsome, rich and a suave record company representative; another one of those groups I can identify with, sans record job of course.
Moving along to the review, though, the movie opens with poor Chris (Ryan Reynolds) in all his pudgy, boy band singing glory, preparing to confess his love to his best friend Jamie (Amy Smart). What could be greater than watching a movie that opens with actors who are nearly 30 playing high schoolers? Well, I’ll tell you, nothing; and absolutely nothing comes close to this one either, not even Cruel Intentions.
However, before all hope was lost to my wallowing in misery over Vanda Smirkofsky from 7th grade, the movie, as I said earlier, departs from reality and suddenly Chris is the ‘coolest guy on the block’ who’s lost a bit of his heart. Luckily for him and his heart, though, while flying with his ditzy one-time fling who also happens to be mega pop star Samantha James (Anna Faris), the plane is forced to make an emergency landing in his hometown of New Jersey where his love still lives. All this affirms for me is that you should never attempt to microwave aluminum.
From there, in all good romantic comedy fashion, he proceeds to try and woo her while fending off challenges which come in the form of the deranged ex-lover pop star Samantha James, and a guitar playing pseudo-sweetheart with a dark side named Dusty (Chris Klein).
Thank goodness that this brand of humor, which wears thin faster than Four Brothers’ plot, is broken up with other slapstick humor involving Chris’ younger brother. No matter what anyone says, I believe this change of pace helps save this movie from plodding along even more. But then again, only so much can be done for a B movie.
So, readers, remember to mark on your calendars that come Nov. 23, a movie that’s probably more mediocre than I’m letting on is opening up at theaters across the nation; that chill you’re feeling isn’t the wind, even if this is Minnesota.
Posted by msveum at November 8, 2005 12:13 PM