No Strings Attached vs. Just Go With It (2011)

 

Can't decide which romantic comedy to take your girlfriend to this Valentine's Day? Hopefully this special Valentine's Day feature will settle the decision. 

Girls hate a man without a plan, especially on the most romantic day of the year. If you're going to take her on a night out to the movies, choose the movie; don't leave it up to her. Now don't be fooled, I didn't say take her to see The Mechanic, you still have to see something she will enjoy, but don't be afraid to make the decision for her. That means the decision is basically between two films - No Strings Attached and Just Go With It. If you're under 17, the decision ends here. No Strings Attached is rated R, so you'll have to see Just Go With It. However, if you're older than 17 (or don't mind sneaking in to a R-rated film), read on:

While both films are "romantic comedies," they have extremely different tones and will appeal to different women. No Strings Attached relies more on romance than comedy, and will appeal to older women in their twenties who can relate to balancing a job and a boyfriend. The film has its cute moments, and your girlfriend may be wishing you were more like Ashton Kutcher by the end of the film, but odds are she will love this one. Now, if watching a romantic comedy with Ashton Kutcher sounds like a prison sentence to you, just remember - Natalie Portman is in this film.

On the other hand, Just Go With It relies much more on comedy than romance. The old saying from the late 1990's "If you've seen one Adam Sandler movie, you've seen them all," still holds true some ten to fifteen years later. Yet, depending on whom you ask, this may not be such a bad thing. While not as romantic as No Strings Attached, this film will appeal to younger woman in their teens and men of all ages. If Adam Sandler is not your sense of humor, just remember - Brooklyn Decker is in this film. In a bikini.

Decision: While Adam Sandler's antics may appeal to men more than Ashton Kutcher's charm, No Strings Attached is a superior film. And hey, it is Valentine's Day, take her to see the film she will enjoy the most.

Winner: No Strings Attached

No Strings Attached (** 1/2)

Cast: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, and Kevin Kline

Director: Ivan Reitman

MPAA: Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug material

Release Date: January 21, 2011

Just Go With It (**)

Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, and Brooklyn Decker

Director: Dennis Dugan

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for frequent crude and sexual content, partial nudity, brief drug references and language

Release Date: February 11, 2011