User Reviews

...the "Friend Zone." We've all been in Chris, the main character's, shoes.

The storyline isn't deep - and it's not intended to be. The plot is simple: Guy secretly pines for his best friend, but he's chubby and considered nothing but a friend. After graduating high school, he goes to L.A. to pursue a career, slims down and becomes wealthy and then surprisingly returns home to N.J. only to reunite with his former unrequited love. Despite how successful Chris is in his new life, at his core he's the same and the object of his affection still makes him nervous. Does he pull his head out of his butt and win the girl or does he go back to L.A.? I won't spoil it. But I will say this - See this movie. It's full of laughs and we can all relate to Chris. His family dynamics are hilarious and I guarantee you'll think, if you have siblings, "I've done that". See this flick for entertainment, not for the answer to life's greatest questions. Expect nothing and enjoy everything.

"Just Friends" is about a guy named Chris (Ryan Reynolds) who in high school was an overweight but caring, sweet, and likable guy. Chris wanted to date his best friend Jamie (Amy Smart) but they never did because she wanted to just be friends and date the cool guys. Ten years later, Chris sheds all his weight and is now a big time record producer touring with the hottest pop star Samantha James (Anna Faris). While on their plane to Paris, Chris and Samantha's plane has to make an emergency landing and the plane lands near Chris's old home town. To make matters worst, Chris winds up going into the bar where he runs into his old crush Jamie. So does Chris have what it takes for Jamie and him to be more than just friends?

"Just Friends" is not a great movie by any means but a likable romantic comedy. Sure the movie is predictable but it's a fun and ultimately sweet movie. I actually like the fact that the movie had a nice message in the end which basically said "be yourself and it will pay off in the end." The jokes for the most part worked for me because they were all pretty innocent and didn't really rely on sex gags to sell the movie.

I did however get annoyed by the amount of gay jokes in the film which like I always say are never really that funny and get old very fast. I understand as much as I rant about gay jokes there not going to stop but let's hope that they can be limited. There is only one gay joke in the entire film that works, while there are about 10 in the entire film.

As far as acting goes, I must say it's about time that Ryan Reynolds stars in a decent movie!!! I have been waiting for years to actually go into a theater and see something of his that doesn't totally suck! You see I always wanted to like him but most of the material he has done just didn't appeal to me and every time I saw a movie he was in, I hated it with a passion. I think this role worked for him because he had to play a likable character and while many will say he always plays a likable character I say that he always plays the same sarcastic cool guy character. This role allowed him to still be his normal character for some part but also a likable character as well. Mr. Reynolds has finally gotten out of his box and played a role that wasn't tailor made for him.

As for the rest of the cast, Amy Smart was also very likable as the best friend Jamie. She was honestly a very sweet and caring person and you really wanted her to date Chris at least in the beginning. Anna Faris who again plays the same character in every movie did play her "typical" airhead role. But she played a stereotypical brainless pop star and played it perfectly. And while I must admit I do like pop music, I found her whole performance hilarious. She basically played Jessica Simpson in the movie and there are a few jokes that really imply that's who they were mocking.

The reason I think I actually enjoyed this film was that I could relate to the characters. The main character Chris was like a few people in high school including myself, a really nice guy who was friends with a lot of very pretty girls but never moved past that point because of their image or how they were perceived in school wouldn't allow them to be more than just friends. And while the movie doesn't really seem realistic it is made by Hollywood, which at times gives people a chance to believe that the underdog will come out on top. "Just Friends" isn't going for a Best Picture nomination or even trying to be original but it does a decent job of what its suppose to do and that is provide jokes and some romance which the film does and does it very well.

All in all, "Just Friends" is a guilty pleasure film. It's not one that will do well at box office or be liked by everyone (most critics gave it rather poor reviews) but I don't think it was a film created for critics but a specific limited audience. And while the film's marketing makes this film look like a typical teen movie, I feel it's a bit more mature than that even though some of the characters in the film are almost childlike. Overall "Just Friends" shows how important it is to be yourself and act mature. It is also proof that Ryan Reynolds can play a different character and is actually good at it. As long as you don't go into the theater expecting a film that is original and thought-provoking you should be fine because this movie is a decent holiday romantic comedy that both guys and girls alike can enjoy.

MovieManMenzel's final rating for "Just Friends" is a 7/10 and it will be added to my guilty pleasure section of my DVD collection when it is released on DVD in a few months.

Maybe it's nostalgia, but rewatching this as an adult was about as fun as I remember as a kid. As far as shitty early 2000's romcoms go- this is a pretty good one. I'm realizing now just how many little quibs in this movie I have continued to say throughout the years. With a fun holiday feel to it, its easy to forgive some of the typical movie tropes this movie is littered with. Looks like Ryan Reynolds has always been capable of leading an entertaining comedy.

I am not the greatest fan of Ryan Reynolds. I just think he tries too hard. I guess not everyone watches movies for actors, but I just get annoyed by the guy. Deadpool and Van Wilder were great ones though!

Just Friends is a pretty satisfying movie all around. A former loser turns into a cool business savvy man, and returns to his hometown to win over the girl who friend zoned him years ago. Anna Faris also makes an appearance as a famous pop star, and might be the highlight of the film. It's a really good storyline, and everything pretty much paces well. I also like how it shows both sides of the same person, and overcoming your weaknesses and winning in the end.

I would highly recommend this movie.

7 Stars

Chris (Ryan Reynolds) was the fat kid in high school. Nevertheless, his best friend was the all-American beauty, Jamie (Amy Smart). The night of Jamie's graduation party turns way ugly for Chris, however, and he leaves New Jersey for California without a look in the rear view mirror. Years later, Chris is a big music executive who accidentally gets grounded in his former hometown. There, Chris reconnects with his ditzy mother and his hormone-crazed little brother. But there is one big difference...Chris is buff and attractive! A chance reunion with Jamie at the local pub leaves Chris knowing he is still charmed by her. Does he have any hope of winning her this time around?

This film is the type of movie doctors prescribe for their depressed patients. The laughs never stop and the performers are charming. Reynolds and Smart score big points in their pursuit of a romance which misfires time and time again. Small town realities get a funny send-up, too. If you want a holiday film that dishes out healthy doses of spirited, hilarious comedy and kisses, just do NOT let this one get away. It is a guaranteed grin getter.

I went to see this movie to pass the time, but it is now probably one of the most entertaining comedies i have seen in a long long time. The Cast is rich and the slapstick comedy is hilarious!

Chris is totally in love with his best friend Jamie, but she does not return his feelings. Chris is the put down insecure kid because of his weight. 10 years on hes slim, sexy, rich and confident however he is now an arrogant womaniser, probably fuelled by his unlucky past. He returns home with Ditzy Popstar Samantha (batently a Britney spears mimic) who is one of the main contributers to the comedy, (the scene with the toothpaste is hilarious)

He bumps into Jamie who is amazed to see Chris, but when they go on dates he puts on a "cool boy" front and Jamie doesn't like it, she wants her original "fat" Chris back.

The movie goes on from here, many mishaps and slapstick fights with his hilarious younger brother, and his rivalry for Jamies heart (Chris Klein) Dusty.

I left the cinema laughing, not one dull moment in this movie. However if your a 'hardcore' movie goer who is choosy about plot quality you may not like this. Others who are looking to be cheered up are going to love this Cracker of a Comedy!

Ryan Reynolds is set to be the next Jim Carrey or better!

OK, I'll be honest. When my pal said, "I've brought a good movie for a laugh." The first thing that went through my head, looking at the cover, was 'another boring chick flick'. BOY was I wrong. I swear at some points in this movie I did almost wet myself a little bit. Now, I am not the type of person who sees a film that makes me giggle a bit and then decide that because i laughed a lot, its a great movie. I'm not. I just love the fact that the situations are so real. Everyone can relate to the topic and the humour comes from genuine original slapstick, the likes of which I haven't seen done this well since "meet the parents", and of course 100% certified fresh young comedians of today.

Characters: Ryan Reynolds is fantastic in everything he does. Although I imagine he's a "love him or hate him" kind of actor (very similar to Jim Carrey, although I have never laughed as hard at Jim Carrey as I do with Ryan). His completely inimitable way of delivering these comic lines combined with raw physical performances that would put Jim Carrey to shame just gets me in the funny bone every time.

Anna Farris I have always been wary of. It's a big gamble starting your mainstream career in "Scary Movie" which is an obvious typecast. However, Anna's performance is excellent. She really takes that role and just when you think she can't shock you any more, she does.

Amy Smart doesn't really have a comedic role to play in this movie, which is a shame because as a comedic actress she really is quite something and pleasantly surprised me with her performance as the insane helicopter pilot in "Rat Race". Amy is the normality check in the movie when the other characters are getting a bit too crazy (I often find that insanity ruins good comedy).

Chris Marquette plays Ryan's brother. Somebody give this guy a medal. The play fighting that goes on between Chris and Ryan is the greatest on screen chemistry I have seen in a long time. You do really link to and believe the brotherly bond.

Chris Klein. Chris used to bore me. I though he was your standard pretty boy actor that could get away with an unchallenging side role in a comedy (American Pie), but this movie changed all that for me. I'm actually smiling here just remembering some of the faces he pulls during this movie.

…to wrap up. If you're a Ryan Reynolds fan or like a feel good movie or just plain want to see something funny, then don't miss this film. It guarantees a giggle or 2 and really leaves you feeling great. I loved it.

Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) is an overweight teen and he's in love with his best friend Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart). But in an attempt to proclaim his love, he makes a fool of himself in front of a class party. And Jamie just want to be friends. Now they're grown up and he's not fat anymore. Plus he's a success in the music industry. He has to accompany a ridiculous pop princess Samantha James (Anna Faris). Their jet catches on fire and they land back in his home town. It just might be his chance to be more than friends with Jamie.

Chris is an unlikeable character. And I don't think I rooted for him and Jamie to get together. Anna Faris is playing her character way too broad. At least I thought so, until the pond hockey game with the kids. The whole thing is full of anger, the characters are an unlikeable pathetic mess, and there are so many douchey characters. It's just too hard to root for anybody in this one.

I don't understand some of the brutal reviews that this movie has been getting. Ebert gave it a 'D'. He wanted to focus on Reynold's character losing the weight. Seeing as Roger's always been a chubby guy, that's important to him, but it would have made for more of a more expected plot line. My opinion is closer to Entertainment Weekly's 'B+'. Sure, it's a light romantic comedy, but the performances of Anna Faris and Ryan Reynolds alone are worth the price of admission. I thought the characters were all well-played and the dialog moved the movie along faster than its 96 minutes running time. An excellent date movie. Also, a good movie to see with that person that you're trying to get out of the "friend's zone" because you'll end up talking about the movie afterwords.

This romantic comedy stars Ryan Reynolds as a former high school geek turned trendy Los Angeles music executive. When he gets stuck in his New Jersey home town due to bad weather with a superstar singer he is trying to sign (Anna Faris), he finds himself reunited with his high school crush, (Amy Smart) and discovers she is his true love. Chris Klein is also in this movie, but do we care?

I didn't really think this would be a clever funny movie. It was surprisingly funny. The plot seems to be original but it's obviously predictable. There are a lot of in jokes and I have to say that I laughed many times during this movie. I also have to say that Anna Faris stole this show. She is so funny in her own way. When I see her, I think of her being in the "Scary Movie" series, but she is a great actress and could have a future one day.She's funny by the way she talks and, because of her character in this movie, being a singer, I was laughing while she was performing one of her songs.

"Just Friends" could be a movie that anyone could watch. Friends could watch along with couples. I was surprised that I enjoyed it and how it turned out. 7/10

On several script girl's office walls are different versions of the same chart. Its a derivation of Earl Gardner's wheel he used to compose his Perry mason stories. The idea here is that there are only a few threads to weave into a story of a certain type and only so many ways to put them together.

You need to know this chart. When you consume a story made from one of these, whether it is explicitly used or not, you die a little. You literally die, energy from your soul being sucked into a vortex to anchor those parts of the world we all need for safety.

You die for the common peace, but you die.

The three threads in this little thing are more obvious because there's been less elaboration than usual, fewer decorations of jokes.

This particular spin of the wheel gives you a fat/thin finding yourself story (probably only because fat suit technology has advanced so much.) And it has a big city versus heartland component, duly acted out by human representatives.

And then there's the date movie piece. Boy has girl, boy looses girl, boy gets girl back with uplifting music.

As with many of these things, the text is to "be yourself," to not copy a pattern in order to achieve. But it itself is a cliché swirl.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

This is simply one fine and effective little comedy that is nothing too brilliant or hilarious but is simply a movie that constantly entertains and will surely make you laugh more than once.

The movie is mostly being made enjoyable by its characters. It has some greatly fun characters in it, who of course are over-the-top and perhaps also not the most original once. Nevertheless it works out fine which is also due to the fine acting performance, which I have to say, were better than expected.

I didn't really knew Ryan Reynolds as a comedy actor but he is simply great at it. He plays the main character of the movie, which means that he also mostly gets to carry the movie. He really manages well and plays a good convincing fat guy as well as a good convincing slick music manager/womanizer. Mind you, it's not a double role but it's the same character actually. The movie doesn't really feature the best known comedy actors of this moment but the casting is simply good, with Amy Smart, Anna Faris and Chris Klein all in some good comedy roles.

Of course the story is mostly predictable though and the movie is set around Christmas, which makes this a Christmas movie and got released in late October originally. But seriously, "Just Friends" is not necessarily a Christmas movie and basically can be watched at any time of the year. Luckily it doesn't lay its emphasis on Christmas and the jolly Christmas spirit, like some other comedies released around Christmas would do.

Despite having some over-the-top character, I don't really feel that the movie itself as a whole doesn't ever go over-the-top with its situations. It does has some Will Ferrell of Ben Stiller kind of moments in it so to speak but its style and directing always makes sure that the movie remains a sort of a humble and restrained one with its comedy and I mean this in a positive way. Forced comedy just doesn't always work out that well and "Just Friends" surely doesn't take this risk, which however also has as a consciences though that the movie isn't the best or most memorable one within its genre but the movie serves its purpose and it does not fail to entertain you throughout.

Simply a fine genre movie to watch.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

I'm a guy. Therefore the amount of 'romantic comedies' in my DVD collection is few and far between. However, 'Just Friends' is one of those 'lucky few' which I do dig out and enjoy every few years. Yes, it's no classic and there's nothing new in the overall plot that you haven't seen before in a 'rom-com' type of flick. But, it's funny. And that's all I really ask in anything that's supposed to be a 'comedy.'

It starts off during the high school years of Ryan Reynolds, who is almost unrecognisable in a 'fat suit' while he spends his days dreaming of dating his crush, played by Amy Smart. After he confesses his love - and is promptly rejected - the action skips forwards ten years and we find Reynolds looking more like we know him - a successful music executive - and what happens when he returns to his home town and the two 'friends' meet up again.

Like I say, no prizes for guessing every plot point that occurs throughout the story, but Ryan Reynolds is just so damn good that if you're in the mood for something 'fluffy' then this is certainly it. However, the success of 'Just Friends' can't really be given solely to Reynolds. He's ably aided by his leading ladies, Amy Smart and Anna Farris - the former who provides the heart and emotion of the tale, while the latter steals every scene and gets all the laughs.

There's not too much else to say about the film. Technically, it's as generic as it comes and, if you've seen one romantic comedy then you'll guess how this one plays out. However, like I say, it is funny enough to raise more than a few chuckles (mainly due to Farris' memorable performance!) and, even if you only have it on in the background, you'll still appreciate all that's good about it and be able to put out of your mind just how 'samey' the plot really is.

My fiancé and I went and saw this movie the other day and thought it was great! The humor was well-placed and it was great to see Ryan Reynolds in a movie where he wasn't surrounded by tasteless humor every 5 minutes. Me and my fiancé both agreed that the funniest bit throughout the whole movie was the relationship between Reynolds character and his brother. The slap-fights were great and the one moment of brotherly love was simply hilarious. If you're tired of the raunchy humor of the likes of 40-Year Old Virgin and want a good movie for a date or just as a stand alone movie, this one is great. It's got so many things in it that make it wonderful: Tasteful witty humor, good plot, puts you in the Christmas spirit (but also works as a non-seasonal movie), and gives props to any guy who's been put in the "Friend-zone". My fiancé came out of the movie and said "That makes me feel bad about all the guys I've told them I 'just want to be friends'". So there you go guys--if you got a girl you're crushing on and you think you might be in the "Friend-zone" with her, take her to this movie (even if it's just a "friendly date"). It may break the ice and she could see what kind of girl she's being. I found my 'one and only', but I've been in the friend-zone several times, so I was able to relate to this movie in many ways.

This is just an all around feel-good movie. I was very happy with the 14 bucks I spent on this flick.

I was flipping through some movie channels late one night, just looking for a decent movie to watch before I fell asleep. Well, I stumbled across this one, and before I even knew it, I had been watching for 45 minutes. The reason I started watching it was because I, too, had gone through a similar situation, where I was crazy about a girl in school, was considered a "friend", etc etc etc. I kind of "felt" for the character, Chris, during the first part of the movie. Well, I am still wondering why I let myself watch this whole movie. It was extremely predictable, it was poorly written, very unrealistic, and just plain bad. Without ruining the scenes, or giving away too much, you'll just have to take my word for it. After an hour of watching, I wanted to go to bed, but was actually laughing at how *rediculous* it was. The scenes which involved Chris going to see Jamie were just pathetic. The way people acted in certain scenes is *not* how people act in real life. Too many times I found myself scoffing, saying, "what the heck! People do *not* do that". "Accidents" that happened in the movie were blown way out of proportion, and "dumb" characters were really overused. It's just a big waste. I am actually mad at myself for losing two hours of my life, and two hours of sleep, on this piece of trash. This movie is not for intelligent people. It is for dumb teenagers with nothing else to do. I now feel ashamed to admit that I was one of the idiots that watched it.

I read some of the reviews on here and this movie is HILARIOUS! Someone wrote this movie should have had an R rating. I guess this person lives in a hut. There is no sex or nudity in this film. Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart and Ana Farris play off of each other in this movie. I guess people want this movie to be an Academy Award winning movie. It's pure entertainment. You will laugh the entire time. Ana Farris makes this movie. A must watch movie.

Very funny movie. Anna Faris steals the show. Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart were great together. A very funny and relatable "going back to your home town" story.

I saw this movie on a flight from Anaheim to Newark, NJ. It did not make me want to jump out of the plane rather than continue watching it. It was okay, a mildly amusing diversion. There are cute parts, and sweet parts, and parts that are annoying because they're directed just so heavy-handedly. But on the whole I'd say it's a sweet movie that made it a little easier to be cramped on a flight next to two guys who looked like the "before" Chris.

Very fake fat suit and very fake New Jersey. I spent the movie looking at the deep snow (that is never cleared from the roads for the entire movie, which spans days) and tire chains and freezing actors, and thought, there's no way that was filmed in New Jersey. If there were still snow on the road 3 hours after it stopped falling, most Jersyites would burn down the town hall.