Just Friends

This movie had some good ideas, but never gelled.

Despite a rich premise, Just Friends ultimately fails to live up to its early potential, settling into broad comedy that shortchanges the romantic possibilities.

Funnier than it has any right to be, thanks to Reynolds’ charisma and Faris's bubbleheaded blonde.

Painfully light on laughs.

There are other flaws, but for the most part, Cruel Intentions helmer Roger Kumble delivers an enjoyably anarchic romp.

Playing the incredibly spoiled (and remarkably talentless) Jessica Simpson meets Britney Spears meets Bimbo Barbie rock star Samantha James, Faris brings so much gleefully archaic fireball charisma to her portrayal I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

A still-enjoyable cross between “Savage” Steve Holland films of the 1980s with mid-2000s bro comedy (for better or worse) and the sort of acceptably corny Christmas movie that swamps streamers every season.

There were so many high-gross-out, low-IQ comedies made during the 2000s that it often felt like they rolled off a conveyor belt. Just Friends is exactly that sort of dumdum fare, yet it fares a bit better than most.

The appealing (albeit familiar) premise is employed to distressingly (and predominantly) lackluster effect by Kumble...

An unexpectedly enjoyable film featuring fine performances from Amy Smart, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Klein, and Julie Hagerty.