Just Friends: Review By Solar XI

The film opens in 1995, where Chris Brander is invited to Jamie Palomino's graduation party, who also is his best friend. He confesses his feelings for her by writing them in her yearbook. When her yearbook is taken by her ex-boyfriend Tim, Chris is humiliated when Tim reads his section to the entire party. Chris is humiliated when Jamie doesn't have the same feeling and says she loves him like a brother. Chris vows to leave New Jersey and be more successful than everyone.

Ten years later Chris is a music producer in Los Angeles. Just before Christmas, he is forced to take pop singer Samantha James to Paris so she can sign to the label. On the plane, Samantha neglects to remove the aluminum foil from her food and puts it in the microwave. This causes the plane to catch fire and make an emergency landing in New Jersey. Chris takes Samantha to his mother's house for one night where he is haunted by his high school years and his love for Jamie.

Chris faces a number of problems between himself, Samantha, his love for Jamie, competition with a paramedic and his younger brother.

The film is a well thought comedy that makes you think about your own loves, male or female. The number of problems Chris faces throughout the story may not happen in your life but you understand the general idea. Everyone wants the girl or guy of their dreams and this story catches the difficulties of making the dream come true.

Ryan Reynolds is amazingly funny as Chris. He brings the sarcasm on top of the general humor and is also very funny with Christopher Marquette, his on-screen brother. The bully/fight sequences between Chris and his brother makes you reflect on your own siblings. Amy Smart brings that "hot chick" that everybody wants but is very clueless about Chris' attraction to her. Chris Klein is also funny as the former nerd turned paramedic who was turned down by Amy ten years earlier, who plans to seduce and humiliate her. Anna Faris is very sadistic as Samantha James, the self centered pop singer who is very aggressive with Chris and very sexual.

The film is well directed and well written. It doesn't hurt to have generally good movies with a great cast. Some elements of the film are not for children but more like teenagers. The film is definitely worth watching.