The concept of friends with benefits is nothing new to most college students, but it’s taken to a whole new level in “No Strings Attached,” starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. The movie explores the flipside of the question posed in the 1989 film “When Harry Met Sally”—can men and women just fool around and not develop feelings for each other?

The movie begins 15 years back in time, when Adam (Kutcher) meets Emma (Portman) at a summer camp. The two continue to run into each other by chance over the years but never fully reconnect until a fateful night when a drunken, heartbroken Adam texts Emma and crashes at her apartment. After a hilarious morning after, several sober hookups and a series of mishandled situations, Emma and Adam decide to be what they refer to as “sex friends.”

The friends with benefits situation becomes a sort of game for Emma and Adam—they set pragmatic yet hilarious rules and have each other on speed dial to hookup at any hour of the day. It seems as if neither of them have any issues with using each other shamelessly for sex, especially Emma; she describes her aversion to relationships as an “emotional peanut allergy” at one point in the film.

It becomes clear that both of them are falling for each other in their own odd way, and they start to realize it when they wake up one day spooning—with clothes on, which according to Emma is the worst kind of spooning. At this point, drastic measures are required. They decide to hook-up with other people which ends in more hilarious—albeit excessive—drunken scenes of jealousy and general silliness.

Portman continues to prove her ability to play a vast variety of roles in “No Strings Attached.” Viewers who watched her Golden Globe winning performance in “Black Swan” will get to experience an entirely different character. Portman’s portrayal of the emotionally standoffish Emma seems far-fetched at times but is always retrieved, even in the typically cheesy ending.

Kutcher also performed surprisingly well, reprising his typical role as the goofy guy friend–boyfriend–whatever from various romantic comedies. His character has heart, and Kutcher’s sweet “good boy” personality really shines through in this role. He may play a semi-typical rom-com guy, but you’ll be surprised throughout the film by his wittiness and creativity.

While Portman and Kutcher are definitely the main dish in this film, the supporting cast adds depth and even more comic relief. Kevin Kline, Lake Bell and Greta Gerwig are solidly developed supporting roles, and the film would most definitely not be as successful without them.

Overall, “No Strings Attached” is a well-written, well casted, feel-good romantic comedy. A superbly crafted script and the pre-Valentine’s Day timing make this film an in-theaters must see that is worth every cent of a $9 ticket.