It's no mystery that romantic comedies and 'chick flicks' are generally negatively received by filmgoers and oftentimes pitted off as guilty pleasures. Despite the low expectations audiences have for the genre, "No Strings Attached' will surprise those who view it - men and women alike.

The film is about two friends, Adam (Kutcher) and Emma (Portman), who embark on a non-committal sexual relationship and the subsequent consequences that arise when feelings change. Despite the almost obvious plot line the movie still surprises, in the best ways possible.

From the moment the film started people were laughing in their seats - and not the quaint chuckles usually heard in romantic comedies - but full out bend-over laughing and it never stopped. The difference here is that usually romantic comedies are anything but comedies, the jokes are never funny and the laughs generally come from making fun of the overly corny lines.

In "No Strings Attached," however, the humor is real and at times even raunchy. The writing is a perfect mix between Judd Apatow-type jokes and a realistic dialogue of a very common relationship nowadays. Every conversation the characters had seemed real, the dialogue felt natural and wasn't glamorized at all. 

It is no surprise that producers Ivan Reitman and Joe Medjuk (Ghostbusters, Old School) took one look at Elizabeth Merriweather's screenplay and knew that they had a good movie on their hands and it was Merriweather's screenplay that attracted Portman to the film. This is screenwriter Merriweather's first produced film, and she's one to watch. Involved from the get-go, Portman not only plays the quirky commitment-phobe to a T but was also involved in the production and development of the film, earning her a producer credit.

Even though the film is sexually charged and shockingly funny, the film's greatest asset is its supporting cast. Kutcher and Portman play realistically likable lovers/friends but the real scene stealers of the film are those who play their best friends. Mindy Kaling (The Office) and Greta Gerwig play Emma's outlandish roommates and best friends with impeccable comedic timing. This is equally true for Adam's two friends played by Jake Johnson (Get Him to the Greek) and Ludacris, who are outrageously funny every time they are on screen. These four actors, coupled with more comedic performances from Kevin Kline (who plays Adam's pot smoking, playboy father) and Lake Bell (Adam's awkward nerdy coworker) take this film to the next level. 

The film is more multi-faceted than one would expect and that is what separates it from most romantic comedies. As is expected, the film is predictable and sometimes the one-liners fall flat, but overall it speaks to the younger generation of casual relationships and confusion. Where most romantic comedies focus on sweep-you-off-your-feet romance, "No Strings Attached" focuses on the comedy that arises when you explore unconventional relationships.

Full of genuine humor, just enough sex and a believable relationship, this film marks a new direction for 'romantic comedies' and is a refreshing step forward for this sort of romantic comedy. 

To reach reporter Tina de la Torre, click here.