| Director | Ivan Reitman |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama film, romantic comedy |
| Runtime | 108 min |
| Country | United States |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Box office | $149 million |
Emma Kurtzman and Adam Franklin first meet as teenagers at a summer camp attended by their families. Over the years, they occasionally cross paths but do not stay in touch. As adults, Emma becomes a doctor in Los Angeles, while Adam works as a production assistant for a musical television series. Adam discovers that his father, Alvin, a former television comedy star, is now dating Adam's ex-girlfriend Vanessa. Upset by the news, Adam gets drunk and contacts several women in his phone. He wakes up the next morning on Emma's couch, where her friends tease him for having cried and passed out naked. Emma helps him find his clothes, and the two end up having sex.
They sleep together again at Adam's home and agree to become friends with benefits. Over time, Adam develops romantic feelings for Emma and becomes jealous of her colleague Sam. Emma, who is uncomfortable with emotional involvement, ends their arrangement. However, she later realizes she misses Adam, and after a night of drinking, goes to his apartment, where they sleep together again.
On Adam's birthday, Alvin announces that he plans to have children with Vanessa. Disturbed by the news, Adam leaves the celebration. Emma supports him, and Adam asks her to go on a real date with him on Valentine's Day. Although the date goes well, Emma reiterates that she is not ready for a serious relationship. Adam, wanting more, decides to end their friendship. Six weeks later, at her sister's wedding rehearsal dinner, Emma realizes she wants to be with Adam. She calls him, but he does not reciprocate. She drives to his apartment and sees him arriving with his co-worker Lucy, whom she assumes is his new girlfriend. Heartbroken, she leaves without speaking to him.
That night, as Adam and Lucy begin to get intimate, Vanessa calls to say that Alvin is in the hospital. Adam rushes to the hospital and sees Vanessa waiting outside. She tells him she does not want to have Alvin's children and that she does not like old people. Adam sees his father and leaves. Outside the ER entrance, he finds Emma driving up, having been informed by a colleague. Emma confesses her feelings, and Adam asks her to try having a real relationship, to which she agrees. They attend Emma's sister's wedding together. Alvin recovers and begins dating Lucy, while Adam and Emma begin a committed romantic relationship.