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No Strings Attached
No Strings Attached

Second conditional

Date: Mar 09 2011

Themes: Romance

Grammar: Second Conditional

Intro

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After making the intense thriller Black Swan, Natalie Portman probably wanted an easy, relaxed acting experience that wouldn’t demand too much of her. She found the perfect film in No Strings Attached, a romantic comedy about two friends who try to have an easy, relaxed relationship that doesn’t demand too much of them.

But is it ever possible to have a relationship without all the expectations, jealousy, fighting and flowers? Trying to have a physical relationship with someone without any deeper feelings getting involved can be like trying to have your cake and eat it too. Find out if Ella and Jason think it’s possible to have a relationship with no strings attached.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Ella

Ella

Jason

Jason

Ella:  No Strings Attached. Story of my life, Jason.

Jason:  Really?

Ella:  Kind of. You know. One of the stories of my life.

Jason:  Oh wow.

Ella:  And now it’s being played out in a movie with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher.

Jason:  Yeah, I mean, I guess they are friends who decide to have a physical relationship without having a romantic relationship.

Ella:  I think it’s hard. It doesn’t seem like it’s possible, unless it’s one of those one night stand situations where you don’t see the person again. I feel like if there was already an established relationship, such as a friendship, it would be difficult to do that.

Jason:  Totally. I mean, it just seems like why settle for that, I guess, in a way. I guess the characters in the movie have their own reasons, like Natalie Portman is a doctor who doesn’t want any distractions. But you know, I just sort of…I’m like…I see that and I’m like, “Natalie Portman, I will gladly commit to you! There’s no need to have this just-sex relationship with Ashton Kutcher, OK?”

Ella:  Exactly. It’s hard ‘cause it’s like, Natalie Portman, what is she doing with Ashton Kutcher, you know? She just did Black Swan and now she’s in this movie. It’s baffling.

Jason:  It is baffling. But I don’t know, I mean, they certainly won’t be the last to try friends with benefits, you know?

Ella:  Definitely not.

Jason:  I don’t understand why, it’s kind of a consensus that it doesn’t work, yet people continue to try that.

Ella:  I know, you just think maybe…maybe.

Jason:  Maybe we’ll be different.

 

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Discussion

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Ella has had relationships in the past which either she or the guy wanted to be no strings attached. They wanted the relationship to be relaxed and without a commitment. But she doesn’t think it’s a good idea.

In the new movie No Strings Attached, two friends attempt to have a physical relationship without any romance or commitment. Jason doesn’t know why Natalie Portman’s character would settle for that kind of relationship.

Ella and Jason agree that when it comes to relationships, no strings attached just doesn’t work.

Do you think it’s possible to have a relationship with no strings attached? Is it a good idea for friends to get romantically involved?

 

Comments

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sadegh007

sadegh007

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Where Negri? Do not stay alone

I love you, God rest his eyes…

05:56 PM Jun 12 2012 |

sadegh007

sadegh007

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

If you’ve seen one place

Was seen between sleep and dream

Shabnam was like watching a familiar

I had seen the flowers

05:53 PM Jun 12 2012 |

Crisinha

Crisinha

Brazil

Hey, Julito and everyone.

Motivated by this discussion, I went to the movies last weekend and watched the two movies mentioned in the lesson above -Black Swan and No Strings Attached. Both are great. But the Black Swan is amazing, in my opinion, of course.

Regarding what you said, Julito, I understand your point, but it's different, because, if Jim is in love with Mary, then, even if they make a deal like " No Strings Attached"... still, he will start a 'relationship' expecting something more, just like in the movie, provided that people in love do this kind of thing. I can totally understand that, i think it's normal, and I believe most people have already gone through a similar situation.

What I was saying in my former comment, however, was that I would feel a complete hollow person if I stayed in a relationship without having any expectation, any feeling of love. I don't see how two people, at this state, can be ever happy.

But, if one loves the other, even if he is not loved, then, for me, it's a totally different case… and it happens a lot… and most times, unintentionally or not, the other takes some advantage of the vulnerability of the first and causes a lot of pain.

Best,

Cris

06:33 AM Mar 23 2011 |

manola2311

manola2311

Peru

I really don't think so because sometimes u can handle what u feel and u start saying that felling in love is impossible in that kind of "friends with benefits" and it cant become true.. but at last u fell in love.. even if u try not to .. but well is my opinion ..

03:41 AM Mar 23 2011 |

javier armando

Peru

if you take things in a cool way, a relationship with no strings attached may work.But if you felt in love since the first time then it wont work.

09:57 PM Mar 15 2011 |

dkattleya

dkattleya

Indonesia

it can be true, that's what i'm saying, they can go to the next level but they have to be ready if the romance won't work, it can hurt one of them of course, so it's just a matter of whether they are willing to take a chance or rather stay in friendship knowing that it may get hurt if it doesn't work

05:12 AM Mar 15 2011 |

Veta_JD

Veta_JD

Russian Federation

It may be, but this kind of relationship will not make these people happy. Between the two must be at least a little romantic if they want to have a real relationship. Look on relationship into any pair of wolves or swens, even they have so much care and romantic, but we are people, we have to stand conditions in our relationship

09:55 AM Mar 14 2011 |

Sdhuri

Sdhuri

India

Nice

03:50 AM Mar 13 2011 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

Crisinha,  Yes, I agree with you ,too painful , but suppose that Jim is in love with Mary and he is happy to have her around , at the same time he is afraid not to be loved, really loved by Mary, at least he has through this friendship a level of intimacy with her. Personally, I wouldn't like to be caught  in this situation. When people are in love they do very silly things .

 

03:53 PM Mar 12 2011 |

Crisinha

Crisinha

Brazil

I can't understand that.

I mean, why would somebody start a relationship knowing it's not going to go anywhere???

What kind of motivation can a person have to continue a relationship, if not love or something alike?

In my opinion, just sex is not a good reason, I mean, not enough to keep one motivated to stay with another. I think it would be tiresome and empty.

Besides, it's "dangerous" too, because it doesn't  keep you from falling in love anyway, which, under the circumstances, must be way too painful.

02:17 AM Mar 12 2011 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

 Candycandice   . Sometimes friendship     can evolve that way , it might happen that they     can work out well ,if not ,bye , bye friendship and love.  

08:25 PM Mar 11 2011 |

 julito

julito

Argentina


 yes John , mind can be very tricky sometimes.

08:18 PM Mar 11 2011 |

john

johnSuper Member!

United States

There are always strings, they're just invisible sometimes…

07:35 PM Mar 11 2011 |

Zaccarias

Zaccarias

Brazil

@ dkattleya

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108101/

07:18 PM Mar 11 2011 |

dkattleya

dkattleya

Indonesia

@Zaccarias: Oh, is it? okay i will try if I can find the movie. Thanks

02:27 AM Mar 11 2011 |

Zaccarias

Zaccarias

Brazil

About true relationship I suggest a movie called “Shadowlands". It is about C. S. Lewis' marriage, and will give us a good idea about a relationship started with "no strings attached". But it is a true history.

May God bless you all.

PS: It is a sad movie like "PS: I love you".

12:40 PM Mar 10 2011 |

dkattleya

dkattleya

Indonesia

@ Andy: Wow, so did you have chit chat with Natalie and Mary Kate? So what do you think about this issues? we did not hear any idea from you about this relationship, haha @All: Yeah, i guess all of us want a serius relationship with string attached, right and about relationship from best friend to lovers, it's still a dilema though, although i think it's okay but on the other hand, like Ingrydmm comment that if the romance does not work out, one of them will get hurt and it could end the friendship

05:42 AM Mar 10 2011 |

sofree

sofree

China

Come on, Ashton Kutcher is not that bad. “The Butterfly Effect” is good, and he won the contest again CNN on twitter. At least he married Demi Moore!

To have a relationship with no strings attached, it doesn't make sense to me. It easily ends up with at least one person gets hurt. So why?

05:12 AM Mar 10 2011 |

ingrydmm

ingrydmm

Brazil

Yes… Julito is right!

02:05 AM Mar 10 2011 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

 I quite agree with Ella, first of all, they are emotional  involved , now they have decided to take the relationship  to the physical plane ,the problem is , the moment one of them  start to feel  a  more profound feeling  for his/her  friend, and is not  equally loved ,both  are going head-on to a  disastrous  break apart. 

 

 

 

07:24 PM Mar 09 2011 |

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