Gene Stupnitsky, the director, collaborates with Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence for his second feature film, No Hard Feelings, produced by Columbia Pictures. Stupnitsky pens the screenplay with John Philips.
Maddie (Lawerence) is a 32-year-old Montauk, Long Island resident who has cultivated a carefree and sex-positive attitude. Despite working as a bartender and ride-share driver to make ends meet, Maddie remains focused on living life to the fullest. She can become frustrated when wealthy vacationers arrive during the summer, but she perseveres nonetheless. Maddie's dedication to her work and outlook on life set her apart.
In the eyes of Maddie, men are considered to be disposable objects. She only has two close friends, Sara (played by Natalie Morales) and Jim (played by Scott MacArthur). Maddie has been concentrating all her attention on her house. However, she has recently become aware that she might lose it due to unpaid taxes and reduced income following the towing of her car.
Maddie came across a Craigslist ad posted by the affluent Beckers (Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti), who are looking for a young woman to date their 19-year-old son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), who struggles socially. Maddie sees this as an opportunity to solve her difficult situation. If she agrees to spend time with Percy before he goes to Princeton in the autumn, the Beckers will gift her a Buick Regal. Maddie is interested in the car and doesn't mind a casual relationship.
On paper, No Hard Feelings is ripe for gross-out potty humor. However, the script takes a different approach to the premise. The idea of an older woman/younger man relationship has been explored in various films, including Stealing Home, Oh What A Night, and Private Lessons. These movies have portrayed the narrative from the perspective of a male protagonist.
The strength in No Hard Feelings comes from the performance of Lawerence. The Oscar winner isn't a stand-up comedian, but she has impressively sharp comedic timing. Her performance in the film was impressive. She displayed great resilience, delivering humorous lines such as "Mind if I touch your Wiener?" with a playful tone. She even engages in a fight scene against a trio of opponents, all while completely nude. Her energy and enthusiasm on screen are a delight to watch.
Andrew Barth Feldman's portrayal of Percy adds a delightful touch to the story. Feldman's youthful appearance adds a layer of endearing vulnerability to his character, while Maddie's task feels authentic and exciting. Percy's first drink and awkward interactions with the opposite sex are depicted naturally and believably, making you root for him. As the story progresses, we learn more about Percy's personality, and everything becomes clear.
No Hard Feelings may not be as funny as other the summer movie season two other R-rated comedies, Joy Ride and The Blackening, but Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman's great chemistry makes it worth watching at least once.
Final Grade : B
No Hard Feelings is in theaters now.
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