“No Hard Feelings,” Gene Stupnitsky’s summer comedy, starts off with a hilarious and unfortunate situation for its protagonist, Maddie. After a one-night stand with an Italian stranger, Maddie wakes up to find her car being impounded by her ex-boyfriend, Gary. Maddie is already in a tough spot financially, with thousands of dollars in property taxes to pay and a bartending gig that doesn’t cover all her expenses. And now, she’s carless too.
However, Maddie’s luck is about to change when she stumbles upon a peculiar Craigslist ad. A wealthy couple, Allison and Laird Becker, is looking for someone to casually date their son, Percy, and help boost his confidence before college. In return, they promise to give their old Buick to the person who succeeds in this task. Maddie sees this as an opportunity to solve her financial woes and, without a car, rollerblades to the Becker’s home for an interview.
Maddie manages to convince Allison and Laird that she’s the right person to help Percy. However, she must keep her arrangement with the parents a secret and stage a meet-cute with Percy. Their first encounter happens at the animal shelter where Percy works, and Maddie comes on strong, only to be rejected by the socially awkward teen. As Maddie and Percy spend more time together, they realize they have more in common than they initially thought, and a friendship starts to develop.
“No Hard Feelings” is a refreshing and low-stakes comedy that pays homage to the raunchy comedies of the early 2000s. Stupnitsky, known for his work on “The Office,” infuses the film with wry and awkward humor, especially during Maddie’s rollerblading adventure and her interview with the Beckers. Jennifer Lawrence shines in the role of Maddie, bringing both sharp wit and emotional depth to the character. Her chemistry with Andrew Barth Feldman, who plays Percy, is delightful to watch.
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The film explores the generational divide between Maddie and Percy, with Maddie constantly questioning Percy’s lack of typical young adult behavior. She finds it puzzling that he doesn’t drink, doesn’t know how to drive, and isn’t constantly horny. These differences between Gen Z and elder millennials provide ample material for comedic moments throughout the film. However, the “What’s wrong with your generation?” running joke can feel a bit tired by the end.
As the film progresses, it shifts from raunchy comedy to a more sentimental tone. The bond between Maddie and Percy is based on the strength of their friendship, and their journey together helps them discover more about themselves. The transition to a more emotional narrative isn’t seamless, and the story takes some clunky turns to keep the plot moving. Nevertheless, the film’s commitment to exploring the characters’ growth and underlying emotional depth is endearing.
“No Hard Feelings” is a charming and chuckle-inducing comedy that brings together laughter and heart. It may not have audiences rolling on the floor with laughter, but it offers a satisfying and enjoyable movie experience. Jennifer Lawrence’s standout performance, coupled with the comedic talents of the supporting cast, makes this film a delightful summer watch.
In terms of the film’s production, “No Hard Feelings” features an impressive cast, including Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Hasan Minhaj, and Matthew Broderick. Gene Stupnitsky serves as the director and co-writer alongside John Phillips. The film is distributed by Columbia Pictures and produced by Excellent Cadavers, Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
With a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes, “No Hard Feelings” is rated R, catered to adult audiences who appreciate comedy with a touch of sentimentality. The film showcases the talents of its cinematographer, Eigil Bryld, production designer Russell Barnes, costume designer Kirston Mann, editor Brent White, and composers Mychael Danna and Jessica Rose Weiss. The casting director, Rich Delia, ensures a stellar ensemble that brings the characters to life on screen.
In conclusion, “No Hard Feelings” is a charming and funny summer comedy that offers a delightful mix of laughter and heart. Jennifer Lawrence’s performance, combined with the well-crafted humor and heartfelt moments, make it a worthwhile watch. With its homage to raunchy comedies and exploration of generational differences, the film provides an entertaining and relatable movie experience.
