Directed By: Gene Stupnitsky
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, and Natalie Morales
Rate: 4/5
There is no question that Jennifer Lawrence has been a big name in Hollywood for the past decade. Her latest project, “No Hard Feelings” brings up the question, is Jennifer Lawrence old?
The film follows Maddie, played by Lawrence in a role that almost seems written for her: a Montauk townie who works as a bartender and an Uber driver in order to keep her mothers house in her name. After losing a battle with the bank, Maddie gets her car repossessed, thus slashing her income in half. After finding a Craigslist ad for a free car, the only catch is the buyer must date the lister’s son Percy and get him to come out of his shell before he leaves for Princeton that fall. Maddie jumps at the opportunity and begins to date Percy. The thirteen-year age difference provides a ton of comedic situations and adds to the greater good of the film.
While the film is genuinely hilarious, what gives “No Hard Feelings” that extra boost is the character depth each character possesses. While Maddie and Percy try to get to know each other, audiences get to know the characters too. Their dynamic relationship provides that connection to viewers and makes the film a lot easier to watch.
Director Gene Stupnitsky is the creative mastermind behind a slate of the funniest films and TV shows this decade. These projects include “Good Boys”, “Jury Duty”, and “Bad Teacher”. The film is based on a real Craigslist ad seen by Stupnitsky. When asked about “No Hard Feelings”, Lawrence commented,
“I didn’t want to tackle any genre. I didn’t want to work when I got this script, and I read it and it was the funniest script I’d ever read in my life, I quickly changed my tune and we were on set four months later”.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film received an 87% audience rating but only a 70% critics rating. This may be due to the raunchy undertones of the film. Critics claim the film seems just a little too fictitious in the comedy world, bringing story and comedy head to head.
“No Hard Feelings” is the funniest film being released this summer, nearly anyone can relate to the characters in the film, and is the perfect feel-good movie that Summer 2023 needed.
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