NO HARD FEELINGS REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Since impressing critics with her Oscar nominated performance in the chilling drama, Winter’s Bone, in 2010, Jennifer Lawrence has become known as a talented actor. At the 85th Academy Awards, she won her first Oscar for her role as Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence was also nominated for her performances in American Hustle and Joy. One of her most memorable roles is Katniss Everdeen in the thrilling Hunger Games franchise. What I’ve always liked about Lawrence is that, aside from her impressive acting skills, in interviews promoting her films, she’s always come across as funny and likeable. Although she has appeared in comedies in the past (including Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Joy and Don’t Look Up), her latest film, No Hard Feelings, marks the first time Lawrence has appeared in a mainstream comedy that has no Oscar potential, with all the aforementioned films, aside from Joy, receiving a Best Picture nomination. It’s a crowd pleasing comedy that is sure to entertain audiences looking for an original film that is a lot of fun to watch.

Set in New York, No Hard Feelings follows Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence), a young woman working as an Uber driver, who is facing bankruptcy after her car is repossessed. She accepts an unusual Craigslist posting in which her new employers are parents who have noticed that their introverted 19-year-old son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) is showing no interest in dating or having sex. In exchange for a Buick Regal, Maddie agrees to become their son's "girlfriend," "date his brains out," and help him to join adult life.

The premise sounds absurd, however, it was inspired by a real Craigslist ad that was discovered by two of the producers, who sent it over to director Gene Stupnitsky, which inspired his script, which he co-wrote with John Phillips, for No Hard Feelings. The tone is very similar to Stupnitsky’s previous film, Good Boys, which was released in 2019, as both are raunchy comedies that are heavy on profanity, with the film frequently referencing sex. It’s a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre as, instead of focusing on a man and a woman who are the same age falling in and out of love, it focuses on the unlikely relationship between a woman in her early thirties trying to win over a nineteen year old in order to win a car. No Hard Feelings is one of the best romantic comedies to be released recently as it provides equal amounts of both, making for a thoroughly entertaining watch. However, those who are offended by swear words and uncomfortable with sex and nudity are best off avoiding the film.

Although Maddie isn’t the most likeable of characters that Lawrence has played, she’s certainly one of the funniest. Lawrence’s most recent roles have been serious and intense, especially in films such as mother!, Red Sparrow and last year’s Causeway, so it was refreshing to see her in a role where she looks like she’s having a lot of fun, with her naturally witty and lively personality shining through Maddie. She shares chemistry with Andrew Barth Feldman, who is equally as impressive as the socially awkward Percy. Feldman has admitted to dropping out of Harvard University in order to appear in No Hard Feelings, and judging by his performance, it was the right decision. At first, Percy is surprised that an older woman is interested in him, however, it doesn’t take long for them to become close and, as he spends more time with Maddie, he becomes more mature.

Ahead of its release, early preview screenings for No Hard Feelings in the United States and United Kingdom have already described a positive response from audiences and it’s easy to understand why as it’s a wildly entertaining romantic comedy that sees Jennifer Lawrence delivering one of her funniest performances yet.

8/10