“No Hard Feelings” Review
Andre Barth Feldman (Left) and Jennifer Lawrence star in “No Hard Feelings” where Lawrence has to date a 19-year-old in order to get a car. You figure out how that works.
Earlier this year, Jennifer Aniston discussed how there’s been a growing backlash to “Friends” with some people finding some of the jokes “offensive.” While I, for one, think some of the jokes people take issue with, as well as the show’s lack of diversity, are more dated and a product of the time than offensive, Aniston made a good point when she said “I don’t think there was a sensitivity like there is now.” Don’t be mistaken, I don’t think that we should use films to intentionally destroy people, but we also need to laugh dammit.
I love ridiculous summer comedies. I’m talking about films like “Tropic Thunder,” “Bridesmaids,” “Girls Trip,” “The Hangover” and so many Judd Apatow films. They’re a nice break from the onslaught of action blockbusters and superhero films and, if done well, can really bring a crowd together. It’s this kind of quality that “No Hard Feelings” strives for and, in my opinion, the film succeeds, making for a raunchy, hilarious and even heartwarming good time.
Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) is an Uber driver in her early 30s living in Montauk, New York who is faced with losing her late mother’s house due to unpaid property taxes. When her car, and means of making money, are taken by a court order, Maddie must turn to other ways to make money when she spots an odd listing online. A wealthy couple (Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti) are trying to get their 19-year-old son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) out of his shell before he goes to college at Princeton and are seeking a woman to “date” him in exchange for a Buick Regal. With very few options left, Maddie takes them up on the offer and starts going out with Percy. However, as the two of them spend more time together, they begin to see that this relationship is much more than “dating.”
What I admire about this film is how much it doesn’t care about what other people are going to think about it. Before “No Hard Feelings” was even released, there was controversy around the very premise with a woman in her 30s trying to seduce a teenager for a car. Some took issue with how the film “promoted grooming” before they even saw the film. “Can you imagine if the genders were reversed? I don’t have to. It already exists. It’s called “Manhattan” and it’s recognized as one of the best films of the 1970s. And it was also made by Woody Allen. I can keep going and make this review more awkward. Also, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and “Beauty and the Beast” are really Stockholm Syndrome horror films when you think about it.
The point is, perhaps we shouldn’t take this so seriously. After all, it’s a raunchy comedy that’s meant to entertain people. It’s not like the film is suggesting that this is a functioning relationship. In the end, “No Hard Feelings” isn’t catered to any particular demographic. It’s not trying to score with any group. It’s trying to make you laugh and it doesn’t care if you’re uncomfortable with the initial scenario.
Joining this party of unadulterated humor is Jennifer Lawrence who gives a ridiculously charming performance. While part of what makes Maddie so funny is the idea that Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence does crazy things like trying to outrun the cops with a young man on the hood of her car as a train is barreling towards them, Lawrence’s comedic timing is spot-on.
The idea of saving a treasured childhood home is pretty cliched across comedies ranging from absolute classics like “The Blues Brothers” to “The Three Stooges,” a film that makes you stop and think “did they really make that?” Yes they did and it features the titular dimwits slapping the cast of “Jersey Shore” and Sofia Vergara in a role that I’m sure she hasn’t put on her resumé. Despite this, Lawrence really does sell this motivation and you understand why she would do something so ridiculous and borderline creepy to save her home.
With very few credits to his name, Andrew Barth Feldman does a fantastic job portraying this awkward yet sweet character and I sincerely hope that “No Hard Feelings” makes him a breakout star. Not only does he manage to hold his own alongside a heavy hitter like Jennifer Lawrence, but his comedic skills are spectacular. Also, he has a stunning musical moment where he excels at singing and playing the piano. So, if any casting director is looking to cast a musical, see the film where Andrew Barth Feldman accidentally throat-punches an Oscar winner.
As you can tell by the style I’m writing this review with, this is a ridiculous film but “No Hard Feelings” is well aware of this. In fact, it thrives in this world. From good, old-fashioned slapstick to witty dialogue to sexual humor, “No Hard Feelings” knows exactly the kind of raunchy comedy it wants to be and delivers an entertaining film that audiences are going to appreciate. The rate at which the jokes hit the audience hard was outstanding and it manages to accomplish in just over an hour-and-a-half what it takes shows like “Velma” or “Space Force” whole seasons to not accomplish.
Along with sequences of complete hilarity, “No Hard Feelings” also does a good job of beefing up the script (written by the film’s director Gene Stupnitsky and John Phillips) with an endearing relationship. The connection between Maddi and Percy is legitimately heartwarming as you see the two of them bond, share their insecurities and learn from each other. If this relationship didn’t work, the whole film would fall apart and it would be just another throwaway comedy you’d skip in favor of seeing a CGI actionfest.
I don’t know if “No Hard Feelings” is going to be recognized as a comedy classic, but it’s not something to blow off either. This is a funny, entertaining and exciting film that I think will usher in a new wave of summer comedies like the upcoming “Joy Ride,” “Strays” and “Bottoms.” If you want to take a date or some buddies or just go by yourself to laugh and feel good, this will more than get the job done.
