Sans rancune

It's definitely not the raunchy comedy promised by its trailers and initial premise, although those moments are there but No Hard Feelings is a surprisingly sweet comedy that has enough laughs and predictably satisfying arcs throughout the course of it's run time to remain a really entertaining watch.

Jennifer Lawrence is great, more than capable of covering all the grounds the role requires and even makes the more emotional moments that could feel out of place actually work. Andrew Barth Feldman is also great, his awkwardness never becomes annoying, instead its always endearing and funny.

Gene Stupnitsky's direction is really good, making sure the central premise never gets uncomfortable in undesired ways, adding some clever inversions for a few memorable jokes and keeping the film light on its feet thanks to a couple of montages as well.

This movie is so bizarre, I don't even really know what to think of it. It's an absurd sex comedy that turns into a rom-com and ends as a Hallmark movie about friendship. It's super-uncomfortable to watch, but entertaining in trashy, 80's kind of way. You know, back when a 32-year-old being sexually inappropriate with a naive high school student could be considered hilarious. Think Porky's or Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

I have no idea why someone as talented and famous as Jennifer Lawrence would want to appear in this movie, let alone star in it and romp around naked for several minutes, but she does a good job and seems to be having fun. More power to her, I guess?

No Hard Feelings (2023) is a raunchy comedy that, while it may initially seem to be heading for the typical, outrageous path of adult humor, surprisingly veers towards a safer route. It's a film that entices you with its unapologetic humor and then surprises you with its turns toward heartfelt moments.

Jennifer Lawrence stands out in this film in a genre often dominated by male performances. Her comedic chops are impeccable, with her delivering lines that will have you laughing out loud. One memorable scene involves her character at a disastrous dinner party where everything that can go wrong, does - her reactions alone are worth the price of admission.

But it's not all laughs. Lawrence flexes her dramatic muscles too, proving that she has an impressive range as an actress. A poignant scene where she confronts her past showcases her ability to seamlessly transition from comedy to drama. It's a testament to her versatility and reinforces her stature as one of Hollywood's most talented actresses.

"No Hard Feelings" is a film that guarantees extreme laughs along the way. It strikes a balance between funny and heartfelt, making it a must-watch for fans of R-rated comedy that's got a bit of soul.

In a cinematic landscape where films tend to be overproduced, overextended, and overplayed, "No Hard Feelings" is a breath of fresh air. It's a film that knows its strengths and plays to them without trying to be more than it is. With a 90-minute run time, it's a concise, well-paced film that doesn't overstay its welcome.

However, the film isn't without its faults. Its predictability can be a bit of a letdown, and the sentimental ending, while touching, feels somewhat out of place in the raunchy comedy. The final act, in particular, feels forced in its attempt to pull the film out of a predictable tailspin.

Despite these minor flaws, "No Hard Feelings" is a film worth watching. It's a testament to Jennifer Lawrence's range as an actress, delivering plenty of laughs along the way. Its mix of humor and heart makes it a worthy addition to the genre.

Clearly this gal can do anything, and seeing her in a full-on comedy film enabled her to show her true comedic chops, and she certainly has those. I always found her hilarious in real life - in interviews, segments, etc, and found her to have a down to earth comedic personality, so it's about time she was her true self in a film. The story itself is nothing we haven't seen before, but all casting and performances were spot on, as was the directing, cinematography and score. The pacing was perfect in that the 103 min runtime flew by. There were many laugh out loud moments, especially from Lawrence's antics, and that's what made this film that much more enjoyable. In addition to the comedy, there are some heart warming moments that added that extra touch to this film. I'd have no problem watching this again, especially with some friends, weekend beverages and our brains turned off.

No Hard Feelings is a pretty entertaining but unspectacular comedy. It will be sure to produce some good laughs, but the story is a little too paper thin and the characters a little too 2-dimensional for it to truly impress.

It follows Jennifer Lawrence as 32 year old Maddie, who finds herself embroiled in a scheme to save her house by 'dating' a 19 year old at the behest of his parents.

It's not the worst set up I've ever seen in a comedy, but it's not great either. Saying this, it does allow for plenty of comedic scenarios and is actually a pretty funny film, with numerous laugh out loud moments.

As well as being funny it boasts two brilliant lead performances. Jennifer Lawrence is always brilliant so it's no surprise that she steals the show. I'd never even heard of Andrew Barth Feldman before, but he really shines in his role and plays it to perfection. The supporting cast is minimal, so it really is all about the two terrific performances from these two.

My real gripe is with the plot. I don't think the emotional elements resonated as the characters are too poorly fleshed out. When the film gets bogged down in the emotional beat it slows down the pacing too much. I just didn't find myself getting invested in any of the characters, the outcome of the story (mostly because it was very predictable), or the emotional journey of it all.

If you're looking for a late night comedy that will be sure to get you laughing, No Hard Feelings should do the trick. I highly doubt it will go down as a classic of the genre, but it does its job well enough.