Jennifer Lawrence’s Fun but Rushed Debut into the Comedic Realm
No Hard Feelings offers an entertaining viewing experience, fully aware that it’s solely a comedy movie. However, by adhering strictly to these comedic boundaries, the film misses the opportunity to excel in ways it could have.
The story begins strong, centering around Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence), who grapples with saving the house left to her by her late mother while striving for financial independence. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when she responds to a Craigslist ad offering a car in exchange for dating an incoming college student, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), who is a whole 13 years younger than her and is highly introverted and awkward. Reluctantly, Maddie decides to accept the offer.
Surprisingly, the on-screen chemistry between Lawrence and Feldman worked quite well. However, the romantic chemistry between their characters, though intentionally forced due to Maddie’s ulterior motives, felt visibly weird because of the constant references to their age difference. The bulk of the movie focused on developing their relationship, yet it still felt rushed with only three short-lived dates and few conversations. Thus, I never really felt that any concrete connection was built between them. Upon Percy discovering Maddie’s true intentions in the relationship, his awkward and shy persona didn’t entirely justify the lack of the emotional response one would expect. This left his character feeling less authentic.
What bothered me the most was its lackluster ending, which felt entirely rushed. Maddie’s decision to sell the house and move to California, coupled with Percy’s sudden transformation, lacks closure. This abrupt resolution was especially off-putting considering Percy had recently confessed his love for Maddie, and post-falling out, several moments suggest Maddie’s growing attachment to Percy. So, I really wasn’t convinced with the ending and felt that it could’ve been handled way better. For what it’s worth, though, they did manage to tie up loose ends, which I give props to.
Despite these flaws, the film’s humor deserves recognition. Both co-stars, especially Jennifer Lawrence, showcase true comedic talent, delivering well-executed jokes that infuse an old-school comedy feel into No Hard Feelings. Lawrence’s comedic prowess shines, ranging from raunchy to tough and outrightly funny, while Feldman, portraying an awkward character, contributes to the film’s comedic element.
In summary, No Hard Feelings is a light-hearted and amusing romantic comedy that won’t leave you with any hard feelings. The film’s saving grace undoubtedly lies in Jennifer Lawrence’s performance. Without her, I likely wouldn’t have given it a shot, and I suspect many would feel the same. Despite its relatively short duration of 103 minutes, which might seem appealing initially, the film falls into the trap of an underdeveloped middle and a rushed ending. While it claims to offer a satisfying resolution, it struggles to provide believable closure to the protagonists’ relationship.
