No Hard Feelings

No Hard Feelings is a refreshing change from many traditional romantic comedies, offering a mix of wry humor and heartfelt moments that make for enjoyable viewing. Directed by Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys (2019), the film stars Jennifer Lawrence in a role that allows her to fully express her comedic talent while offering moments of heartfelt emotion. Once again, this comedy irradiates the screen with her superb presence, and brings to the film a certain melancholy in the face of our own past mistakes.

The film's story revolves around Maddie Barker (Jennifer Lawrence), a 32-year-old woman living in Montauk, New York. Faced with losing her late mother's home to rising property taxes, Maddie stumbles across a personal ad placed by a couple looking for a woman to date their introverted son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), before he heads off to college. In exchange for her services, Maddie receives a used Buick. Intrigued by the offer and motivated by her need for a car, Maddie agrees to help Percy come out of his shell, and is about to have a life-changing encounter that will heal some of his deepest wounds.

Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal of Maddie is undoubtedly one of the film's highlights. She effortlessly combines confidence and vulnerability, making her character sympathetic and endearing. Her physical acting skills shine through as she navigates various comic situations, highlighting her talent for timing and execution. It's refreshing to see Jennifer Lawrence in a role that allows her to fully embrace her comedic side, and she excels at it. 

Andrew Barth Feldman, who plays Percy, brings a certain sincerity and authenticity to his character. Despite the great age difference between the two characters, Maddie and Percy form a unique bond that goes beyond a simple romantic or sexual relationship. Their relationship is founded on friendship and personal development, with each character helping the other to overcome their own insecurities and find their place in the world. Equally at home in blockbusters (X-men and The Hunger Games sagas) and independent films, it's easy to understand her desire to change registers and break away from her slick image.

As the film delves into wry humor and deliberately scabrous comic scenes, we appreciate the chemistry between Jennifer Lawrence and Barth Feldman, which truly elevates the story. What could have been a simple coming-of-age comedy-drama turns out to be much more than a tailor-made film for Jennifer Lawrence. The lead duo's interactions are genuine, and their performances carry the film even when some scenes don't quite work. Stupnitsky's effective direction keeps the story moving at a steady pace, with enough surprising moments and heartfelt scenes to keep the audience interested. For a few scenes, we also catch up with Matthew Broderick in a supporting role, who left his mark on our childhood with several films (Wargames (1993), Ladyhawke (1985) Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) ...).

No Hard Feelings may not reinvent the romantic comedy-drama genre, but it does manage to offer an entertaining and nostalgic experience. The film strikes a balance between wry humor and heartfelt emotion, thanks in large part to the talent of the actors, especially Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman. The film also offers a refreshing take on the genre, showcasing Lawrence's comedic prowess while exploring themes of friendship, personal fulfillment and the complexity of human bonds. We encourage you to discover this film in theaters.

No Hard Feelings
Directed by Gene Stupnitsky
Written by Gene Stupnitsky, John Phillips
Produced by Alex Saks, Naomi Odenkirk, Marc Provissiero, Jennifer Lawrence, Justine Ciarrocchi
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Matthew Broderick
Cinematography Eigil Bryld
Edited by Brent White
Music by Mychael Danna, Jessica Rose Weiss
Production companies : Columbia Pictures, Saks Picture Company, Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment, Excellent Cadaver
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing
Release date : June 21, 2023 (France), June 23, 2023 (United States)
Running time : 103 minutes

Seen on June 21, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 16 seat A19

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