No Hard Feelings Review: A Comedy in Need of an Edge

No Hard Feelings is a film that harkens back to a bygone era, prompting nostalgia for a type of movie that seems to have vanished from the current Hollywood landscape. Led by the talented Jennifer Lawrence, this mid-budget, R-rated studio comedy offers a refreshing departure from the mainstream fare dominating theaters. Lawrence's audacious performance in No Hard Feelings reminds us why she rose to stardom in the first place, displaying a level of bravery and comfortability on-screen that captivated audiences a decade ago.

Together, Lawrence and director/co-writer Gene Stupnitsky make a compelling case for the revival of R-rated comedies on a large scale. However, while the film provides an enjoyable time at the theater, it falls short of being a standout addition to the canon of R-rated comedy classics. Its strengths lie in its entertainment value, but it doesn't quite reach the level of greatness deserving of higher accolades.

Inspired by a real-life Craigslist ad, the film follows the story of Maddie Barker (Lawrence), a struggling Montauk native who hopes to save her mother's house from repossession. Maddie's dreams are shattered when her part-time Uber driver car gets towed. Desperate to get back on the road, she responds to a Craigslist ad from Laird (Matthew Broderick) and Allison Becker (Laura Benanti), wealthy parents who offer Maddie a free used car in exchange for "dating" their socially reclusive son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman). From their first meeting, Laird and Allison make it clear that they want Maddie to help Percy break out of his shell.

The film delves into vulgar comedy territory as Maddie struggles to convince Percy to sleep with her. No Hard Feelings exhibits shades of the horny American comedies of the 1970s and '80s. However, it manages to avoid becoming a shallow exploration or endorsement of male fantasy. Instead, it remains firmly rooted in the perspective of its female lead. Lawrence's bold and unapologetic portrayal of Maddie aligns perfectly with the character, and her on-screen confidence shines throughout the film, especially when juxtaposed with Feldman's palpable awkwardness as Percy.

After a slow but necessary first act, No Hard Feelings gains momentum once Lawrence is paired with Feldman. The initial "dates" between Maddie and Percy showcase the film at its best, with screwball moments that include a misguided use of mace by the socially inept Percy and a naked brawl on the beach involving Lawrence and a group of foolish teenagers. In these scenes, the film distinguishes itself as a big-screen American comedy willing to push boundaries, going further than most recent straight-to-streaming originals.

Unfortunately, the second half of the film fails to maintain the same comedic intensity as the first. As the script attempts to explore the emotional backstories of Maddie and Percy, No Hard Feelings adopts an uneven pace that occasionally distracts from the overall experience. While the potential for comedic fallout between the two leads is immense, the film doesn't fully deliver in its final third, which falls short of matching the humor of the earlier scenes.

In addition to Lawrence and Feldman, the film benefits from a strong supporting cast, including Broderick and Benanti as Percy's overbearing parents, and Natalie Morales and Scott MacArthur as Maddie's honest and supportive friends. However, it is former SNL cast member Kyle Mooney who steals the show with his comedic chemistry alongside Lawrence in his brief appearances.

No Hard Feelings excels in its most acidic and memorable moments, such as the scenes involving Mooney's adult nanny character, Jody. Unfortunately, the film chooses to deviate from its ruthless comedic tone in the final act, opting for a surprisingly sweet and occasionally saccharine conclusion that prioritizes character arcs over comedic impact. While Lawrence and Feldman deliver on the emotional front, Stupnitsky's direction fails to elevate the film's weaker sections, particularly the last 10 minutes.

The result is a comedy that is unapologetically bold and refreshing, but perhaps a bit too sugary for its own good. Like many modern American comedies, No Hard Feelings lacks the razor-sharp edge needed to leave a lasting impression. While they may not make films like this anymore, the film's funniest moments remind us why they should. We can only hope that future movies inspired by its potential success manage to surpass it, even if only by a small margin.

No Hard Feelings is currently playing in theaters.