No Hard Feelings (2023) Movie Review

Jennifer Lawrence. You either love her or you hate her it seems. And we are firmly in the love camp at BWV. No Hard Feelings finally gives Lawrence the chance to do something we always knew she was built for: comedy. This particular comedy might not be your cup of tea. It’s raunchy. It’s unhinged. It’s rated R. Let’s go!

The plot is basically the rated R version of Failure to Launch (2006) starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey. Rich parents Allison (Laura Benanti) and Laird (Matthew Broderick) are concerned about their son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman). He doesn’t have a lot of friends and they fear he isn’t well equipped to start college, particularly in the dating department. They put out an ad for a young woman to essentially date and sleep with their son. The reward is the gift of a car.

Cue Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) a thirty-something who is struggling to make ends meet when her car is impounded. As an Uber driver, her car is tied to her ability to make money and the appeal of a new car lures her to meet the parents. They approve (somewhat) of Maddie and set the plan in motion for her to meet Percy where chaos ensues. 

The main appeal of the movie is Lawrence, who finally gets to show off her comedic chops and proves more than up to the task. She is able to swiftly veer from snarky sarcasm to sweet and vulnerable at the drop of a hat. Feldman is awkward and endearing and their chemistry is what drives the plot forward and provides the heartbeat of the film. There are a multitude of funny moments but Lawrence beating the sh*t out of three thieves while butt naked is at the top of the hit list.

The premise is absurd and at times unbelievable. But zany comedies with worthwhile emotional messages tied in feel rare these days and No Hard Feelings fills the void. Most of the movie’s success is due to Lawrence’s acting abilities and pristine comedic timing. We already know this movie won’t be for everyone. Others have labeled it silly and vulgar and those adjectives aren’t incorrect. But this one is a winner in our books and we’re glad to see Lawrence back on the big screen providing laughs and light-hearted entertainment. 

You’ll like this movie if:
1. You’d like to see Lawrence finally do a comedy role
2. You like raunchy comedies
3. You want something light