No Hard Feelings struck me at first as a typical R-rated raunchy comedy, and while it certainly is that, I also got something else I didn’t anticipate: A comedy that is much more heartfelt and sincere about the execution of its material. It knows how to deliver what its target audience expects but also leaves you feeling glad you saw it.
Jennifer Lawrence stars as Maddie Barker, a 32-year-old Uber driver and bartender on the verge of losing her home due to not paying property taxes. As she’s willing to do anything to make some cash, she sees a post on Craigslist involving two overprotective parents (Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti) who are desperate for anyone to date their 19-year-old son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman). Percy is virtually inexperienced in dating, and the parents’ payment for Maddie is a Buick Regal if she can get Percy to come out of his shell. Plus, Percy plans to attend Princeton in the fall.
Maddie meets Percy at the local animal shelter where he volunteers, and she offers to give him a ride home. However, Percy thinks she’s kidnapping him and maces her. This is just one of their many misunderstandings, but it fuels the chemistry they develop.
As expected, Maddie and Percy do get to know each other and form a bond over many things, such as Skeeball, and there’s a sweet moment where both reveal they never went to their senior proms, so they decide to have their own prom by going out to a fancy restaurant. It’s here where Maddie discovers Percy’s ability to play the piano. He plays “She’s a Maneater.”
No Hard Feelings might be accused of being cringe-worthy due to its premise, but its tone may be considered a little too thoughtful and muted to please its target audience. Sure, there’s a great degree of vulgarity for a comedy of this sort, but it’s never mean-spirited. It establishes the characters in a predictable way, but there’s also an undercurrent of sweetness and likability between its two stars. Lawrence can be hit-or-miss when it comes to her physical comedy chops, and Feldman’s performance can be a little on the nose in terms of his sheltered demeanor. Still, their contrasting personalities are well-crafted enough to make us root for them.
Sometimes the dialogue and sight gags don’t quite hit the velocity they’re looking for. Still, there are moments when the characters are allowed to be human and relatable, not just clueless, idiotic, or transparent. No Hard Feelings works well on that level.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for sexual content, language, some graphic nudity, and brief drug use.)
