EUyeshima Review of No Hard Feelings

No Hard Feelings (2023)

J-Law Delivers the Laughs with Abandon in a No-Holds-Barred Farce

[7/10 · 5 November 2023]

When I saw the trailer for this 2023 comedy earlier this year, I was thinking what a letdown for Jennifer Lawrence to go from the subtle heartbreak of "Causeway" to what looked like a raunchy, flat-out fratboy-humor farce. However, I watched it and actually liked the raunchy, flat-out fratboy-humor because director and co-writer Greg Stupnitsky showcases Lawrence's considerable comedy chops with dexterity. She's hilariously inappropriate as Maddie, a down-on-her-luck woman who answers a Craigslist ad to increase the sexual confidence of Percy, the socially awkward 19-year-old son of wealthy helicopter parents. Lawrence throws herself into the role with pure abandon, and her no-holds-barred talk-show persona comes to the fore. The beach scene where she takes back her clothes was a genuine riot. Surprisingly where the film fell short was the third act when the story softens and loses some of its edge. Andrew Barth Feldman is quite good as Percy who reacts appropriately to Maddie's shenanigans. Better than I expected.