NO HARD FEELINGS (2023)

Genre: Comedy
Director: Gene Stupnitsky
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Matthew Broderick
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Rating: M18 (Some Nudity and Sexual References)
Released By: Sony Pictures
Official Website:

Opening Day: 27 July 2023

Synopsis: Jennifer Lawrence produces and stars in No Hard Feelings, a laugh-out-loud, edgy comedy from director Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys) and the co-writer of Bad Teacher. On the brink of losing her childhood home, Maddie (Lawrence) discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to “date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy, before he leaves for college. To her surprise, Maddie soon discovers the awkward Percy is no sure thing.  

Movie Review:

If you haven't been excited for a comedy, here's your chance with Jennifer Lawrence playing the glorious lead in this 103-minute R-rated romp. The humour launches with a tow truck that is on its way to whisk away Maddie Barker’s (Jennifer Lawrence) only source of income. Desperate times call for desperate measures and the Uber driver who's in her dirty thirties responds to a Craigslist ad posted by wealthy helicopter parents who’ve got their kid’s best interest at heart.

“Jennifer Lawrence in a comedy?” you may ask. The Oscar winner who is now free from The Hunger Games franchise commitments is back again following a brief hiatus from big screens. As jaw-dropping as it may seem, Lawrence, given her innate comedic flair and goddess-like energy was able to pull off the role of Maddie with such effortless grace.

A well-paced narrative offering refreshing character variation revolving a simple concept with absolutely no lags and potholes makes it a rarity in today's big screen hits. The character roles are heavily individualistic and that certainly contributes to the quirkiness of the sex comedy. The entire cast was gold. Not forgetting the commendable writing that reintroduces a classic theme in a superior way. No Hard Feelings almost instantly zaps us back to the noughties and lends vibes of an early Y2K movie where it can be safely dubbed as good ole days. And what’s not to love about the mad cool trailer and theatrical poster? Fret not! The trailer is (thankfully) not a watchbait. Not every single comedy sequence is laid bare in the trailer. A handful of bests that is meant to leave you in stitches are saved for last.

While this may be dubbed as Lawrence’s perfect comeback film, the 21-year-old breakout star, Andrew Barth Feldman matches energies quip for quip in delivering his role as an awkward virginal wallflower with impeccable comedy chops.

This cozy, fun, raunchy comedy that takes you as far back to the erotic 90s, unsuspectingly veers away from the it's-just-another-chick-flick notion midway through the plot. It delivers a fresh take even if it might feel like a reboot of Can’t Buy Me Love while oscillating between Superbad and I Love You, Beth Cooper.

J-Law's comedic genius paired with a superpower to work her magic on any role, backs up her versatility and makes her a force to reckon with. It's uplifting to see the Academy Award- winning actress let her hair down after what seems like ever, in contrast to her morose demeanour in The Hunger Games.

If you happen to be fatigued by recent multiverse franchises, comic heroes in skintight suits and flashy neon colours and have grown rather immune to dark and twisted plots, then No Hard Feelings is a must-watch!

Some movies are so easy to fall in love with and this is one such movie. The side-splittingly hilarious number isn’t just a legendary comeback for the 32-year-old, but it certainly calls for the celebration of the return of rude! It isn't necessarily shallow or ‘slapsticky’ as it looks. The rib-tickler has a little bit of everything from comedy (funny in deep ways), moral lessons to social commentary and loads of feelings. Not every film needs to check the cinematic masterpiece box. It hits just the same when movies are made from the heart too. And No Hard Feelings is of the same ilk.

Movie Rating:

(If you are all up for a flick that seduces you with comedy but hits you with emotions, then buckle up. An R-rated romp that promises a renewed faith in comedies)

Review by Asha Gizelle Mariadas