No Hard Feelings – A Powerful Raunchy Comedy

As the film landscape has changed and evolved over the 2000s, the theatrical raunchy comedy is a subgenre that has seen fewer and fewer offerings. Suffice it to say that the announcement of No Hard Feelings was cause for celebration as it looked to provide some much-needed counterprogramming to the usual summer movie fare. Putting Jennifer Lawrence front and center in a role unlike what most are used to seeing from the Oscar-winning actress, all the right pieces are there. When it comes to the subgenre, it of course is not going to be for everyone (its 14A/R rating will also limit audiences somewhat) but for those who decide to give this film a watch, they will be treated to a hilarious watch that balances edge and heart. In what should come as a surprise to no one, Lawrence delivers some impressive comedic chops. Also, her co-star Andrew Barth Feldman steals scenes alongside her. Though the story may not bring anything new to the table for the most part, the crude humor is definitely there and the dynamic between Lawrence and Feldman is easily the best part of the film and ground it with humanity.

No Hard Feelings follows Maddie Baker (Lawrence), a desperate woman living in an oceanside New York town on the verge of losing her childhood home to the evolving landscape of her hometown. A major summer destination for the wealthy elite, she was part of a minority of locals that continued to shrink over time. Ultimately, the solution to her financial woes seemed to be a pair of rich helicopter parents and their ad offering a car in exchange for helping their 19-year-old son Percy Becker (Feldman) come out of his shell before going to college. Also working as an Uber driver during the summer to supplement her income, she needed another car to replace her old car which she witnessed being unceremoniously towed away. However, Percy proved to be a challenge as the nerdy introvert musician was a virgin and preferred to stay in his room therefore lacked the social skills and real-world experience to survive. Nevertheless, Maddie was determined to make it work by any means necessary. The difference in age and life experience was immediately apparent as she had to tear through the cocoon that his parents had trapped him in for all of his life but that went both ways. The film successfully used that stark contrast between both characters, and also both generations as a whole, for laughs as Maddie served as an analog for some biting commentary about this current generation.

Watching the dynamic between Maddie and Percy develop over the course of the film as his initial apprehension slowly wear away as he essentially grew up in front of audiences. She had a plan for how it was going to go down but he was a much different animal. A woman who normally played things a little fast and loose, Maddie had to learn to play at Percy’s pace which was not quite what she was used to. Though this meant plenty of frustration on her part, it also led to some hilarious moments for audiences as she often lashed out at anyone who stood in her way. As a result, she had to change her approach. Seeing Percy as mostly a means to an end, he and Maddie’s relationship quickly became something more as she saw him as something other than a meal ticket. Opening up to the new experiences she was offering him, there was a trust there on both sides, marking a departure from where their relationship started. They were fun to watch together as there undoubtedly was a connection growing between them. However, each interpreted that connection differently as things appeared to be going too far all while the arrangement between Maddie and Percy’s parents loomed over them. The bursting of that bubble was inevitable as in the end, the film ends on a wholesome note. Beneath all that raunchiness, it was all about how the characters learned from that experience moving forward.

The best part of No Hard Feelings was the aforementioned performances from Lawrence and Feldman as Maddie and Percy. First of all, Lawrence’s comedic chops and timing was something to behold, taking her range to another level with a performance that is well worth the price of admission and is sure to be remembered long after the credits roll. Not taking herself too seriously, she looked to be having a blast here therefore it was easy to have a blast right with her. And that’s before mentioning the writing for which she delivers beautifully. She could be vicious at times, however, there was also a real person beneath that exterior. Overall, Maddie may not be the most likable character but it was still easy to connect with that person underneath the crudeness. As impressive as Lawrence was, Feldman rose to her level. Their strong chemistry carried the film as he made for a perfect nerdy foil. Though she got top billing and deservedly so, he had shining moments of his own, stealing scenes alongside Lawrence with his energy alone. Meanwhile, Benanti and Broderick were hilarious in limited screen time as Percy’s clueless parents, Allison and Laird Becker.

At the end of the day, No Hard Feelings is the raunchy comedy audiences have been waiting for. While it has an edge, it never falls off the rails and has a lot of heart.

still courtesy of Columbia Pictures

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.