No Hard Feelings

It's definitely not the raunchy comedy promised by its trailers and initial premise, although those moments are there but No Hard Feelings is a surprisingly sweet comedy that has enough laughs and predictably satisfying arcs throughout the course of it's run time to remain a really entertaining watch.

Jennifer Lawrence is great, more than capable of covering all the grounds the role requires and even makes the more emotional moments that could feel out of place actually work. Andrew Barth Feldman is also great, his awkwardness never becomes annoying, instead its always endearing and funny.

Gene Stupnitsky's direction is really good, making sure the central premise never gets uncomfortable in undesired ways, adding some clever inversions for a few memorable jokes and keeping the film light on its feet thanks to a couple of montages as well.

No Hard Feelings (2023) is a raunchy comedy that, while it may initially seem to be heading for the typical, outrageous path of adult humor, surprisingly veers towards a safer route. It's a film that entices you with its unapologetic humor and then surprises you with its turns toward heartfelt moments.

Jennifer Lawrence stands out in this film in a genre often dominated by male performances. Her comedic chops are impeccable, with her delivering lines that will have you laughing out loud. One memorable scene involves her character at a disastrous dinner party where everything that can go wrong, does - her reactions alone are worth the price of admission.

But it's not all laughs. Lawrence flexes her dramatic muscles too, proving that she has an impressive range as an actress. A poignant scene where she confronts her past showcases her ability to seamlessly transition from comedy to drama. It's a testament to her versatility and reinforces her stature as one of Hollywood's most talented actresses.

"No Hard Feelings" is a film that guarantees extreme laughs along the way. It strikes a balance between funny and heartfelt, making it a must-watch for fans of R-rated comedy that's got a bit of soul.

In a cinematic landscape where films tend to be overproduced, overextended, and overplayed, "No Hard Feelings" is a breath of fresh air. It's a film that knows its strengths and plays to them without trying to be more than it is. With a 90-minute run time, it's a concise, well-paced film that doesn't overstay its welcome.

However, the film isn't without its faults. Its predictability can be a bit of a letdown, and the sentimental ending, while touching, feels somewhat out of place in the raunchy comedy. The final act, in particular, feels forced in its attempt to pull the film out of a predictable tailspin.

Despite these minor flaws, "No Hard Feelings" is a film worth watching. It's a testament to Jennifer Lawrence's range as an actress, delivering plenty of laughs along the way. Its mix of humor and heart makes it a worthy addition to the genre.

This movie turned out to be surprisingly wholesome and sweet. Jennifer Lawrence looks beautiful and plays a sassy, down to earth character who has personal struggles. I love her sense of humour as well. I also pointed out the colour grading in the movie. There's a warmth to it that is lovely to look at. Something I've noticed newer movies have been missing and it just makes such a difference. I also liked the movies message on modern dating and friendship. How it seems it's pretty normal to rely on our technology to socialize now, but what everyone really wants is personal connection. Something many people struggle to find in this day and age. It isn't even our fault.

Clearly this gal can do anything, and seeing her in a full-on comedy film enabled her to show her true comedic chops, and she certainly has those. I always found her hilarious in real life - in interviews, segments, etc, and found her to have a down to earth comedic personality, so it's about time she was her true self in a film. The story itself is nothing we haven't seen before, but all casting and performances were spot on, as was the directing, cinematography and score. The pacing was perfect in that the 103 min runtime flew by. There were many laugh out loud moments, especially from Lawrence's antics, and that's what made this film that much more enjoyable. In addition to the comedy, there are some heart warming moments that added that extra touch to this film. I'd have no problem watching this again, especially with some friends, weekend beverages and our brains turned off.

Gene Stupnitsky continues his trend in giving us these funny, raunchy and at times touching movies. No Hard Feelings however seems more Dramedy than straight up Comedy. Now, that doesn't mean it wasn't fun. It had its moments that the theater was just bursting in laughter. Then there were moments where the tone shifts to a more serious one and that allowed Jennifer Lawrence's performance to shine. There was more of that serious tone than I was expecting.

I thought I was going to see something to the level of Good Boys but instead it was a bit more drama with various funny moments. Which again was not bad. Some were over the top but that's to be expected with these types of movies. For example there's a beach scene that completely took it to another level. There's a small sample of it in the trailer but the entire scene completely caught me off guard and it's hilarious when you realize that you have an Oscar winning actress doing all of it. Fun flick.