No Hard Feelings 2023

The sex comedy genre, which dominated cinemas in the early 2000s, has unfortunately mostly disappeared from the big screen in recent years. With "No Hard Feelings", it now celebrates a small comeback, and I have to admit that I missed it a bit. Even though the plot isn't surprising at any point, for the most part, this movie worked pretty well for me, primarily due to lead actress Jennifer Lawrence. She's proven time and again in the past that she's an excellent actress in the dramatic realm, but with "Don't Look Up" and now "No Hard Feelings", she also demonstrated her very good comedic timing.

And Lawrence really gives it her all in this film, whether it's through sharp dialogue or full-on physical comedy. I actually laughed numerous times, even if not every joke worked. Also, it should be clear to everyone that the film would not work at all if gender roles were reversed. As it is, however, this comedy is highly entertaining and funny throughout. Lawrence's chemistry with her co-star, Andrew Barth Feldman, is also strong, which is important given their numerous scenes together. Meanwhile, the plot is predictable, but the script thankfully avoids a few clichés.

"No Hard Feelings" is certainly not a masterpiece, but not every film has to be. Just being good should be enough sometimes. I would certainly be happy to see more films of this genre in theaters again in the future.

It's a bit to unpack with this one, so here we go: First of all, what did Jennifer Lawrence did to her face? In some scenes seemed as she was stung by a wasp. Second of all; i know its a comedy and such, but what would happen if the roles were reversed: A 32yo man "dating" a 19yo girl because their parents put a sign online? My guess is that movie won't be able to see the light of day.

Anyway, about the movie. Being a "fellow introvert" i was able to relate till certain point. The introversion that the character shows is a bit more deep; but the outline was familiar. Now, being somehow keen to the feelings the guy had; the fact that he was naive enough to believe that a 32yo-Jennifer-Lawrence-hot-near 10'-babe would totally want to hookup with him after seeing him for 10 seconds, was beyond sci-fi. Again, i know is a comedy, but still. If the premise would have been a "girl-friend" and not a date, it would have had much more sense. Even more, that such a hot woman wanted to have sex at all costs with you the same way the character Lawrence played; in real life would be the biggest red flag in the state (in fact, the first reaction of him when he thought he was going to be kidnapped, was the most accurate)

Then, the movie goes by, and the guy; an extremely introvert person who tries to stay invisible and such, in just 2 or 3 days of going out with this girl, automatically puts him in the runway to a frat-party and almost have sex with a girl from his school (were scenes ago admitted he didn't had friends, colleages or crushes; and tried to "stay invisible" and not asking anyone out on prom night). Yeah, that thing can't happen. For a introvert to get out of his confort zone and even get into a zone that mostly despise, it take way more that a couple glasses of alcohol. I know is for the sake of movie progression but is not that simple that an introvert becomes into a completely different person; much less with the kind of development showed.

Then in the last third, the guy finds out; tries to set up a revenge AND even knowing the truth and that everything is a sham, have sex with the girl. I'm not saying its impossible or that a person could act like that in the heat of the moment, but still felt out of character. The rest of the movie is just tying loose ends, and of course (because is not that kind of movie), they both remain friends only; because it would be "too much" for a 32yo woman to end up with a 19yo guy, i guess. Not trying by all means to have sex with him, that's cool.

Anyway, the movie is very mildly fun; i laughed a couple times, not more. The plot is at least original enough (being that is a bit of a twist of the usual romance movie of this kind). Jennifer is still gorgeous (even with her puffy face) and that gives it an extra point for a total of 6. Fun enough to watch while you are having dinner or don't have anything else to watch on a sunday.