When scrolling through TikTok a couple of weeks ago, a short clip from Gene Stupnitsky’s “No Hard Feelings” popped up on my For You Page. It was one of a woman who seemed to be “kidnapping” a teenage boy from his workplace. The boy, under the stipulation that this was indeed what was happening, whips out Mace and sprays her. This interested me in the film as, over the course of the past week, I’d continue to encounter scenes from the movie.
After I finally gave in and sat down to watch it, I couldn’t get enough.
The movie opens with Maddie Barker (Jennifer Lawrence), a 32-year-old woman, getting her car repossessed. Working two jobs as a bartender and an Uber driver, Maddie needs her car to make enough money to keep her house. Later, browsing Craigslist with her friend, she finds an ad listing posted by wealthy helicopter parents for a Buick Regal in exchange for “dating” their son, Percy Becker (Andrew Barth Feldman).
She applies for the position, and what started as a plan to acquire a car soon becomes a journey of coming-of-age and character development for the two of them. With parents that “hover” overhead, Percy is never fully able to be independent, while Maddie refuses to establish that path for herself, stuck in a past she doesn’t want to let go of. They help each other by leading one another to realize not just how to live their lives, but to shape lives of true fulfillment.
Apart from the plot itself, the director, Stupnitsky, and the actors themselves made this movie a worthwhile 103 minutes. In addition to Lawrence and Feldman, Laura Benanti (Allison Becker), Matthew Broderick (Laird Becker), Natalie Morales (Sarah) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Gary) played significant roles in the teenage rom-com. A notable mention is Omaha Central graduate Zahn McClarnon (Gabe Sawyer). McClarnon, who plays a small role as a lawyer in the movie, graduated in the class of 1986. It was a pleasant highlight, recognizing one of the people to be from my very own high school.
Stupnitsky also does an incredible job of setting the atmosphere of the film, and the actors fit the roles they’re playing perfectly.
The actors did a phenomenal job of bringing their characters to life and making them seem like your average, everyday people. Lawrence plays a role within a role – a woman pretending to come into Percy’s life as a coincidence. The way she executes the terrible, over-the-top flirting and layered personality of her character is commendable. Feldman embodies the awkward, socially inept nature of Percy and still manages to convey it even as he matures.
Some things I disliked were the speed at which the film progressed, as well as how out-of-place certain intimate scenes felt. To me, it seemed way too fast for the characters to get to know each other so much in so little time, making the relationship of Maddie and Percy seem unreal. Percy also opens up to her unbelievably quickly for someone his parents described as “having a lot of trouble socially.” The time frame of the movie spans from June to early September, and yet the way they set it up makes it feel like mere days.
Additionally, there were multiple scenes in which the sentimental moments felt misplaced. Bouncing between laughing uncontrollably to heavy trauma-venting, the placement just felt off. Aside from these two factors, it was an extremely enjoyable experience.
An R-rated rom-com that will have you on the floor, “No Hard Feelings” is a must-watch for those who love the funny moments amidst a heartwarming story. Though there were some aspects that could have been improved upon, the story overall, as well as the messages it conveyed, were some that may be relatable to people of all ages. It covers the present struggles of a sheltered teenager, an adult with a troubled past and the way they overcome each of their struggles with the help of each other’s perspectives. If you’re looking to smile and laugh until your cheeks hurt from sweet yet hilarious scenes, this movie is for you.
