No Hard Feelings (2023) Movie Review
ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – N
Director: Gene Stupnitsky
Writer: Gene Stupnitsky, John Phillips (Screenplay)
Cast
- Jennifer Lawrence (Red Sparrow)
- Andrew Barth Feldman (White Noise)
- Laura Benanti (Life & Beth)
- Matthew Broderick (Wonder Park)
- Natalie Morales (Battle of the Sexes)
Plot: With her house on the verge of being lost, Maddie stumbles upon an interesting job advertisement – a couple seeking someone to help their shy, 19-year-old son break out of his shell before college. In just one summer, she must either succeed in transforming him into a confident man or face defeat.
Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
No Hard Feelings begins when Maddie, played by Lawrence, finds out her beloved family home could be taken away. Losing her car, which was her primary source of income, leaves her in a tight financial spot. In an effort to stay afloat, Maddie stumbles upon a unique job opportunity: parents Allison (Benanti) and Laird (Broderick) are seeking a woman over a certain age to go out with their son Percy (Feldman).
When Maddie discovers the job opportunity, she decides to take it, understanding that she must conceal it from everyone else. On the other hand, Percy is socially uneasy and often engrossed in his phone. The role doesn’t turn out to be as straightforward for Maddie as she anticipated, resulting in a string of uncertain incidents.
Verdict on No Hard Feelings
In a lighthearted romantic tale, we follow a 30-year-old woman facing challenges as she accepts a position to aid a shy 19-year-old in self-discovery. Initially, this role seems straightforward for her, but it soon proves to be far more complex than she anticipated.
This story attempts to present a unique perspective on overprotective parents attempting to assist their son. It leans into an older woman fantasy theme but ultimately depends heavily on excessive humor. It’s implausible for a reserved character like Percy to transform from a timid individual to a confident one in just two dates. Much of the humor feels forced and unamusing. The romance may appear awkward, intentionally so. However, the underlying message is about embracing life to its fullest, above all else.
Final Thoughts –No Hard Feelings is a raunchy comedy lacking the laughs.
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2025-06-14 14:37