There's a gentle lesson about life woven into “No Hard Feelings,” the film billed as a "raunchy comedy" from co-writer and director Gene Stupnitsky. It's unfortunate that this element gets lost beneath layers of humor that doesn't quite land, clumsy physical gags, and predictable jokes that consistently fail to elicit genuine amusement. To be blunt: this isn’t just an unsuccessful attempt at a comedy; it’s a disappointing movie overall. Bartender Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) finds herself needing transportation quickly after her car is repossessed. While looking through classified ads, she discovers an unusual job offer: wealthy parents (Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick) are seeking someone to “date” their shy 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), before he starts college. The compensation for this arrangement? A used Buick. Maddie accepts the position, but soon realizes she’s gotten herself into more than she anticipated. The initial concept holds promise, however Lawrence seems ill-suited to the part. She appears too mature to portray Maddie, which creates an uncomfortable feeling about her connection with a teenager. Furthermore, the role requires considerable comedic skill, and while Lawrence is undeniably talented, she simply doesn’t have the necessary timing—particularly when it comes to physical comedy. The film also presents a questionable message for young men: that lacking experience with women before entering adulthood somehow diminishes their masculinity. Imagine if the situation were reversed, and a 32-year-old man was attempting to pressure a 19-year-old woman into having intimacy so she could gain “experience” prior to college. The standards should be consistent regardless of gender roles. Much of the story involves awkward scenarios where Maddie is intensely trying to seduce Percy, none of which are funny and all of which feel tiresome. Stupnitsky (and co-writer John Phillips) consistently opt for the easiest jokes, and any laughter I managed while watching this film was purely polite. The central issue with the movie lies in the fact that everyone involved seems so determined to force it into a wild, sexually charged comedy that they overlook the genuine emotional core. There’s something endearing about the bond between Maddie and Percy, and their individual growth during their time together is genuinely touching. Unfortunately, this is overshadowed by the relentless attempts to portray it as an outrageous adult comedy. In trying to be both things, it fails at both. “No Hard Feelings” fares best when it abandons its misguided ambitions.

Source on TMDB