No. 47 (2023) NO HARD FEELINGS July 3rd.

 

Film No. 47  (2023)  July 3rd.  12:35 PM EVENT Cinemas, Cine 9   Woodlands W.A.

"I'm an UBER driver and I'm going to lose my car. I think I'm going to lose my house" (Maddy discusses her predicament with girlfriend Sara, thus setting up her desperate need to put a plan in place).

In a cross between A Farrelly brothers and a Jud Apatow production comes Gene Stupnitsky's  (BAD TEACHER, GOOD BOYS) NO HARD FEELINGS. Described as a sex comedy, it ticks all of the boxes that go towards making a U.S. made, in your face, 100 minute entertainment package.  Jennifer Lawrence is on board, not only as the lead, but as a producer. The fact that there is a ridiculous scene depicting Lawrence, naked (full frontal) is bound to add yet another few million $$$ to the box office. A box office seemingly breaking records as I type!

There are a series of one-liners, early, that suggest a freshness beyond just the fact Jennifer Lawrence is on board playing a slutty, girl next door. The script has potential, I was thinking 20 minutes in. But, alas no. It's a silly farce about Jennifer's, Uber driving Maddie, needing a car. Her quick fix method to achieving this is to work for a wealthy couple, Laird (Matthew Broderick) and Allison (Laura Benant) in an "undercover op" to date their 19 year old son and bring him into the real world. Get his head out of his devices and him, off his bed. Silly, yeah? Well I told you!

The thing is, there have been plenty of silly premises (40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY) that have worked. The script and the melding of that script with performances of note is often the key. Here, the script (second half) and the chemistry of Lawrence and Barth-Feldman (19 year old Percy) never reaches great heights. The "it sort clicks" notion is non-existent. But hey, I'm a stuffy, middle-aged critic; plenty of younger gen cinema goers are loving NHF. 

And as for "that beach scene"; featuring Jennifer in all her glory. Go, girl - she is brave, considering the scene didn't enhance the narrative in any way. It played more as a publicity stunt. Maybe even an add-on because the rushes were not promising, perhaps. In fact, it was from the moment a loose, flying foot took the wind from naked Jennifer's diaphragm that the film began to deflate. 

I had a bit of fun with NO HARD FEELINGS.   7GUMS.