'No Suffering' review: Jennifer Lawrence shines in sweet and saucy summer comedy

It was in this dire situation that Maddie came across a peculiar Craigslist ad. Desperate for their son (Andrew Bart Feldman) to gain confidence before college, a wealthy couple (Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick) are looking for a casual date people. They hope that love, lust, and sexual experimentation will ease a child’s anxiety into adulthood. Oh, and they’ll give away the family’s old Buick to whoever gets the job done.

This premise triggers the action in No Hard Feelings. Directed and co-written by Stupnitsky (Good Boys), the film is based on early crude comedies—the kind of mid-budget studio film that would eventually be Buried in the movie. The algorithms of streaming services these days are insane. This breezy, refreshingly low-stakes comedy will have you giggling, if not necessarily rolling on the floor. But it also has a surprising amount of heart.

Lawrence is a big reason why No Hard Feelings succeeds. She is a fiercely independent, emotionally avoidant, curmudgeonly lover with a sharp, sassy personality. Watching the actress embrace her goofy tone is fun, but her dramatic skills are also a boon, adding depth to a potentially monotonous character and making it easier to believe in the film’s more emotional shifts later on.

After responding to the Craigslist ad, Maddie (still without a car) rolls up to the Beckers’ home on roller skates. The entire scene, from Tracy McGrady’s effort to slide up the hill to her interview with her parents, is filled with a sarcastic, awkward humor that might remind viewers that Stupnitsky honed his skills as a writer on “The Office.” .

Maddie managed to convince Alison (Benanti) and Laird (Broderick) even though she was older than required (early to mid s) , she’s the right person to help their son Percy (Feldman) out of trouble. As things unfold, Maddie must keep her communication with her parents a secret and have a cute meeting with Percy. Their first encounter was at the animal shelter where Percy worked for the summer. He’s not a local like Maddie; he’s a local. He’s a “summer guy,” the term McGrady scornfully uses to refer to vacationers who drive up the cost of living.

Maddie comes off as strong, while Percy prefers to be alone, rejecting her initial advances. Feldman’s chronically uncomfortable teen plays well with Lawrence’s feisty bunny adult. The two represent the generation gap between Gen Z and older millennials, a contrast that provides fodder for many of the film’s jokes. Maddy didn’t understand why Percy didn’t drink, or how to drive, or why he wasn’t always sexually active. “What the hell happened to your generation?” The response turns into a restrained one that starts to get tired by the end of the movie. Percy, on the other hand, finds himself both attracted and intimidated by Maddy, whom he more than once thinks embodies the Hall and Oates song “Maneater.”

There’s more to each of these characters than meets the eye. Stupnitsky tones down the intensity of the first act — with its sharp comedic timing and energetic slapstick — to make way for a sweet moment with Maddie and Percy. Over a series of dates, the two realize they have more in common than they first thought. Mattie tells Percy why she never left Montauk, and Percy grows more confident, finding little moments to act on his bolder impulses.

While committing to a particular sentimentalism, No Hard Feelings doesn’t quite lean towards what some might expect Rough content. Trailer or early buzz. It’s also not going to be a licorice pizza type of story – Maddie is well aware of her end goal, and Percy’s embarrassment can’t be overcome so easily. From the very beginning, the film shows that the bond between these two lonely souls is built on the strength of their friendship. The film’s transition to something more emotional isn’t seamless—the narrative takes a few clumsy turns to carry itself along—but it’s endearing nonetheless. 43 Full credits 43

Director: Gene Stupnitsky Writers: Gene Stupnitsky, John Phillips Producers: Alex Sacks, Naomi Odenkirk, Mark Provisello, Jennifer Lawrence, Justin Ciarocchi

Editor: Brent White
Composers: Mychael Danna, Jessica Rose Weiss Casting Director: Rich Delia Rated R, 1 hour 43 minutes

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