No Hard Feelings

So clearly a natural comedian from her numerous talk-show appearances and interviews over the past decade-plus, Jennifer Lawrence has nevertheless only appeared in a few funny films. But after the hilarious No Hard Feelings, moviegoers will hopefully get to see the actor let loose in similar ways on a regular basis.

Directed by up-and-coming R-rated comedy specialist Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys), who also wrote the zinger-filled screenplay with John Phillips (Dirty Grandpa), the gloriously raunchy film allows Lawrence’s gifts to shine as Maddie, a 32-year-old Montauk native experiencing an extreme case of arrested development.

Facing the potential loss of her late mother’s home due to unpaid taxes, and unable to pay off her debts with Uber driving since her car has been seized, Maddie accepts the ludicrous yet comedically rich proposal by Allison (Laura Benanti, Life & Beth) and Laird (Matthew Broderick) to deflower their sheltered son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) before he heads to Princeton — in exchange for (what else?) a used Buick.

Thanks to a strong awkward rapport between Lawrence and Feldman, No Hard Feelings serves up consistent silliness as Maddie aggressively flirts with Percy, who’s more interested in being a gentleman than hopping right into bed with his surprise suitor. Along the way, the film also earns big laughs from recurring gags involving Hall & Oates’ “Maneater,” particularly a scene of intense bravery by Lawrence that, if it wasn’t so graphic, would almost certainly play in the montage of clips at her future career achievement award ceremonies.

Without a doubt, Percy will eventually discover the truth, but when he does it ushers in an ill-fitting, forced sincerity that, despite some quality chuckles sprinkled in, dominates the remaining 20 or so minutes. Content with lazy plotting, Stupnitsky and Phillips eschew creativity in this final stretch and additionally fail to develop anyone besides Maddie and Percy beyond a character trait or two, leaving the leads to carry the load.

By that late-breaking lull, however, No Hard Feelings has brought enough smiles to viewers’ faces that the disappointing, suddenly lethargic writing only inflicts so much damage.

Grade: B. Rated R. Now playing at AMC River Hills 10, Carolina Cinemark, and Regal Biltmore Grande.

(Photo: Sony)