Tropic Sprockets / No Hard Feelings

By Ian Brockway

Teenager and gross out comedies have a rich history in cinema starting with “Animal House” (1978) and continuing with the good-natured films of John Hughes, “Sixteen Candles” (1984) and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986). The irreverent yet amiable tone had a renaissance in the 2000s with “Superbad” and “Knocked Up” both directed in 2007 by Judd Apatow. 

In continuation of the spirit of edgy affection, “No Hard Feelings” by director Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys) is a successful and sincerely funny example of the genre.

Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) is an Uber driver down on her luck. She is about to lose her car and her family home. 

Just by chance, Maddie’s friend spies an online ad asking for a girlfriend to help a shy college age boy date and overcome his social awkwardness. In payment, the friend will receive a Buick Regal.

Maddie decides to respond thinking that it could not entail much intensity.

The boy’s parents are the obsessive and overzealous Allison (Laura Benanti) and Laird (Matthew Broderick, who disguises his history in this film genre.

Maddie sees a photo of the pale and reclusive Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) and readily agrees thinking he is cute.

Maddie resolves to meet Percy where he volunteers with the pretense of adopting a dog. Percy is understandably flustered and tongue tied, but also can’t believe his luck. The boy agrees to be taken home by Maddie in a dark panel van. When Maddie flirtatiously talks about kidnapping him, Percy flips out and sprays Maddie with a can of Mace.

Events get even more chaotic.

Maddie is beside herself in comic desperation. The jokes and dialogue work because the lead actors Lawrence and Feldman are entirely authentic. Jennifer Lawrence has great comic verve and Andrew Barth Feldman has the nervous energy of a young Woody Allen.

What starts as squeamish and far-fetched evolves into something buoyant and spirited with vulnerability because the two leads never lose energy.

While the dénouement is predictable, this film has genuine scenes of great and good heart and you will have a lot of fun, feeling the spirit of the 1990s once more. 

Write Ian at [email protected]

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