by Jennifer Lawrence: Finding Her Funniest Role Yet in ‘No Hard Feelings’
Jennifer Lawrence has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses over the past decade. From dramatic roles in films like Winter’s Bone and Silver Linings Playbook to blockbuster franchises like The Hunger Games and X-Men, she has proven her ability to tackle a wide range of characters and genres. However, Lawrence has also shown that she has a gift for comedy and an uncanny sense of comedic timing. While she has delivered many funny moments throughout her career, her performance in the 2023 comedy No Hard Feelings is widely seen as her funniest role to date.
In No Hard Feelings, Lawrence stars as Maddie, a down-on-her-luck woman in her thirties who takes on an unusual new job – pretending to be the girlfriend of a wealthy family’s awkward teenage son. Directed by Gene Stupnitsky (Bad Teacher, Year One), the film embraces physical humor and outrageous situations as Maddie finds herself immersed in the bizarre world of her fake boyfriend and his parents. Lawrence embraces the absurd premise with gusto, unafraid to look silly and commit fully to the comedy. The result is a hilarious and heartwarming film that allows Lawrence’s comedic talents to shine in a uniquely funny role.
While Lawrence has shown comedic chops in past films like American Hustle, Joy, and the X-Men franchise, No Hard Feelings gives her an opportunity to fully lean into comedy in the starring role. The wild plot and unpredictable scenarios allow Lawrence to flex her skills with timing, delivery, and physical comedy. She also has strong chemistry with her young co-star Charlie Plummer, who plays her fake boyfriend Graham. Their scenes together are hilarious as the odd couple navigates family dinners, school functions, and other awkward moments that come with their fake relationship.
Lawrence fully commits to every comedic beat, from exaggerated facial expressions to pratfalls and slapstick. She’s not afraid to look silly, whether that means stuffing her face with food, falling into a pool with all her clothes on, or engaging in immature antics like food fights. However, Lawrence also brings her signature wit and charisma, selling even the most absurd lines of dialogue with perfect comedic delivery. The script, penned by Mark Hammer (The King of Staten Island, Daddy’s Home), is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that Lawrence elevates with her talent and enthusiasm.
While Lawrence has proven herself a versatile dramatic actress, her background is in comedy. She got her start on TV sitcoms like The Bill Engvall Show before breaking out in more comedic films. No Hard Feelings serves as a return to her roots in many ways after she took a brief break from acting. The film reminds audiences of Lawrence’s comedic abilities and how talented she is at eliciting big laughs. Under Stupnitsky’s direction, she fully commits to the silly premise and lands every joke with pitch perfect timing and energy.
The comedy in No Hard Feelings comes not just from the outrageous situations but also Lawrence’s natural charisma and ability to find humor in relatable awkwardness. Maddie is a messy character who means well but often puts her foot in her mouth. Lawrence imbues her with empathy as she stumbles through lies, mishaps, and embarrassing moments. Even when the scenarios are completely absurd, Lawrence grounds it with her likable, down-to-earth presence. She has a gift for finding realism within ridiculous comedy.
Early reviews have praised No Hard Feelings for being a true return to form for Lawrence in the comedy genre. Critics note that the film highlights her comedic skills and knack for physical humor better than any of her previous roles. While Lawrence remains one of the most talented dramatic actresses of her generation, No Hard Feelings proves that when it comes to comedy, she has truly found her funniest role to date. With impeccable comedic timing, a willingness to look silly, and her natural charisma, Lawrence steals every scene and leaves audiences in stitches. For fans looking for a good laugh, No Hard Feelings delivers an hilarious performance from one of Hollywood’s most versatile stars.
