No Hard Feelings is one of those comedies where the premise is deeply disturbing, but the great writing and talented cast sell it so well that you find yourself laughing anyway. In this romantic comedy, down-on-her-luck waitress Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) is facing bankruptcy after having her car repossessed. Desperate for a new car, she answers an unusual Craigslist ad posted by wealthy parents Allison and Laird Becker (Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick).
The Beckers are worried about their 18-year-old son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) starting college in the fall, as he is shy, awkward and inexperienced. So they hire Maddie to “date” Percy, without giving him any idea what’s happening. (See? Told you it was disturbing.)
But as Maddie’s over-the-top attempts to seduce Percy turn into a real friendship, Maddie begins to open up about her complicated past while Percy learns to stand on his own two feet. There’s hilariously shocking physical comedy (a naked fist fight occurs — we won’t reveal the participants) and a warm sweetness that will move and surprise you.