Jennifer Lawrence Enjoys the Role of a ‘Chaotic and Unruly’ Character in ‘No Hard Feelings’

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A cherished rom-com plot often revolves around an immature, flippant man, who appears beyond redemption, falls for a woman who inspires him to rectify his ways.

However, “No Hard Feelings,” set to debut in theaters on Friday, has Director Gene Stupnitsky flipping this gender stereotype on its head, with Jennifer Lawrence cast as his unconventional lead.

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“The character we visualized was someone who takes shortcuts, is idle, lacks healthy eating habits, indulges in smoking pot and drinking, and hardly takes things seriously,” explained Stupnitsky, talking about the character that he and co-writer, John Phillips, conceived. “Such traits, when portrayed by a male character, have become clichéd. It’s not intriguing anymore.”

The storyline of “No Hard Feelings” trails Lawrence’s character, Maddie, as she plots with the parents of an introverted 19-year-old (played by Andrew Barth Feldman), to sleep with him before he departs for college, in return for a car. The boy remains clueless about this arrangement, leading Maddie to attempt to entice the shy academic who is significantly younger.

Lawrence admitted that the allure of this “chaotic and disorderly” character was one of the factors that attracted her to the film. “The character’s sheer determination and unstoppable ambition were incredibly compelling.”

The movie is inspired by an actual Craigslist post discovered by the producers years ago. In the film, a similar ad incites Maddie — desperate to maintain her late mother’s house by continuing her job as an Uber driver — to respond.

Stupnitsky thought the post, besides being quite humorous, presented an excellent opportunity to explore various pertinent issues.

“The phenomenon of over-involved parents is real. There were numerous reports on sex workers, and a variety of themes were converging — the class disparities, and more,” stated Stupnitsky, an Emmy-nominated writer for “The Office,” who directed “Good Boys” in 2019 and co-wrote the adult-rated comedy “Bad Teacher” featuring Cameron Diaz. “The aim is not to provide answers, but to provoke thought on these diverse concepts. I’m still contemplating my stance on all of it, but my favored comedies typically delve into deeper themes.”

The film incorporates many clichés from the rom-com genre, including crass jokes, uncomfortable dating scenes, and unexpected nudity, but not in the anticipated manner.

“I had no qualms,” Lawrence confessed when questioned about her views on nude scenes, something she was initially hesitant about during her role in the 2018 thriller, “Red Sparrow”. “Once you’ve done it, it’s over.”

Speculations and eager anticipations surrounded the Oscar-winning actress’s debut in the adult comedy genre, after the premiere of the first “No Hard Feelings” trailer, hinting at a presupposition that this type of film might be beneath her caliber.

“I’m unsure,” she remarked when asked why people might not expect her to feature in a comedy. “The approach is the same. It won’t be amusing if you announce, ‘I’m going to crack a joke now.’ You need to genuinely mean what you’re saying.”

Lawrence has been keen on doing a comedy for a while and has been offered numerous scripts. But none of them were humorous enough until she came across the one from Stupnitsky.

“I’ve interacted with her socially over the years, and I’m aware of her knack for comedy and her fondness for it,” Stupnitsky revealed. “She’s done satire and comedic dramas before, but for a full-on adult-rated comedy, I just selfishly wanted her for myself.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jennifer Lawrence in ‘No Hard Feelings’

More about Jennifer Lawrence in ‘No Hard Feelings’

• Jennifer Lawrence’s IMDb Profile
• Gene Stupnitsky’s IMDb Profile
• ‘No Hard Feelings’ on IMDb
• Jennifer Lawrence’s Role in ‘Red Sparrow’