I Feel Pretty, written and directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, is the latest comedy vehicle for Amy Schumer, who after seeing her in Trainwreck, I admit to being a fan. I Feel Good is not as good, but at the same time, better than many of the professional critics have claimed it to be. It needs to be said too, that it is nowhere as good as Penny Marshall's wonderful Big, to which it references on multiple occasions and with which it shares a couple of similar plot lines.
Renee Bennett (Schumer) is smart but struggles with low self-esteem and co - manages the website for upmarket cosmetics firm Lily LeClaire, whose CEO is social and business A - lister, Avery LeClaire, founder Lily's grand daughter. For some reason, never really made all that clear, Renee's dream job is to become the head receptionist for the firm, of which it is inferred that one of the key criteria is good looks and a great sense of fashion. After a head injury possibly caused by supernatural means, Renee finds a new sense of self-confidence enabling her to land the job and become Avery's conduit to the "common people", as Avery plans the release of the company's new diffusion line.
The main problem I have with I Feel Pretty is that it tends to send, especially through the second act, mixed messages. Indeed there were times when I think I felt as confused as Renee's 2 besties, Vivian and Jane. The film's underlying premise is aimed primarily ( not exclusively so) at women and is an indictment of the body - shaming culture, pre-dominant in media/social media centred on women. However, the movie seems to undermine this very worthwhile message when making plenty of "plus-size" and "let's be much better than average" jokes at the expense of a number of characters. It rings hollow, though strongly reinforces the main conviction again in the third act.
There are plenty of funny moments still, though I reckon there would have been more, had the studio not gone for a PG-13 friendly script. Schumer, at times, felt like she was being overly nice to what we normally expect from her. Stealing the show however is Michelle Williams, almost unrecognisable as Avery, the corporate savvy, but socially isolated, high-powered businesswoman with the squeaky voice, who comes to rely more and more on her street smart receptionist with the common touch. It was really entertaining seeing this extremely talented actress, known far more for her dramatic roles, doing a very successful comic turn. Similar to when Robert De Niro turned up in Meet the Fockers.
First-time feature film directors Kohn and Silverstein would have ended up with a stronger product, if they'd settled on a tone, and allowed Schumer off the leash more. It ends up being very much a mixed bag which (thankfully) was hardly the case with "Trainwreck," Schumer's often riotous breakout movie medium helmed by Judd Apatow. Perhaps Kohn and Silverstein should have gone and knocked on his door beforehand.
Renee Bennett (Schumer) is smart but struggles with low self-esteem and co - manages the website for upmarket cosmetics firm Lily LeClaire, whose CEO is social and business A - lister, Avery LeClaire, founder Lily's grand daughter. For some reason, never really made all that clear, Renee's dream job is to become the head receptionist for the firm, of which it is inferred that one of the key criteria is good looks and a great sense of fashion. After a head injury possibly caused by supernatural means, Renee finds a new sense of self-confidence enabling her to land the job and become Avery's conduit to the "common people", as Avery plans the release of the company's new diffusion line.
The main problem I have with I Feel Pretty is that it tends to send, especially through the second act, mixed messages. Indeed there were times when I think I felt as confused as Renee's 2 besties, Vivian and Jane. The film's underlying premise is aimed primarily ( not exclusively so) at women and is an indictment of the body - shaming culture, pre-dominant in media/social media centred on women. However, the movie seems to undermine this very worthwhile message when making plenty of "plus-size" and "let's be much better than average" jokes at the expense of a number of characters. It rings hollow, though strongly reinforces the main conviction again in the third act.
There are plenty of funny moments still, though I reckon there would have been more, had the studio not gone for a PG-13 friendly script. Schumer, at times, felt like she was being overly nice to what we normally expect from her. Stealing the show however is Michelle Williams, almost unrecognisable as Avery, the corporate savvy, but socially isolated, high-powered businesswoman with the squeaky voice, who comes to rely more and more on her street smart receptionist with the common touch. It was really entertaining seeing this extremely talented actress, known far more for her dramatic roles, doing a very successful comic turn. Similar to when Robert De Niro turned up in Meet the Fockers.
First-time feature film directors Kohn and Silverstein would have ended up with a stronger product, if they'd settled on a tone, and allowed Schumer off the leash more. It ends up being very much a mixed bag which (thankfully) was hardly the case with "Trainwreck," Schumer's often riotous breakout movie medium helmed by Judd Apatow. Perhaps Kohn and Silverstein should have gone and knocked on his door beforehand.