No Hard Feelings' stars have addressed the controversy surrounding the premise of Jennifer Lawrence's raunchy comedy.
Directed by Gene Stupnitsky and produced by the Hunger Games star, the film follows down-on-her-luck 32-year-old Maddie (Lawrence) as she answers a listing to date introverted 19-year-old Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman).
The ad was put online by Percy's "helicopter" parents, played by Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick.
Related: Jennifer Lawrence was "immediately" turned down for Twilight
"It's a cautionary tale," Benanti told The Hollywood Reporter.
"If you are a helicopter parent who puts your child in such a bubble, they do not know how to exist outside of that bubble, you are going to make the exact opposite and insane choice, which is what they are doing here.
What to Read Next
Related: Jennifer Lawrence's new movie does something completely unexpected
"I feel like it is a very satirical look at what can happen if you do not give your children a longer leash to figure things out for themselves. Otherwise, you're going to end up curating their life forever."
Broderick echoed his co-star's feelings, highlighting how their characters decide to interfere with the natural unfolding of events.
Related: Jennifer Lawrence would be "scared" to work with a certain type of actor
"I guess what happens is when a kid goes off to school, it's so frightening that they'll be happy and they'll make friends and they'll take care of themselves that some parents go to any length to make that transition work. And it's a hard time," he said.
"I've been through it. But you really have to let them make it on their own. But these parents decide to mess with nature."
Speaking about the age gap between the two leads, Natalie Morales, who portrays Maddie's friend Sarah, noted how it's still very prevalent to have older male characters playing opposite younger women, but not the other way around. (And that includes Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, who's 15 years her senior, in Silver Linings Playbook.)
"Have you seen The Graduate?" Morales asked. "[Lawrence is] supposed to be playing an older woman.
"There are so many movies where the male lead is much older than the female lead, and TV shows especially, and nobody bats an eye. So what's the difference."
No Hard Feelings is in cinemas now.
Best Entertainment and Tech Deals
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
