I Feel Pretty is a film made to hopefully evoke confidence in women. It is squarely aimed at younger women but still appeals to women of all ages. It’s not a movie made for me, a 30-something male, but there’s enough there to make it entertaining for almost anyone watching, even if they aren’t the target audience. Let’s take a deeper look at our I Feel Pretty review.
Films featuring women going wild have become very popular over the last few years. Bad Moms, A Bad Moms Christmas, and Girls Trip are just a few of the films in which women take charge and even go a bit crazy. They offer over the top antics, with humor and plots that cater toward women and in some cases feel very similar to The Hangover series of films. I Feel Pretty shares quite a bit with these films, but also tries to send home a message in a mid-90s sitcom kind of way. It’s certainly not the best movie you’ll see this Spring, but it was entertaining enough.
I Feel Pretty stars comedian Amy Schumer as Renee Bennett, an IT associate for a major women’s cosmetic company. She stars alongside Busy Philipps and Aidy Bryant who serve as Renee’s best friends, Jane and Vivian, respectively. While Schumer does her normal comedy routine, making fun of her physical appearance, it’s Michelle Williams who truly steals the show and elevates the film.
Williams plays Avery LeClaire, head of the cosmetic company, and fully embodies the character. Everything from her voice to her posture and movements is perfect. It can be difficult for well-known stars to completely embody a character. For instance, it doesn’t matter who Denzel Washington is playing or how good his acting is, it still feels like you’re watching Denzel Washington playing the character instead of simply watching the character on screen. However, Williams disappears into Avery LeClaire, and for some, she may even be unrecognizable (which is a good thing).
From a plot standpoint, I Feel Pretty is a bit shallow. The film is very predictable and doesn’t offer anything audiences haven’t already seen. A majority of the jokes go over well, but there are plenty that simply falls flat. Even if you’re a fan of Schumer’s style of comedy, you won’t laugh at every joke in the film.
Despite some of the craziness that occurs, I Feel Pretty is here to send a message to young women. It’s okay to be who you are and love who you are. Confidence is a key element in the film, expressed by several of the main characters. People from all walks of life lack confidence in the movie, with some feeling very real, such as Emily Ratajkowski’s Mallory, with others serving as comic relief, which is the case with Adrian Martinez’ Mason character.
While I Feel Pretty runs a bit long at just shy of two hours, there’s a lot to like about the film. If you’re a woman who enjoys crude humor and can suspend belief for a couple of hours, I Feel Pretty is for you. For the wider audience, the film isn’t amazing, and you won’t be talking about it after you leave the theater, but there are far less entertaining ways to spend two hours of your time. If your date wants to see I Feel Pretty, there’s plenty to enjoy here.
About I Feel Pretty
Synopsis: A woman struggling with insecurity wakes from a fall believing she is the most beautiful and capable woman on the planet. Her new confidence empowers her to live fearlessly, but what happens when she realizes her appearance never changed?
Directors: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein
Writers: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein
Stars: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 Hour, 50 Minutes
Bryan Dawson has been writing professionally since the age of 13. He started his career as a video game writer and has since worked for Random House, Prima Games, DirecTV, IGN, AOL, the British Government, and various other organizations. For GNN, Bryan taps into his passion for movies.
