I Feel Pretty review: Amy Schumer leads the cast of this serviceable and often funny comedy, one which, however, can’t quite manage to hit it out of the park
I Feel Pretty review by Andrew Gaudion.
I Feel Pretty review
Amy Schumer was once touted as the next big thing in American comedy. Her sketch show Inside Amy Schumer displayed her unique blend of close to the cuff humour and whimsical sense of self-awareness and turned a lot of heads. Her debut film as both star and writer, Trainwreck turned even more, even if the film itself doesn’t quite deliver the promise displayed in her hit sketch show. Things took a turn for the worse with last summer’s Snatched a dismally unfunny studio comedy which paired her with Goldie Hawn. Public opinion itself has taken a bit of a bitter tone towards Schumer as a result of not only her recent work but often questionable public statements.
She could do with a hit. She’ll be looking for it in the form of I Feel Pretty, her new high concept comedy following Schumer as Renee, a woman who sees her self-esteem issues fall to the wayside after a head injury leaves her thinking she has turned into an undeniably gorgeous supermodel-esque woman.
I Feel Pretty review
The concept certainly has legs for a studio comedy: a transformation situation in which a transformation hasn’t actually occurred used as a means of exploring complicated issues with body image does certainly have potential to offer an insightful view in tune with modern sensibilities. While I Feel Pretty does have moments where it manages to explore notions of empowerment in a funny and thoughtful manner, it does also struggle in key moments, often failing to truly establish a sense of conviction.
Related: Snatched review
There is no shaking the feeling that I Feel Pretty is trying to very much have its cake and eat it too. At moments we are expected to laugh at moments which uses Schumer’s weight and appearance, but then also condemns individuals who do so in the film. It aims to develop a message to empower women who feel pressured to compare themselves to impossible standards and feel insecure about their own appearance. The film makes some smart decisions; we never see what Renee believes to be her transformed self and the film does express that confidence is more attractive than looks. But I Feel Pretty often fails to address those concerns to the right people within the world of the film itself, leaving to some well-meaning gestures feeling quite empty.
I Feel Pretty review
That being said, this is most certainly the most charming Schumer has been on the big screen. She clearly has cares a great deal for the greater message of the film, even if the script doesn’t it particularly well, and she is fantastic at the more outlandish elements, really selling the transformation gimmick by playing it with exuberance, with her performance proving to be quite charming throughout. Michelle Williams is also great comic support, and Rory Scovel makes for an endearing love interest.
I would recommend I Feel Pretty, as it is a film that did clearly work for a fair few people, and while it is a likeable comedy with a sweet message at its heart, it often struggles to articulate its concerns in a manner which feels concise and clear. It does however stand as a charming display of Schumer’s talents as a lead and as a comic, which may well be enough to begin to sway public opinion. Well, at least the opinion of those stay still have enough of a passing interest in her to buy a ticket. Certainly an improvement over Snatched, but it doesn’t quite knock the promising premise out of the park, leading to a serviceable often funny comedy which struggles to establish just what it wants to be.
I Feel Pretty review by Andrew Gaudion, April 2018.
I Feel Pretty is released in UK cinemas on Friday 4th May 2018.
