I Feel Pretty

"I Feel Pretty" (2018) may not be the greatest movie, but it's not a bad one either, at least not as bad as its current IMDb rating, 3.4 out of 10, shows. What's puzzling (well, only slightly, given the video-gaming world we live in) is that movies having stories and subjects very little to do with reality: space operas, movies about superheroes... practically by default get higher rating, at least 7 out of 10, while not-at-all bad movies, but, in comparison to former, slightly unattractive since so unexcitingly set in real life, get often an average, or, as in this case, a very low rating. So, which of the two is more important quality of the movies (today), having the story told well nested in reality, or their technical superiority?

Answers will offer opposing views, but numbers show that great majority of viewers appreciate later. I have also enjoyed spectacular show while watching the ginormous gorilla George (Saint George) killing the augmented alligator (slaying the dragon), in latest IMAX theatres' favourite "Rampage" (2018), but what's the point? There's no point, because point is supposed to make sense, and there's a little sense outside of reality. On contrary, as unimpressive as it is, "I Feel Pretty" is so real, and as such, more relevant in everyday life.

Appealing factor in "I Feel Pretty" is the fact that movie managed to remain realistic in giving a believable reason (a head injury accident in a gym) for the main vehicle moving the story forward, i.e. for the changed perception of herself the main character goes through, therefore gaining confidence and modifying the way she carries herself. Regular movie goer with longer viewing experience will easily recall how numerous other, pretty good movies from the past managed to be quite entertaining, but only after fantastic premise has been served. Time-traveling movies, well represented by "Back to the Future" trilogy (1985, 1986, 1990) with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, long list of body-swapping fantasies like "Freaky Friday" (1976) with Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster (or Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in its 2003 remake) as mother and daughter whose personalities switch their bodies, Bill Murray's character repeatedly reliving the same day in "Groundhog Day" (1993), Michael Keaton's character quadrupled by cloning in "Multiplicity"... to name a few. So, once we accept the fantastic premise, those movies are even more entertaining than the one reviewed here, at least leaving to "I Feel Pretty" advantage of having no fantasy infusion required, thus deserving the coveted attribute of being realistic.

Thanks to already veteran writers/first time directors, Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, for coming up with a realistic reason (even though already seen before) for vital twist that propels the story. Though quite repeatedly, Ms. Amy Schumer successfully gets the (known) message (on getting the inner splendor loose) across, and, while doing so, achieves fluent and humoristic narrative, making it easy to accept her character, Renee Bennett, suddenly not limited only to her inner beauty, a point surely aided by the fact that actress herself doesn't even fall in to the only other category... less beautiful... long ago advised as applicable for women.

Contrasting the dominant, loud female lead with her quiet, not shy (to deliver the line "Can I be you when I grow up?") but rather laid back, eventually boyfriend Ethan (Rory Scovel) was helpful. Other contributive "witnesses" include friends Vivian and Jane (Aidy Bryant and Busy Philipps), and quietly hysterical office mate Mason (Aidan Martinez).

Finally, in her supporting role as Avery LeClair, heiress to cosmetic line, although for her corporate position apparently sufficiently highly educated and quite well looking, Michelle Williams feels unsecure and requires help, so she uses suddenly wonderfully uninhibited Renee to deal with her physical (vocal) limitations, lack of business ideas, and other frustrations of her somewhat awkward position. Already established as dramatic actress, Williams uses this chance well to skillfully break into comedic acting by spicing her character with a touch of restrained lunacy.

In conclusion, film is at times touching, sufficiently amusing, and positively motivating... all of which should, hopefully, help (not only) girls "feel pretty and witty and bright!" (Line excerpted from the musical "West Side Story" and its song of the same title "I Feel Pretty".)

Really not the biggest fan of Amy Schumer, don't think she's that funny. Trainwreck was okay and Snatched was not very funny at all. I liked the trailer for I Feel Pretty because it seemed like an absurd idea but one that I really wanted to see play it. I get that the film had controversy surrounding the casting and content for the premise of the film but my reviews keep outside controversies separated from the review of the film. The film has a few moments where you laugh but most of the good stuff is already in the trailer.

The film is about a very insecure girl named Renee and her struggles with everyday acceptance. One day she hits her head while at a soul cycle gym which changes her outlook on her appearance, despite there being no discernible change. All of a sudden her confidence skyrockets, she gets her dream job, starts hanging with a different social circle, and finds a man. Obviously, this feeling and life that she perceives cannot last forever.

I think Schumer does a good job in the role. The film works at many stages when its not supposed to because Schumer can sell it. I'd commend Michelle Williams as well as this was a different type of role for her and it actually came off well. As mentioned earlier the laughs are sparse. The best laughs are seen in the trailer. The film srunning length doesn't help as there are passages which feel dull and unnecessary. Like the whole arc with Tom Hopper's character. The film becomes predictable as you know exactly where it goes before it gets there. The end message is a good one but one you saw coming miles away.

Overall, I think there is so much that could have been done in terms of humor with this film but it was a missed opportunity. You had a really committed Amy Schumer to boot but didn't really deliver in the writing of the script. The film gets pretty mixed on what it wants to say as the journey goes on, which a lot of people won't like. I'm open to seeing Schumer in something better. Interesting idea, mostly failed delivery.

6/10

'I Feel Pretty' is a mostly-straightforward romantic comedy from the writers of 'Never Been Kissed', 'He's Just Not That Into You' and 'How To Be Single', so it's safe to assume you know pretty much what to expect. There's also a nice twist on the tried-and-tested body-switch plot - Renee (Schumer) hits her head and believes she has achieved her dream of becoming beautiful.

Renee believing she's the hottest woman alive is where a lot of the humour comes from, but also some of the missteps - since Renee and her two friends, Jane (Phillips) and Vivian (Bryant), are not actually ugly. It's also where most of the sincere moments come from - it's not all about what you look like, but the confidence you have in yourself, highlighted in a rousing speech by Schumer near the end. She's (mostly) not too over-the-top and is (mostly) easy to cheer for.

While not focusing solely on girl-meets-boy/falls-in-love/separate/get-back-together, it still manages to fit that all in, with Ethan (Scovel) a decent foil to Schumer. It's annoying that the backdrop to a film that's actually about not worrying about looks is centered around a make-up company, run by Avery (Williams) and Grant (Hopper) - both mostly pointless. Overall, it's not as good as 'Trainwreck', but nor is it a totally vapid "chick flick".

I don't generally watch movies that rate under 6 stars just to save wasting time. I don't think I'll do that anymore.

I went to see I Feel Pretty with a friend as the trailer had me hooked. I literally just created a IMDB account to leave a review because I just honestly can't believe how many awful reviews there are about this movie! Amy Schumer is every woman and I LOVED her in this. I laughed and nearly cried and above all felt empowered and walked out of the cinema feeling great about myself. Not many movies can do that.

The character development and screenwriting are both very sound, and although nothing we haven't seen before, this film is fun, loveable and simply one of the best 'feel good' movies I've seen in a long time.

Please don't let the ratings turn you off... It's hilarious. I can't wait to take my sister and mum and anyone else who will see it with me.

Loved the message of the movie, was funny and clever and not making fun of her for being not a twig!