I Feel Pretty (2018)

Directed by: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein | 110 minutes | comedy | Actors: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Tom Hopper, Rory Scovel, Adrian Martinez, Emily Ratajkowski, Aidy Bryant, Busy Philipps, Lauren Hutton, Sasheer Zamata, Angela Davis, Caroline Day, Anastagia Pierre Friel, Gia Crovatin, Olivia Culpo, Naomi Campbell

The controversial Amy Schumer has managed to deliver a film that has been slammed by critics with ‘I Feel Pretty’. This comedy has been called “misogynistic” and “crass” by the press. Painful for a film intended to give women more self-confidence…

In ‘I Feel Pretty’ the self-image of insecure Renee Bennett (Schumer) changes when she falls off her bike and hits her head during an intensive visit to the gym. The blow makes her think she’s a toned supermodel and not an average-sized woman. Her regained self-confidence makes her a completely different person. She still looks the same, but her self and world view have changed. Renee 2.0 dares, does and dances more. It earns her a boyfriend and a new job at the cosmetics company she works for, but drives her away from her friends. After a second visit to the gym, she ends up on her head again. The ‘enchantment’ and her confidence is gone. Just before an important presentation that requires her self-confidence. What now?

One point that many critics fall for is that Schumer has a normal build and plays a woman who is very insecure about her body. She was said to be too “thin” and “too pretty” for the part. Another point of criticism is that the blow to the head during the gym visit should ensure self-acceptance. The fact that our heroine carries out a moralistic message in the superficial cosmetics sector can also count on irritation. Well. The transition from insecure to confident can be called quite abrupt and even a bit dubious, but it is a trick to get a message across.

The fact is that the intentions of ‘I Feel Pretty’ are good and Schumer wants to encourage women. Be proud of who you are and what you look like: everyone is unique. This message should give girls a sense of empowerment. The for her very modest interpretation of the usually much flatter Schumer conveys the lesson of life well. It is noticeable that this film is close to her heart, because she gives herself completely. The American comedienne has also clearly grown as an actress and can also handle the more dramatic scenes.

As a feel-good film for the target group (women who are somewhat insecure or struggle with low self-esteem), this is a bull’s eye. Perhaps less so for critics. Or as the Americans say ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.