‘I Feel Pretty’ Blu-Ray Review: Interesting Premise Doesn’t Fully Deliver For Amy Schumer Comedy

Amy Schumer is an accomplished comedian and actress, with I Feel Pretty being her latest venture in film. Directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, Schumer stars as Renee, a woman whose greatest wish is to become beautiful.

I FEEL PRETTY BLU-RAY REVIEW

Although the film touches upon how even stunning women harbor insecurities, I Feel Pretty is primarily a story about learning to be comfortable with your appearance. It revolves around Renee who, surrounded by media that flaunt beautiful, shapely women, wants to become attractive. She lives a fairly monotonous life, working for Lily LeClaire’s prestigious cosmetic company in its remote office, and she sometimes hangs out with her two best friends (played by Busy Philipps and Aidy Bryant). While Renee does work hard at achieving her dream, she never seems to make any progress.

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Our leading lady begins hitting the gym, an act that ultimately leaves her with head trauma after she falls off an exercise bike. Upon waking up, Renee’s self-perception changes, now seeing herself as the striking specimen she always wanted to be. Rather than drive to the hospital for potentially needed medical treatment, Renee continues her daily routine. Her self-perceived new facade inspired her, giving her the self-confidence she lacked. She applies for and gets a secretary position when interviewed by CEO Avery LeClaire (Michelle Williams), and she (somewhat forcefully) gains a boyfriend, winning both over with her charisma. When she bonks her head again and no longer believes she’s pretty, her demeanor and posture reverts. It is interesting seeing Renee’s confidence and mindset progress, demonstrating how one’s attractiveness isn’t merely gauged by their body.

Showcasing a take on this real-world issue women are confronted with is laudable, but the movie itself unfortunately doesn’t fully commit to it. Perhaps the most egregious representation of this is the bikini contest, where Renee enthusiastically jumps on stage, grinding and dancing to music. I honestly wasn’t sure if this scene was intended to be comical, but it nevertheless undercut the film’s message when Renee loses to a supermodel-esque woman. And while the predictable saccharine ending boasts a nice message about body positivity, it directly clashes with the movie’s tired jokes about Renee’s plus-size wardrobe. Additionally, while the cast was fine — with Schumer and Williams as the standouts — they ultimately couldn’t salvage the bland script they were given.

If you’re looking for insight regarding I Feel Pretty’s creation in the Blu-ray’s special features, you’ll be disappointed. The deleted scenes are the star of the show, and a gag reel and a few trailers are included as well.

Article by Matt Reisine

A writer for uInterview who harbors an unwavering passion for film and video games.