I Feel Pretty

Certainly no one knew that Amy Schumer’s empowerment comedy would be released the same week that intrepid Southwest Airlines pilot Tammie Jo Shults safely landed her crippled aircraft. In the aftermath, no one asked Shults about her dress-size or makeup, which should be irrelevant in a world where a woman’s training, skill, and intelligence are valued far above her physical appearance. But not in insecure Renee Bennett’s world, where a woman is judged only by how she looks. So when Renee (Schumer), wearing a bra and Spanx, looks in a full-length mirror, she’s filled with self-loathing. Renee’s only wish is to be beautiful. Working in the squalid, tech-support office of a global cosmetics company, she’s too timid to apply for a receptionist’s job in the fancy Fifth Avenue headquarters. Then she falls off a bike in a SoulCycle class, suffering a concussion. Suddenly, Renee’s delusional, convinced that she’s not only gorgeous but irresistible to men. Miraculously self-confident and energetic, Renee not only lands that receptionist’s job but also becomes an integral part of the company’s new marketing program under the aegis of CEO Avery LeClair (Michelle Williams). Plus, she brazenly picks up a boyfriend (Rory Scovel) at the dry cleaners. Unfortunately, writer-directors Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein deliver clunky rom-com skits and condescending platitudes instead of plausible scenes and clever dialogue. So while the message about low self-esteem is definitely worthwhile, the execution here is muddled, squandering Schumer’s exuberant talent. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (9 min.), a gag reel (6 min.), and a brief “Being Pretty” behind-the-scenes segment. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an uneven comedy.] (S. Granger)