So, I’m going to get right into this because WOW.

I admit, I am not a fan of Amy Schumer, cliche’s or comedies, but when my best friend told me ‘hey this is what we’re seeing for my birthday’, I couldn’t exactly complain.

I’m glad I didn’t.

Apart from some bad humour and literal cringe moments that had me like:

This movie was inspiring, realistic and NEEDED.

Renee Barrett: I’ve always wondered what it feels like to be just undeniably pretty.

For a short summary, I Feel Pretty is a comedy about Renee Bennet (Amy Schumer), who struggles with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy on a daily basis, wakes from a fall believing she is suddenly the most beautiful and capable woman on the planet. With this newfound confidence, she is empowered to live her life fearlessly and flawlessly, but what will happen when she realises her appearance never changed?

If we ignore the B-Level love scenario and horrible, horrible acting by Tom Hopper, this story outlines what it really means for someone who is insecure to live their everyday lives vying for someone to make them feel better than they feel, only to realise you have to love yourself before others can love you. For someone who can testify exactly what it feels like to feel fatter or less funny or unliked, the life of Renee really related to what I felt about myself. Twisting this truth in with some hilarious moments like going to SoulCycle and meeting Ethan (precious, precious Ethan) let this comedy be something I enjoyed rather than got annoyed with.

Obviously, certain aspects were heightened like every thin girl looking disgusted with Renee, but this only added to the realism of the situation. This scenario is an example of this:

Salesgirl: Are you shopping for a gift?
Renee Barrett: I’m kind of browsing for me.
Salesgirl: So sizing is a little limited here in the store, but you could probably find your size online.

Those girls may have not even glanced Renee’s way from any one else’s perspective, but when you’re so insecure about yourself, you feel as if everyone is always watching, waiting to make a snide remark.

On the other side, we had Avery, the ‘prettiest’ socialite that ever walked the Earth from Renee’s point of view. After being hired by Avery – who is trying to run a new scheme for her high fashion makeup brand to broadcast it to a more accessible platform for people who can’t afford the brand – Renee finds out that even this girl, who is perfect in every way, is just as insecure as Renee herself. This added layer of personality and character development really did it for me because it clearly shows that we all see ourselves in a negative light.

The beautiful Avery.

Overall, the depiction of the story line made this movie a good one for me.

“I have a crazy idea, let’s be honest for a minute. No matter how many times we hear, “It’s what’s on the inside that matters,” women know deep down it’s what’s on the outside that the whole world judges.” -Renee Barrett

I truly believe that this movie – for those who will give it a chance – will really change how we see ourselves and other people.

Leave your thoughts in the comments: What movie or book resonates with something in your life?

-E