Lopez Looks Great, But the Story is Ho Hum

Jennifer Lopez is the main draw for this rom/com that really isn’t so funny! In fact, there’s an at-home childbirth scene that should have been left on the cutting room floor; painful in every way. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame Lopez for wanting to jump back into the movie-making game; she looks fabulous and ... she walks the Red Carpet ever so elegantly. Remember those mink false eyelashes she wore to the Academy Awards? The thing is, in Hollywood, you have to get back in the game and its been 5 years since her last film; unfortunately she should have waited for a better script!

Jennifer plays Zoe, an independent Manhattan pet shop owner who hasn’t met ‘Mr. Right’ yet. She desires children and decides to become artificially inseminated without a man in her life. She’s a take-charge type of modern woman and is following her heart. The day she goes through with the procedure, she has a ‘cute meet’ with future boyfriend Stan, played by Alex O’Loughlin, an Australian hunky enough actor. They both get in the same cab at the same time as viewed in the previews. Oh...please. They could have at least met at the trendy Tribeca Farmer’s Market where he sells goat cheese every week!

Stan is a goat cheese farmer who doesn’t live too far out of town. As fate may have it, the duos romance blossoms. The problem is that their characters aren’t developed enough so therefore, we really don’t care too much about them. Another drawback is that everything about them is rushed and fakey! From the first unrealistic  backyard outside dining New York restaurant scene with a gazillion candles to the cheese storage space on Sam’s farm with the same zillion candles. I remember reading somewhere that Jennifer Lopez loves candles and places them on pedestals at the foot of her bed. And...when Ben Afleck proposed to her, his mother helped him place candles everywhere throughout his boyhood home so he could win her heart when he popped the question. All I can say is too bad Lopez only had creative control of the candles...she should have aimed higher and grabbed control of the script!

Zoe does find out that she is indeed pregnant and keeps this news secret from Stan... like forever. When he does find out, of course he’s shocked as he’s not really sure what to expect next especially when he finds out Zoe’s expecting twins. And why not twins? Lopez carried twins in real life and this coincidence how contrived as it may be, is just so perfect.

Lopez does plenty to show off her post baby body and why not, she looks great and fans will be thrilled. I’m just not sure why in one blatant scene, a very pregnant Lopez shows Stan a photo of her famous posterior from before her pregnancy. Now if memory serves me correctly, wasn’t Jennifer known for one of the most famous rear-ends in the world? Perhaps she’s trying to regain her title as she feels Kim Kardashian may be closing in on her throne. Clearly, Lopez has gained her fame through her natural-born talents rather than her great behind. She’s a fantastic musical performer and portrayed her acting skills in the film “Selena” (1997) with tremendous courage.

Other enjoyable films that come to mind are, “The Wedding Planner,” (2001) and “Maid in Manhattan” (2002), both formula rom/coms that worked well enough. Lets not forget “Shall we Dance” (2004) another favorite! Listen, she’s paid her dues, her agent just needs to find her a great script for her next film as she has talent and I look forward to seeing her on the big screen again. By the way, a redeeming factor in the film is the wardrobe, she wears great chic outfits and changes often. She does have wonderful style at times and I look forward to seeing her no doubt in February 2011 at the Oscars as I’m sure she’ll be in attendance and dressed exquisitely as usual by her stylist.

Bottom line, if you’re a Lopez fan than all means see it, just know that you’ve been warned.

Sarah Adamson © April 2010