Review: J-Lo’s new musical film is an ode to self-love
By hola | Published | No Comments
Whether you know her as Jennifer Lopez, J-Lo or “Jenny from the Block,” you’d have to be living under a rock to never have heard of the talented and award-winning singer and actress. From her famous acting role as Chicana singer Selena Quintanilla in “Selena” and romcoms such as “Maid in Manhattan” and “The Wedding Planner” to her musical legacy as a pop icon, Lopez has made her mark on pop culture. Even her love life has been highly publicized. But Lopez wants us to know that while we might think we know her, we’ve never heard her side…until now.
“This Is Me… Now: A Love Story” is a musical short film that premiered on Prime Video Friday, Feb. 16, the same day she released her new studio album, “This Is Me… Now.” Within 65 minutes, the film manages to encompass a myriad of striking visuals, fantasy worlds, costumes and choreography that keep the viewer engaged, unsure of what’s to come next.
The film follows Lopez’s journey as a hopeless romantic, striking out when it comes to romantic relationships until she discovers the love that matters most: self-love. With scenes accompanying each track and stage of her journey, the most heartwarming moment is the one that unfolds as we hear the titular song “This Is Me… Now.” Lopez’s character arc could not be more evident as she finds herself face to face with her younger self, who cries out that she was never loved enough. While Lopez is quick to ask if she means by her parents, young Lopez replies, “By you.”
Lopez suddenly realizes what’s causing the void that keeps her seeking affection from others. Determined to adequately provide the love she’s always craved, Lopez re-routes her focus from seeking the love of others to working on herself. This internal work and growth manifest themselves in a dream where she brings back to life a factory full of dying roses. She analyzes the dream with her therapist, interpreting it as signifying her unyielding hope and faith in love in all forms: platonic, romantic and above all, self-love.
Providing levity and comedic relief, stars such as rapper and actor Fat Joe (who plays her therapist), Keke Palmer, Post Malone, Jane Fonda, Sofía Vergara, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Trevor Noah appear as zodiac signs watching Lopez’s mishaps and misfortunes.
Also making a cameo is actor Ben Affleck, Lopez’s husband, co-writer and muse. Affleck and Lopez first dated in the early 2000s before breaking off their romance right before their wedding, only to find themselves back together and married years later. The film reflects their real-life love story, showing what can happen with a bit of faith and optimism.
Romance and astrology lovers will love this film, but if you find talk about zodiac signs, birth charts and compatibility a bit overdone, you may want to skip out on this one.
– Story by Ashley Cabrera
– Copy Edited by Crystal Lee
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