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Call it a fierce depression; coming home from New York after living and working there for several months. While the Australian summer is lifting my mood, the very real comedown of waking up in the fast-paced, exhilarating city has hit home and the only thing nursing my nostalgia is Jennifer Lopez. Her romantic comedy films are a) always based in New York City and b) are indeed like a giant hug. As we gear up for her wedding, we revisit three of her heart-warming best – all centred around her characters finding their A-Rod.
The Back-Up Plan:
Isn’t it always the way; Whether it be keys, a landmark or love, when you’re not looking for it, you find it. This 2010 film was a very literal pronunciation of this notion, but we loved it all of the same. When the single, career-focused, 30-something Zoe (Lopez) decides to take her biological clock into her own hands, she visits a sperm bank in Manhattan. It was her back-up plan since she hadn’t found her life partner. As fate would have it – and as Hollywood proof that life doesn’t happen according to a plan – Zoe meets Stan (Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin) in the back of a NY-state yellow taxi. Of course Zoe is pregnant. Of course Stan tries to be accepting. But can they navigate through a not-so-orthodox situation together? You can re-watch The Back-Up Plan on Netflix now.
Maid In Manhattan:
Like the title suggests, Lopez plays Marisa Ventoura, a maid in an upmarket Manhattan hotel. While cleaning one suite one day, she tries on a Dolce & Gabbana coat for a lark and low and behold, handsome politico Chris Marshall (Ralph Fiennes) walks in on her. Unaware she isn’t a guest of the hotel, Chris invites Marisa and her son Ty (played by a young and adorable Tyler Posey) to the park to walk his dog. As the pair begin dating, Marisa must come clean but will it change things with Chris? Will he think of less of her given her socio-economic status? Just like Lady Gaga transformed from Ally into Lady Gaga in current box office hit A Star Is Born, J-Lo becomes J-Lo halfway through this film. A real life Pretty Woman. You can re-watch the 2002 classic Maid In Manhattan on Stan now.
Second Act:
Lopez hasn’t aged. And when you get past why she’s kissing Rebecca Pearson’s husband Jack (This Is Us reference for the uninitiated), you’ll be readily excited for this one. Lopez stars as Maya, a 40-year-old woman who gets the chance to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are just as valuable as college degrees.
