J.Lo Movie Review: Exploring Self-Empowerment in “This Is Me…Now: A Love Story”
Jennifer Lopez’s most recent cinematic endeavor takes the form of a direct-to-streaming musical spectacle titled This Is Me…Now: A Love Story.
Jennifer Lopez’s latest film is a direct-to-streaming musical extravaganza called This Is Me…Now: A Love Story.
Fresh off the heels of the Super Bowl entertainment extravaganza, where the likes of Usher, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift graced the stage, it was time to immerse in the latest creation from the ever-present icon, Jennifer Lopez. Her newest cinematic venture, This Is Me…Now: A Love Story, now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, is a blend of a movie musical and visual album. Lopez not only stars in but also co-writes this production, directed by music video veteran Dave Meyers. It serves as a glittering ode to self-discovery, masquerading as a romantic journey — a quintessential portrayal of Lopez’s essence.
Spanning 65 minutes, the film delves into the tumultuous romantic escapades of a fictionalized version of Lopez, whom I’ll affectionately dub J.Lo. Mirroring the real-life Lopez, J.Lo embodies beauty, affluence, and a reputation as a romantic idealist in pursuit of true love. It’s a blend of reality and fiction akin to Richard Pryor’s Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, infused with the whimsy of Mariah Carey’s Glitter and the artistry of Kanye West’s “Bound 2” music video. Days post-viewing, the verdict remains elusive; is it good, or does a single word suffice to evaluate this hour-long, self-funded $20 million therapeutic art piece crafted by Lopez?
Reminiscent of her beloved works, This Is Me…Now exudes campiness, irrationality, and effortless watchability. Amidst the clichéd monologues from J.Lo on eternal love, glimpses of Lopez’s authentic charm and acting prowess shine through, offering reassurance.
The narrative traces J.Lo’s romantic tribulations back to her Bronx upbringing in the 1970s, unraveling them in therapy sessions with a character portrayed by rapper Fat Joe. These trials are accentuated through a tongue-in-cheek display of lavish weddings and couples counseling sessions with numerous unnamed spouses. Weddings hold a recurring motif for Lopez, who has walked down the aisle four times in real life and donned the bridal attire on countless occasions for film roles. This phenomenon was dissected with critic Rachel Handler on an episode of my show It’s Been A Minute last year.
Within this portrayal, J.Lo’s romantic dilemmas are scrutinized by her personal Zodiac council, featuring Jane Fonda, Post Malone, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Keke Palmer, and others. Amidst sporadic dialogues, J.Lo croons and dances to soulful R&B tracks from her latest album, appropriately named This Is Me… Now.
A poignant sequence showcases Lopez overcoming the trauma of an abusive relationship, depicted vividly through modern dance moves that capture the tumultuous dynamics of toxic relationships. Throughout This Is Me…Now, Lopez’s dance performances reach new heights, blending athleticism with evocative choreography and imaginative staging. Lopez lays bare her dedication, urging viewers to acknowledge her efforts, even as her character lounges on a J.Lo-branded sofa, nursing a broken heart while watching a Barbra Streisand film.
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Jennifer Lopez graced the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2020.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez performs during the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2020.
Seeking validation, as per Lopez’s narrative, has been a recurring theme in her personal life and creative endeavors. In her 2014 memoir, True Love, Lopez candidly reveals how she used relationships to mask her insecurities. Lopez’s quest for validation is evident within the initial moments of her 2022 Netflix documentary, Halftime, where she headlines the Super Bowl halftime show, receives accolades for her role in Hustlers, and performs at President Biden’s inauguration. Lopez’s groundbreaking journey as a Latina in Hollywood is a marvel in itself. Despite occasional skepticism about her singing career, she has sustained nearly 25 years of superstardom, leveraging what could be considered her third-best talent, following her prowess in dance and acting.
Lopez embodies allure and determination. Her lovesick persona, unwavering ambition, and exuberant energy resonate with audiences. When This Is Me…Now embraces this essence, it soars.
However, Lopez’s film is somewhat marred by her overt desire for adulation over pure artistic expression, reflecting the current saturation of celebrity culture. While Lopez’s charisma and energy captivate audiences, her film occasionally falls short, echoing the superficiality prevalent in today’s celebrity landscape. Lopez’s film, like many contemporary A-list productions, tends to dwell on clichés of self-love and upcoming projects rather than delving into deeper, introspective narratives.
Lopez recently shared with NPR’s Morning Edition host Leila Fadel that This Is Me…Now stands as her most personal project to date, a remarkable claim for someone who has been a tabloid fixture for over two decades. Despite the film revolving solely around Lopez and her personal journey, This Is Me…Now fails to shed new light on her emotional odyssey, much like True Love or Halftime. In contrast to Beyoncé’s groundbreaking 2016 visual album, Lemonade, This Is Me…Now lacks revelatory moments or cryptic cues that ignite social media fervor. Instead, it adheres to predictable tropes of a successful woman seeking validation through romance, navigating heartbreak along the way.
In This Is Me…Now, J.Lo’s existence revolves around love in its broadest sense: love from a partner, self-love, and ultimately, love from her audience.
Perhaps deeper insights await in Lopez’s upcoming documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of this visual album. The trailer hints at emotional revelations, candid confessions, and intense rehearsal footage, promising an intriguing watch when the film premieres on Prime Video on February 27. Once again, I’ll be captivated, unable to resist the confessional allure of J.Lo’s world.
Jennifer Lopez in This Is Me…Now: A Love Story.