Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Peter Segal, Roadshow Entertainment.
Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Milo Ventimiglia, Jennifer Lopez, Leah Remini,
Freddie Stroma.
Second Act is about second chances, determination and the power of self-confidence. Every little bit of it goes a long way.
A workplace comedy, it has close parallels to Maid in Manhattan and Working Girl.
Lopez stars as Maya, a 40-year-old woman struggling with exasperation that’s rooted in her incomplete dreams. Her displeasure continues – until an opportunity opens up to prove to Madison Avenue that ‘street smarts are just as valuable as a college degree’. A film for contemporary audiences, it points out that it’s never too late for a second act.
Maya’s character isn’t guileful, manipulative and she lacks a certain astuteness. However, the ceaseless charm emanating from Lopez cannot quite conquer the instances of identity predicaments faced by the main protagonist.
Lopez, who is also the producer, works on delivering what’s enjoyable for her – and it comes across as a ‘breath of fresh air’.
She can smartly outperform all ‘those think-they’re-all-that book-learnin’ types who name their children after fruit and climb Mt. Kilmanjaro’. All she needs to do is just find a way to believe in herself.
How does Jennifer Lopez do it? She positively glows. How is it that she’s instantly and faithfully beloved by every other character?
Allure… re-fashion … transfiguration. JLO radiantly sees it through.
