'This Is Me... Now' Review: Jennifer Lopez's musical film is an ode to self love
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'This Is Me... Now', starring Jennifer Lopez premiered on Prime Video on Friday, February 16. The musical film is a part of her ninth studio album and serves as a sequel to the popular album 'This Is Me... Then' (2002).
Lopez documents her love life and reunion with actor Ben Affleck through her passion project, which she has self-funded with a budget of around $20 million.
'This Is Me... Now' is a unique piece of work
Describing 'This Is Me...Now' can be a bit tricky. It appears to be Jennifer Lopez's romantic autobiography as she navigates through three failed marriages before finding love in Ben Affleck. However, it also offers a delightful fantasy experience and a captivating musical spectacle.
In the narrative-driven cinematic odyssey, Jennifer Lopez portrays a hopeless romantic version of herself, driven by the ultimate desire to find true love. Despite her relentless pursuit, each romantic endeavor ends in heartbreak, leaving her heartbroken and hopeless.
The film takes us through her wild dreams, therapy sessions, and a council of zodiacs that guide her to healing and self-love.
The depiction of Lopez's third wedding ceremony strikes a chord, highlighting the judgmental attitudes of wedding guests, including her closest friends, who disapprove of her choices.
Artist is friends with Realist, Idealist, and Cynic, each offering unique advice as they grapple with achieving personal fulfillment.
Trevor Noah, Kim Petras, Post Malone, Keke Palmer, Sofia Vergara, Jenifer Lewis, Jay Shetty, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sadhguru, and Jane Fonda appear as members of the Zodiac Council observing Lopez's character as she grapples with her decisions and fails to find inner happiness.
Ben Affleck's portrayal of Rex Stone leaves a lasting impression despite his limited screen time.
Songs and dance sequences complement the plot
While undeniably unconventional, the film's distinctiveness keeps viewers engaged until the end. It's impossible not to empathize with Lopez's character as she grapples with her emotions alone in her lavish home, burning old love letters and seeking solace on her couch while watching a romantic film.
Her songs seamlessly intertwine with the storyline, with Lopez delivering a poignant performance in her second song, 'Rebound,' capturing the pain of her failed marriages yet remaining optimistic about new relationships. The dance sequences are visually stunning and imaginative.
Ultimately, the film serves as a poignant reminder that life is inherently absurd, yet it's this very unpredictability that makes it exhilarating. It concludes on a satisfying note, drawing parallels to the Puerto Rican myth of Alida and Taroo's love story mentioned earlier in the film.
'This Is Me...Now' is available to stream on Prime Video.