Directed By: Alan Poul
Written By: Kate Angelo
Cinematography By: Xavier Perez Grobet
Editor: Priscilla Nedd-Friendly
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Michela Watkins, Linda Lavin, Tom Bosley, Eric Christian Olsen, Anthony Anderson, Noureen DeWulf, Alex O’Laughlin, Melissa McCarthy, Robert Klein, Jennifer Elise Cox, Danneel Harris
Zoe is a woman who has a hard time letting anyone into her life. She has a habit of pushing people away whenever they get close. She wants to have a baby but because she has no man in her life, she decides to be artificially inseminated. Shortly after having the procedure she meets a guy named Stan, and she feels a spark. When she tells him about her pregnancy, she thinks he'll bail but he sticks with her.
The first of three comedies released in 2010 dealing with the subject of artificial insemination. The other two were the Jennifer Aniston film THE SWITCH and the critically acclaimed THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT.
Jennifer Lopez was first attracted to the script as she had just gone through her twins' pregnancy. Screenwriter Kate Angelo too had just been pregnant. The two had actually met at a post-birth aerobics class.
It’s hard to believe this is Jennifer Lopez's first major role in five years.
A very forgettable romantic comedy that was supposed to be Jennifer Lopez’s comeback film. I can see the premise probably intrigued her, but the follow through is so watered down. You have seen this movie unfortunately many times.
This whole film reels more of a vanity production as it doesn't really ask anything in the way of Challenging for it's star. As she is tossed softballs In the process of acting throughout the film. No matter what happens she always looks flawless.
The plot is one that is interesting that could have easily been a modern day take on a screwball romantic comedy, but instead it comes off as routine and boring rather than a plot that could have made it challenging and unconventional.
It seems to be another film that also goes out of It’s way to either avoid, debt or not recognize Jennifer Lopez's race. Which is fine of not for the fact that we are reminded about it every time she is interviewed. And seems to promote it anytime she is trying to sell a product or puts herself into the public eye.
Where it has sweet romantic scenes it tries to be so saccharine sweet. That it feels like it will rot your teeth. While coming off as condescending and false.
Jennifer Lopez as usual looks gorgeous but the male lead Alex O’Laughlin looks not only misplaced next to her but he plays the role as a bunch of ideals but no real human character. It is also a hard role to play because it seems for this film to work the Star Jennifer Lopez would need someone of stature to play her love interest not necessarily on the same stardom level but a recognizable name definitely.
It is also hard to gather any excitement when her romantic co-star is not really a star. So it leads to very little excitement. Now of course films such as these can also make these lesser known actors stars. But only if they are given something to work with and mostly it's Rare. To get us in the seats of there isn't a story that is motivating us to think this is different it is usually two stars together on screen. So without that this comes off as rather bland.
Which is the problem with the film it has no flavor. Which leads it to be fulfilling but with no taste and only
Acceptable of there is nothing else offered or around.
Now there of course is a willing audience for this type of film. I am not one of them so I will spend this review more dismantling the problems I had with the film.
The film isn't horrible it is just so uninvolving that it almost feels anonymous.
The worst part is that there are soapy missed opportunities. So many places where if something different was tried the film could have come off so much better and maybe even daring. It just seems like once it was decided that this film would appeal more to a female audience every chance was taken to make the film girlish by committee. Or at least stereotypical girlish. As there seems to be no. It of masculinity in it at all. So no real hope for crossover appeal. There is nothing wrong with that I am just not the right person to write about the virtues of it.
The only really funny scene is due to a Cameo by Anthony Anderson.
The film plays like a sitcom plot stretched to a feature film made to look like a hallmark channel film. When the conflict finally comes late in the film, It is never believable.
The argument that is the conflict shows more than anything how selfish her character is instead of it’s intended purpose to show him as the wrong one.
Sitting through this film is a time waster only not in a good way. If you have a desire to see it just wait for it to come on television. Jennifer Lopez is actually a good actress at times and should be in better films and getting better movies. This type of film feels more suited for Kate Hudson or Cameron Diaz. MS. Lopez is an actress who I think needs a good director or a director who is going to challenge her and put her through her paces in a role. One of equal or bigger clout then she has. Think Back to OUT OF SIGHT and U-TURN. Where directors actually guided and challenged her. She was good in those films. Instead of now where she seems to pick projects where she can be diva and tell the director what to do as they are new or not as big a name. So she more or less calls the shots and doesn’t challenge herself. More goes on Autopilot.
Now she is ok in the film. It is just another film where she is better than the material. As if she seems on stand by. If you want I her performances in films with strong directors. You will see that she always rises to the occasion when working with a director. Who seems to either make her work harder in her performance managing to pull it out of her. Or molding her instincts and talent into the character. It Just seems that she has gotten comfortable in more star vehicles with directors for hire. Who don't have as much clout as she does and aren't going to challenge her or really tell her what to do. At least not if they want to keep working.
Which is a shame as films such as these keep her in the public eye but also bring down her brand. Now It's fine of she wants to keep along fluffy comedies. There is nothing wrong with that, but if it begins to have diminishing returns. Even if she is l own for that product. She can't get mad if the audience matures or desires to see her go in a new direction.
Another Pet Peeve of mine is again in this film the filmmakers go out of their way to try and make sure Jennifer Lopez is never identified as latina. Which seems to be the case in a bunch of Ms. Lopez’s films. I can understand not wanting to focus on it as it is never a major plot point. though there is nothing wrong with acknowledging it especially if the performer as a movie star decides to identify themselves proudly as their race and always says they want to be a role model to that race. Yet rarely represents that. I believe and actor should get whatever role, but I see no reason to hide their ethnicity, Especially when we know what it is. So why not embrace it proudly.
Skip it.
GRADE: F
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