“What is the deal with this woman and weddings!” — Keke Palmer, portraying Scorpio, a member of the “Zodiac Council,” commenting on Jennifer Lopez’s romantic life in “This Is Me … Now: A Love Story.”
If you thought that the delightfully eccentric and comical Dunkin’ Donuts commercial would be the most outlandish thing Jennifer Lopez would be involved in this week, think again! It turns out that it’s only the second most wildly absurd project she’s part of. Allow me to introduce you to the vibrant, ambitious, peculiar, outrageous, psychedelic, and at times, brilliant “This Is Me … Now.”
In contrast to the Dunkin’ advertisement, this project is quintessentially Jennifer Lopez in every aspect. (Ben Affleck makes a few fleeting appearances and may even have a dual role, but let’s leave it at that.) Overflowing with dream sequences and bursting with vividly depicted scenes, this is not just a monumental display of ego but also a commendably candid therapy session with sprinkles of amusing, self-deprecating humor.
‘This Is Me … Now: A Love Story’
Whether you’re an ardent J. Lo enthusiast, someone who has never quite grasped the fascination, or somewhere in between, one thing is indisputable: Lopez has been living a larger-than-life existence for over three decades. Did you really expect her to reflect on her romantic escapades in a subdued and understated manner?
“A Love Story” is a 65-minute film that unfolds like an extended music video, reportedly financed with around $20 million, which J. Lo funded herself. Co-written by Lopez and Matt Walton based on a story by Lopez, Dave Meyers, and Chris Shafer, with Meyers at the helm, this film serves as a visual companion to Lopez’s “This Is Me … Now” album (the follow-up to “This Is Me … Then” after 22 years), both released simultaneously on Friday.
Given the extravagant and often breathtaking production design, intricately choreographed musical sequences, and high-quality visual effects, the $20 million budget seems entirely plausible.
What occasionally defies belief are the elements bordering on campiness, including a star-studded futuristic sci-fi council featuring Jane Fonda, Keke Palmer, Sofia Vergara, Trevor Noah, Post Malone, Neil deGrasse Tyson, among others. Each member is named after a zodiac sign, sporting costumes reminiscent of an 1980s sci-fi flick as they observe and comment on J. Lo’s romantic relationships, thinly veiled yet stylized and fictionalized versions of her real-life affairs over the years.
“This Is Me … Now” unfolds like an extended music video and reportedly cost around $20 million.
Prime Video
(For those keeping track, and this film practically demands we keep track: Lopez has been engaged six times, married three times, and involved in several other high-profile romances. To which we say: GOOD FOR HER. Although, in some instances, it didn’t turn out too well.)
There’s no trace of false modesty in this project, starting with the star’s credit: “Jennifer Lopez as Artist.” Following a surreal fantasy sequence set in a steampunk-esque world where female factory workers sustain a colossal mechanical heart, we transition to the Real World or a close approximation, with Artist (a.k.a. J. Lo) in a therapy session with Fat Joe, who delivers a humorous performance.
In a sequence titled “This Time Around,” Artist navigates a toxic relationship with a verbally abusive and potentially violent partner (Gilbert Saldivar) but eventually breaks free. Subsequently, we are introduced to the aforementioned Council, where Libra (Noah) bemoans, “Libra and Leo are supposed to work, it’s a thing!,” Sagittarius (Fonda) exclaims, “Why does she always need to be with somebody?” and Cancer (Vergara) remarks, “Sometimes I chew my hair.” For. No. Reason.
In a lively and self-referential wedding dance sequence set to “Can’t Get Enough,” Artist dances with one, two, three different husbands, while friends quip, “Third time’s a charm,” “This guy don’t stand a chance,” and, “Don’t catch [the wedding bouquet], it’s cursed.”
Artist finds herself alone, watching “The Way We Were” on repeat, attending a Love Addicts Anonymous meeting, leading to a performance titled “Broken Like Me,” possibly the first choreographed musical sequence set in a group therapy setting.
A beagle named Fluffy makes an appearance. At one juncture, Artist exclaims, “I Hate Weddings.” References to J. Lo’s past pop hits are sprinkled throughout. Artist, or rather Jenny, encounters her childhood self (Bella Gagliano) upon returning to her roots. Throughout it all, Artist maintains that while believing in One True Love may seem crazy, she will never lose faith.
Now, even the DunKings could get on board with that.