Director:Â Peter Segal
Cast:Â Jennifer Lopez, Milo Ventimiglia, Vanessa Hudgens, Leah Remini, Annaleigh Ashford, Charlyne Yi, Treat Williams, Dalton Harrod, Freddie Stroma, John James Cronin
Rating: 12A
Running time: 103 minutes
Release date:Â 25/01/2019
Get ready for the first feel good comedy of 2019, which is brought to you courtesy of the company behind the BAD MOMS films, STX Entertainment.
Thirty years after we rooted for Melanie Griffith’s Tess McGill as she battled Sigourney Weaver’s bitchy and domineering Katherine Parker whilst attempting to win the affections of Harrison Ford’s suave Jack Trainer, Jennifer Lopez is carrying the baton for the New Millennium Generation of motivated women as star and producer of the new comedy SECOND ACT.
Lopez plays Maya, a likeable low-paid salesperson who works in a Queens-based supermarket who is suddenly passed over for promotion in spite of a terrific presentation for the regional management. However, the son of her work colleague embellishes her resume which is sent through to a make-up conglomerate, presided over by Anderson Clarke (Treat Williams) and co-run by his VP daughter, Zoe (Vanessa Hudgens) and hires her as a consultant.
Inevitably, the confusion and headaches caused by the misunderstanding of what is on paper and the desire to talk and walk provides plenty of challenges for Maya as she attempts to fit in at the company as Anderson sets a challenge to both Maya and Zoe to create a brand-new range of products which reflect their talents. Unfortunately, there is much more to Maya and Zoe’s rivalry than meets the eye….
When she is given a reasonable script and room to play in her character, there is no one better equipped than the ever-attractive and talented Lopez to play the sort of role that is provided in SECOND ACT – and thanks to some solid support and nice moments of comedy, the film is elevated above the sort of predictable entertainment that this falls squarely into.
There is nothing here that wasn’t covered in WORKING GIRL three decades ago – the rivalry of the office and the desire to rise above your lot is as old as Cinema itself, but like all passable feel-good comedies, there is a clear element of vulnerability in each of the characters on show here. Hudgens is very good as well, having matured beyond her HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL days and an adult generation of fans will certainly warm to her character. As with all feel-good comedies, there are some nice slapstick moments here and there as well.
Older fans will certainly be happy to see the likes of Treat Williams and Larry Miller (Mr. Hollister from PRETTY WOMAN – the one who asked Richard Gere whether ‘profane or really offensive’ was the name of the game when spending in his shop. They are joined by Rocky Jr from ROCKY BALBOA, Milo Ventimiglia providing the romantic foil for Lopez.
