Second Act ★★★★ ½ | Movie Review

Synopsis


Maya's life gets an online revamp after being overlooked for a promotion, now it's time for her to show them what she can really do.


Review


Second Act is what I'm going to call a proper romcom, despite the fact that romance isn't actually that prominent in the story. Jennifer Lopez has the knack of this sort of film, she never seems to age either so I'm hoping that we can get a lot more of these on our screens over the next few years.

There's no doubt for me that Lopez is a master in this category of film, she probably has several of the top ten slots, so apart from saying that she was yet again a great leading lady I don't want to bombard you with all the reasons why. What I do want to do is talk about how some of the supporting actors nailed their roles.

Leah Remini as Maya's best friend Joan... yeeeeeees. I can totally identify with Joan, the performance that Remini gives is so entertaining. The swearing, the jeans button, just everything. She's the comic relief, and I know that sounds odd to say about someone in a comedy film but I just mean that you know you're going to get something great from her character.

Dave Foley gets the line of the movie though... "Coxswain my ass." His delivery is perfect and you can guarantee great return for him if you give him one liners like that.

Despite loving this romcom it is a little light on the rom. One of the only notes I made about the romance angle was the fact that I didn't really understand how that whole part of the film played out. I don't think it's really a spoiler to say that they're together, some stuff happens and then they break up... after all that's basically what you'd expect from a romcom. In this genre's world, woman make terrible choices, go out and do things for themselves and then realise what a terrible mistake they've made somewhere along the line. (I may be living in a romcom... I don't want to think about it.) Second Act sticks to that premise really well but I think that it's actually more to do with the rest of her life than the romance side which really just feels like it's there to be able to kick start the rest of the story.

If you love classics like Maid In Manhattan and When Harry Met Sally I honestly think you'll enjoy this, there's something very nostalgic about it that sets it apart from modern attempts at the genre.

(On a separate note, if anyone fancies some crazy dancing to Salt-N-Pepa's Push It please let me know.)

What you should do


This is perfect girls' night out fodder. It's a very enjoyable watch and something a little more light hearted in this bleak January schedule.

Movie thing you wish you could take home


The dress that Maya wears to her interview at F&C is incredible. One of those please!

"The only thing stopping you is you." - This is something I think we should probably all take home from this film.

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