Jennifer Lopez returns to the silver screen in the film Second Act, playing Maya, a big box store employee who yearns to reinvent her life. Directed by Peter Segal and written by Justin Zackham and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and also starring Milo Ventimiglia (This is Us) as her boyfriend Trey, Vanessa Hudgens as Zoe and Leah Remini playing her friend and co-worker Joan.
Second Act portrays Maya's journey from her basic box store job to a career in an established skin care company by way of complete fabrication of her resume and skills. The film explores the trouble with higher education setting the standard for wealth in society and the idea that street smarts are as important as book smarts and that it's never too late for a Second Act. Later, we learn that Maya didn't obtain her new position with the skin care company because of a stellar interview performance or by her knowledge of the industry but that it was all based on a lie. The film talks a lot about what's "fair" in life and that it's not fair for people who are over 40 with no formal education to not be able to get high profile jobs but that ideally people should qualify for jobs through both education and experience.
Some viewers may be disappointed that for being a romantic comedy, there's not a great deal of the storyline devoted to romance. The relationship between Trey and Maya feels overly contrived and a bit of a stretch and the "spark" of their relationship just isn't there.
While this story won't blow you away with deep talented acting or an intensely dramatic romantic plot; it's a cute "chick flick" to see with your girlfriends or even drag your date out to. This movie does have laughs and lots of heart and if you don't take the plot too seriously, it's actually an enjoyable film. There's a great deal more to this movie than the basis of lies, the family aspect is truly what it's about and knowing your own worth and identity.