Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Summary
In what feels like a semi-autobiographical tale, we watch as someone, simply named “The Artist,” goes through a cycle of love and heartbreak as they struggle with being alone. But in their quest for everlasting love, they come to realize they forgot to love themselves in their quest to find someone to love and to love them.
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
The Artist (Jennifer Lopez)
Since they were a child, The Artist yearned for love and through three marriages and quite a few in between, they have always searched for love. However, whether it was that person jealous of their career, being abusive, or insecure, it seemed when she thought she found love, she only ended up back at heartbreak. But, with having faith she could find the one, she never stopped, though there was a time she did slow down.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Mother.”
Review
Good If You Like
- Jennifer Lopez
- Musicals
- Visual Albums
Highlights
The Visuals (Both Sets and Choreography)
While “This Is Me… Now” will surely draw its critics, there is no denying the choreography of Luther Brown, Parris Goebel, Tessandra Chavez, and Sienna Lalau is a highlight. It pushed Lopez and her fellow dancers in ways that make it clear that even if you may not see Jennifer Lopez as one of the best singers in the business, you will respect her as a dancer and note she is an icon.
But, alongside the phenomenal dancing are the sets. Dave Meyers, an icon in his own right in the music video world, pushes things to a whole new level with his team giving us beautiful glass house structures to amplify the music, an almost steampunk heart set, and even when things are far more plain, like some of the wedding scenes, you can see this almost like Meyers prepping for the next evolution of their career as a director, and perhaps like Hype Williams and many others, going beyond music videos and working on feature length projects.
The Overall Story
As a whole, the story of someone longing for love and not finding relationships that can last is touching. Especially as they speak with their therapist and are held accountable by friends and a support group, but even as it gets hard, they don’t give up. It’s classic Jennifer Lopez in terms of what many believe to know of her story, her music, and the general desire of most people to find that person to grow old with.
I’d even say, if not ask, why wasn’t this released on Valentine’s Day, considering its journey of learning the one everlasting love one can find is with yourself, and the love of friends shouldn’t be discounted just because it isn’t romantic?
On The Fence
The Music
Am I a fan of Jennifer Lopez’s music? Yes, but more so the singles than the deep cuts, and even with that said, after “On The Floor,” I fell off.
But, the issue I had with “This Is Me… Now” is that much of it felt one note. Whether it was referencing her own songs or lines from classic songs, nothing in the music made any record feel like it stood on its own and could be considered a classic in Lopez’s discography. Each one easily slipped into the other, and not just because they were following a similar theme but because they all just came off that generic.
The Characters
Did I appreciate the cameos of Fat Joe, Keke Palmer, Jane Fonda, Jenifer Lewis, and others? Yes. They had comical moments that played well on their public persona, especially Neil DeGrasse Tyson as one of the astrological signs. However, at times, it felt the cameos of familiar faces were to compensate for aspects of the film rather than make it even better.
For example, while there are a lot of love songs in the film, you don’t fall in love with the idea of The Artist and any of her relationships. Then, when it comes to her friends, if it wasn’t for the credits or Prime Video’s X-Ray, you could easily miss that they represent different approaches to love.
Similar to the music, it feels like just enough thought was put into the characters to follow the theme but not enough to make this visual album stand out amongst the many musicians who have tried to make moments in music history like Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” album.
Other Noteworthy Information
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Director(s) |
Dave Meyers |
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Screenplay By |
Jennifer Lopez, Matt Walton |
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Based On Work By |
Jennifer Lopez, Dave Meyers, Chris Shafer |
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Date Released |
February 15, 2024 |
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Where To Watch |
Prime Video |
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Genre(s) |
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Film Length |
1 Hour 5 Minutes |
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Content Rating |
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing
- Violence: Family Violence, Blood
- Sexual Content: N/A
- Miscellaneous: Drinking, Smoking
Recommendations
If You Like This Movie, We Recommend:
- K-12 (Melanie Martinez’s visual album)
- Once Upon A One More Time (A musical based on Britney Spears’ discography)
- Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (A jukebox musical based on Donna Summer’s life and discography)
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