Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe

Film review: Second Act is an exercise in vacuity, says Rashid Irani

Hindustan Times | ByRashid Irani
Jan 11, 2019 09:24 PM IST

Jennifer Lopez plays a middle-aged woman trying to break out of her dull life, a storyline that may sound like it has potential but, in this case, goes nowhere.

Traipsing through familiar rom-com turf — think Working Girl meets Maid in Manhattan — Second Act casts Jennifer Lopez (still drop-dead gorgeous at 50) as a middle-aged workaholic aspiring to break out of her dead-end job.

Her wish is granted after her tech-savvy godson secretly embellishes her resume, which helps her secure a management-level position at a Madison Avenue cosmetics firm. So far, so groovy.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Soon enough, though, the romance with her long-time boyfriend fizzles out. He wants to start a family but she isn’t sure about having children.

Peter Segal’s direction is superficially slick, but the plot is vapid and the predictably roseate resolution, cloying.
Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A subsequent revelation about a teenage pregnancy and the daughter she gave up for adoption will leave viewers gasping in disbelief. The predictably roseate resolution is even more cloying.

On the other hand, the script never degenerates into vulgarity and Peter Segal’s direction is superficially slick.

The cannily assembled supporting cast includes old-timer Treat Williams as the too-good-to-be-true big boss, and sitcom stalwart Leah Remini as the heroine’s sassy bestie.

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
OPEN APP