THE BACK-UP PLAN (2010)

Directed By: Alan Poul
Written By: Kate Angelo
Cinematography By: Xavier Perez Grobet
Editor: Priscilla Nedd-Friendly

Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Michela Watkins, Linda Lavin, Tom Bosley, Eric Christian Olsen, Anthony Anderson, Noureen DeWulf, Alex O’Laughlin, Melissa McCarthy, Robert Klein, Jennifer Elise Cox, Danneel Harris

Zoe is a woman who has a hard time letting anyone into her life. She has a habit of pushing people away whenever they get close. She wants to have a baby but because she has no man in her life, she decides to be artificially inseminated. Shortly after having the procedure she meets a guy named Stan, and she feels a spark. When she tells him about her pregnancy, she thinks he'll bail but he sticks with her.

The first of three comedies released in 2010 dealing with the subject of artificial insemination. The other two were the Jennifer Aniston film THE SWITCH and the critically acclaimed THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT.

Jennifer Lopez was first attracted to the script as she had just gone through her twins' pregnancy. Screenwriter Kate Angelo too had just been pregnant. The two had actually met at a post-birth aerobics class.

It’s hard to believe this is Jennifer Lopez's first major role in five years.

A very forgettable romantic comedy that was supposed to be Jennifer Lopez’s comeback film. I can see the premise probably intrigued her, but the follow through is so watered down. You have seen this movie unfortunately many times.

Where it has sweet romantic scenes it tries to be so saccharine sweet. That it feels like it will rot your teeth. While coming off as condescending and false.

Jennifer Lopez as usual looks gorgeous but the male lead Alex O’Laughlin looks not only misplaced next to her but he plays the role as a bunch of ideals but no real human character. It is also a hard role to play because it seems for this film to work the Star Jennifer Lopez would need someone of stature to play her love interest not necessarily on the same stardom level but a recognizable name definitely.

The only really funny scene is due to a Cameo by Anthony Anderson.

The film plays like a sitcom plot stretched to a feature film made to look like a hallmark channel film. When the conflict finally comes late in the film, It is never believable.

The argument that is the conflict shows more than anything how selfish her character is instead of it’s intended purpose to show him as the wrong one.

Sitting through this film is a time waster only not in a good way. If you have a desire to see it just wait for it to come on television. Jennifer Lopez is actually a good actress at times and should be in better films and getting better movies. This type of film feels more suited for Kate Hudson or Cameron Diaz. MS. Lopez is an actress who I think needs a good director or a director who is going to challenge her and put her through her paces in a role. One of equal or bigger clout then she has. Think Back to OUT OF SIGHT and U-TURN. Where directors actually guided and challenged her. She was good in those films. Instead of now where she seems to pick projects where she can be diva and tell the director what to do as they are new or not as big a name. So she more or less calls the shots and doesn’t challenge herself. More goes on Autopilot.

Another Pet Peeve of mine is again in this film the filmmakers go out of their way to try and make sure Jennifer Lopez is never identified as latina. Which seems to be the case in a bunch of Ms. Lopez’s films. I can understand not wanting to focus on it as it is never a major plot point. though there is nothing wrong with acknowledging it especially if the performer as a movie star decides to identify themselves proudly as their race and always says they want to be a role model to that race. Yet rarely represents that. I believe and actor should get whatever role, but I see no reason to hide their ethnicity, Especially when we know what it is. So why not embrace it proudly.

Skip it.

GRADE: F