Have you ever thought about reinventing yourself?
So apparently the 40s are the new 30s? Well I don’t know about that, but I do know that I have a huge bucket list that is yet to be fulfilled. After numerous career changes, I have found that it is not impossible to start over. In fact, it can be fun. My life has taken unexpected turns, and it has led me to new adventures.
Last week, I met with Jennifer Lopez, her bestie Leah Remini, and Director Peter Segal at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, to ask some big questions about their new upcoming film, Second Act.
Thank you STX Entertainment for inviting me to screen , interview the cast, and the director of Second Act. All opinions are my own.
This romantic feel good movie is just adorable. Watch the trailer!
Second Act is a comedy in the vein of Working Girl and Maid In Manhattan. Jennifer Lopez stars as Maya, a 40-year-old woman struggling with frustrations from unfulfilled dreams. Until, that is, she gets the chance to prove to Madison Avenue that street smarts are as valuable as book smarts, and that it is never too late for a Second Act.
After 15 years at Value Shop ,the past six as assistant manager, she’s ready to run the big box store in Queens. Her resumé doesn’t scream upper management, but her track record sure does. She’s an innovator who listens to customers, knows what they need and finds a way to deliver. But Value Shop hires “the right man for the job” –a man with an MBA–not GED-certified Maya. Maya’s boyfriend Trey (MILO VENTIMIGLIA) and best friend Joan (LEAH REMINI) try to boost her spirits, but Maya is frustrated as once again street smarts doesn’t equal book smarts. Was her entire future determined when she was 16, or can she actually reinvent herself in her 40’s?
I love working with women who are always upbeat and always reinventing themselves. This movie is both inspirational and relatable.
Watching Jennifer Lopez and her bestie Remini on and off screen is hilarious. I loved watching them together in the film. You can tell some of the scenes were improvised, which made it much more entertaining.
In our interview Jennifer Lopez said, “I’m a romantic. I don’t know if you’ve heard [LAUGHS ]at heart. I’m a romantic at heart and there’s just something about this genre that it’s like real life to me. I know some people like the drama , the reality and the grittiness and I like that too. I love being in movies like that but there’s something that speaks to my soul about this. Life is funny and Shish*** happens and in romantic comedies you really get to see somebody break through a really deep fear usually that they have inside. I’ve struggle with that in my lie and everybody does and it’s so relatable. I love these and I love the comedy part of them. That’s why it was so great to do this with Leah, who is one of my best friends. How many times have we been sitting and talking about something, got angry with each other, started crying and then make a joke…all in the same moment. That’s what these movies are like and that’s what I love about them because that’s what life really is.”
Director Peter Segal said, “To balance drama with comedy is not easy. I’ve done all sorts of comedies. I’ve done joke book comedies with Naked Gun and this has more heart and gravitas. There’s a story. A story we can’t really advertise because there’s a bit of a twist. In that…there’s a lot of serious stuff and to be able to do that and then turn around and make you laugh…there are not a lot of people who can do that and I had two.”
There were many unexpected surprises in the film. There is also some tender moments that led me to shed some tears. (take tissues to the movies just in case! )
This romantic comedy is great for a girls night or date night!
It’s never too late to start over, and we can all have a Second Act, third, or even fourth… Second Act hits theaters December 21st!
