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Jennifer Lopez and Aussie heartthrob Alex O’Loughlin are pitch-perfect foils in the romantic comedy The Back-up Plan–a film that’s as light as the foam on a root-beer float, but which manages to be both romantic and very funny. Lopez, after a long absence from the big screen, is a pleasure to watch–an accomplished (and underrated) comedian who can spar and spark with the best of her peers, and better than most. Lopez’s chemistry with the dreamy O’Loughlin will engage viewe… More >>
Real funny movie, one you would really lilke to see again. JLo is always good and Alex O’loughlin had the whole audience laughing. He really is a scene stealer! I have already signed up to receive this movie when it is released on Amazon.
Rating: 5 / 5
I already saw The Back-Up Plan 3 times!! It is funny and very entertaining, Alex and Jennifer have an amazing on screen chemistry! Alex is funny, charming and played his character Stan realistically and believable, not to mention so sexy! I highly recommend!
Rating: 5 / 5
I actually saw this movie today and I loved it. It was fun and it made me laugh. I had a great time. I’ve never been a big JoL fan but I thought she was cute and likeable. Alex O’Laughlin was funny and romantic without being over the top. They had very good chemistry together and the movie was well worth the money I paid to see it. I will buy the DVD when it comes out.
Rating: 5 / 5
I saw this movie because of Alex. I was lucky enought to see it before it was released and again in the theaters. Have never been a Jennifer fan, but the chemistry between Alex and Jennifer was great! I like Jennifer a bit more now than before. Funnier than I thought it would be. Alex steals the show on this, not only on the funny lines and his facial expressions (he’s got amazing facial expressions that just add to scenes) but when he takes off his shirt! WOW! Sexy! Will be placing my pre-order!
Rating: 5 / 5
THE BACK-UP PLAN
STARRING: Jennifer Lopez, Alex O’Loughlin, Michaela Watkins, Eric Christian Olsen, Anthony Anderson, Noureen DeWulf, Melissa McCarthy, Maribeth Monroe, Robert Klein, Tom Bosley and Linda Lavin
WRITTEN BY: Kate Angelo
DIRECTED BY: Alan Poul
Rated: PG – 13
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: 23 April 2010
Review Date: 26 May 2010
The Back-up Plan is a fresh and creative new spin on the romantic comedy. Rather than follow the traditional format of boy meets girl, The Back-up Plan mixes things up a bit. That formula is somewhat still in the film, but it’s not as painfully redundant as we’ve seen so many times.
The first shot shows our leading lady Zoe, played by the lovely Jennifer Lopez, being artificially inseminated. Zoe hasn’t found Mr. Right and not having a real family of her own growing up; she wants to bare a child with or without him.
As cinematic fate would have it, upon leaving her gynecologist, she finds the guy she’s been looking for all her life. They meet by stepping into the same cab, which could be considered cheesy – yes, but – the writer has the story crafted in New York, so this is not at all a stretch.
The man of her dreams is Stan, played by a new face (Alex O’Loughlin). For me he’s a cross between Hugh Jackman and Jeffrey Dean Morgan and is instantly likeable. Matthew McConaughey will now have some competition in romantic comedies!
Stan and Zoe hit it off as he is charming and persistent and we are on eggshells wondering how and when he is to find out about Zoe’s little gift, when she of course discovers she is pregnant.
I really enjoyed the premise of this film, as I have grown sick of the same old romantic comedy garbage. J Lo is growing as an actress and I’m glad to see her back on the big screen after such a long break from acting; which she took so that she could stay home and raise her twins, which in turn only added to the respect I have for her. She makes Zoe loveable and believable and we are actually invested in her relationship with Stan. Solid performances go a long way in any film and for us to care if the romance lives or dies in a rom-com, is essential.
Even all of The Back-up Plan’s side characters are played excellently. Anthony Anderson makes an appearance and steals the show comedy wise. Zoe’s two best friends (Michaela Watkins and Eric Christian Olsen) are both crack-ups, as are all of her gal-pals at a women’s group she attends. And her aunt played by Linda Lavin is genuine and sweet.
Sure it has a few cliché elements like Stan with his shirt off, an over the top birth scene and a few others; but what mainstream film doesn’t contain cliché moments these days? It still avoided several that most similar films would have dove into, and the vast amount of creativity it produces far exceeds these moments anyway.
I’d like to give a shout-out to my girl J Lo. Having recently gone through a pregnancy with my lady, I have to say that her portrayal of such a feat was among the best I’ve seen in film. She clearly put on a few pounds for these sequences and she has us laughing at things we can relate to from personal experiences, and we are feeling her pain in others. She really went the extra mile here in both the comedic and dramatic moments in the film, and the film earns equal merit from both.
Rating: 4 / 5