First off there is the fact that the leading lady looks constantly perfect and beautiful at all times.The ever stunning Jennifer Lopez had perfect hair and designer clothes even while puking from a little spell of morning sickness. She comes across effortlessly which makes me satisfied in the stereotype, and slightly disheartened that I do not look that adorable and own those designer clothes to wear around my own apartment.
The following predictability is the one I depend on with every ticket I buy for a romantic comedy ... the ever necessary good-looking guy. His smile lights up the screen and you can grate cheese on his abs, which are displayed often. And no complaints here. However, this sort of newcomer, Alex O'Loughlin, really carried the role well. He proved to have good comic timing and likable expressions that gave me the ability to read him easily and consistently.
For me the most distracting characteristic of a romantic comedy is the excessive need to throw many situations over the top. There is always some cliche that a woman can't drive and runs into something. There is some horrific scene that forces the character to wonder if they can get out of the predicament they are currently in, in this case pregnancy, not particularly reversible. And with the right amount of pregnancy symptom jokes, the movie really made being pregnant seem like you will always be your largest in a heat wave, constantly want to eat regardless of how unappetizing the food and feel the need to be surrounded by another crazy pregnant people. Not that I can confirm from personal experience, but I cannot imagine pregnancy being this exaggerated and dramatic.
This movie gave me one special thing that I really appreciated. It offered a solid plot line. I really found myself wondering how this situation would play out in reality. As a single twenty-something, I could easily relate to the feelings of a career driven woman in a society that also values family life. I can see myself approaching a similar crossroads in 10 or so odd years, if things in truly plan A don't fall into place. And I also appreciate the fact that plan A is always the obvious and assumed by the audience. This movie offered a glimpse at fusing plan A and B together for something ideal. Hopefully, when I approach a comparable crossroads I will be traveling with an equally attractive man and similarly pretty clothes and hair.
The Reel Reviewer considers "The Back-Up Plan" a good plan A for a predictable romantic comedy.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Jennifer Lopez, The Back-Up Plan
