The idea that a Jennifer Lopez dramedy in the vein of Maid In Manhattan could be
considered a "throwback" is surely an unnerving one for some, and yet with the aptly
titled Second Act, we have exactly that.
Having the appearance of a relic of a bygone era and somehow feeling all
the more refreshing for that reason, the film tackles issues of class and wage inequality in America in a way that uses echoes of the past to seem surprisingly timely.
Lopez stars as Maya, an incredibly bright woman stranded in a low-wage supermarket job due to circumstances that prohibited her from getting a college degree. After a friend doctors her CV with more desirable work experience, Maya lands a high-paying job at a makeup company - and has to keep up the ruse even when elements of her personal and professional lives start to clash.
The film, right down to its set-up and execution, has that classic Working Girl energy, as Lopez is allowed to really dig into the role of a layered and complex woman unashamed of her ambition and desire to succeed.
She's fantastic here, and it's a real joy to remember what a charismatic presence she can be on the big screen.
