Jennifer Lopez’s This Is Me… Now: A Love Story Is Visually Stunning
Music icon Jennifer Lopez is no stranger to love stories. Her new film This Is Me… Now: A Love Story is a thematic piece of work based on her album This Is Me… Now that offers an introspective look into her own publicly criticized love life and the truth from her perspective.
Directed by Dave Meyers, the film starts with the Puerto Rican tale of Alida and Taroo, two star-crossed lovers with a tragic end, which sets the tone for the symbolism throughout the film. From there, we see a fictional version of Lopez talk to her therapist (Fat Joe) before our first musical scene in the Heart Factory with “Hearts and Flowers.” What follows is the storytelling elements about Lopez’s journey including zodiac signs to tell her about love, an intervention from her friends, and a love addicts anonymous meeting. These accompanied with the musical portions portrays the complex emotional experiences she’s endured in the past. The choreography is amazing in these scenes and I think it’s a powerful art form that says more than words could. The glass house concept in the “Rebound” scene is aesthetically pleasing and emotionally moving as she’s metaphorically and physically tied to this toxic person. It does feel a bit “on the nose” for there to be a physical element to portray the attachment and I don’t think it’s needed when the message can be seen with the choreography alone.
Lopez goes through so many stages in her life through these musical numbers, from “Rebound” showcasing unhealthy aggressive relationships to “This Is Me… Now” about accepting self-love. Though the metaphorical and meta elements can cause confusion without the context of personal details, it still proves itself to be a creative passion project. Lopez financed the whole production herself after getting rejected from studios and the visual effects completely took it over the edge. The storyline may seem wacky and extravagant — especially the Zodiacal Council featuring Jane Fonda, Post Malone, Keke Palmer, and more — but it is her truth.
Lopez’s musical journey toward self-love is impactful to follow. “Whatever happens, whoever happens, if nothing happens, I’m good,” she says during her last therapy session, which is an amazing philosophy to live by. Between the comedic relief offered by her close group of friends and the Zodiacal Council to the vulnerability expressed by Lopez, it is refreshing to see someone open their heart to us with such a creative independent project like this. All in all, it’s her story that she wants to tell on her own terms in the art form she wants — and it conveys just that.
Stream This Is Me… Now: A Love Story on Prime Video.
