Self Love Is The Core Message In Jennifer Lopez’s The Greatest Love Story Never Told
Jennifer Lopez is on everyone’s radar as she shared three projects that highlight her 20-year journey from anniversary album This Is Me…Then. The Greatest Love Story Never Told, an accompanying documentary to This Is Me… Now: A Love Story, is an intimate behind the scenes look at the making of the film and album This Is Me… Now.
The documentary answers any questions viewers may have about what the film was really about as Lopez shares all the personal details of the work that went behind creating both projects from the struggles to the light-hearted moments. Some parts of the documentary discuss Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship, including love letters written by the actor, but it doesn’t solely focus on their romance. Instead it shines a light on the self-love and humility Lopez has embraced in this chapter of her life.
The Greatest Love Story Never Told starts out with the process of completing the album and starting the film. Lopez experienced struggles with people not understanding what she envisioned, casting issues, broken equipment, and studios rejecting the project. On top of all that, she was acting, dancing, singing, and financing the film herself. There’s no doubt that Lopez is a hardworking individual in everything she does, but her vulnerability about her personal life is admirable. She openly admits to her back-to-back marriages and relationships and how it affected the relationship she had with herself.
I grew up listening to JLo’s music, but never knew too much about her life aside from what the media portrays. I love that she’s unapologetic and unfiltered in this documentary. Not only is it exciting to see what goes on behind the scenes, but the themes showcased throughout hold the weight of her truth. The documentary is carefully crafted to let you enjoy the emotional beats as well as the comedic relief offered by other cast members and personal friends of Lopez. It’s a great balance that keeps it authentic to the story at hand and makes it an enjoyable watch.
One part of Lopez’s journey that helps you understand a lot about her past self was her constant desire to find love fueled by her early childhood experiences, especially being the middle child. Constantly having to prove yourself worthy to emotionally neglectful parents can resonate with a lot of viewers, not just her fans. Those emotions transformed into that search for love and ultimately led to dysfunctional and unsavory relationships. Through recounting those experiences and going to therapy, Lopez finally reached a state of self-acceptance, humility, and self-love. When talking with Jane Fonda, who makes an appearance in the film, Lopez tells her, “I made some stupid mistakes too. Maybe I already know that. I’m admitting it to you.” Again, this moment of reflection solidifies what the film means to her because many wouldn’t even dare to address the private parts of their lives so openly. There’s a bravery and level of emotional maturity in that resonates while watching.
It seems this documentary serves as a cathartic way for Lopez to come to terms with what she’s been through, how she felt during it, and the mental and emotional state she’s in now. It’s not an easy thing to realize what your relationship with love is like and to unearth the trauma. We get to see that revelation towards the end of the doc when asked about what success with the film meant. For her, she just wants to share the story because it’s beautiful and it will remind others to never give up even if you’re afraid. The Greatest Love Story Never Told is not Lopez and Affleck’s romance, but the love she has for herself and how important that is.
The Greatest Love Story Never Told is out now on Prime Video.
