Jennifer Lopez started her film career with TV movies. From there to her rom-com ventures and even action-packed hits on streaming sites like Netflix, the multihyphenate has been consistently acting her heart out in entertaining commercial fare.
A fresh old Lopez fare is storming Netflix once again. This time, it is a rom-com film from 2010. The Backup Plan has swiftly secured its place as the sixth most-watched film globally on the streaming platform. It has also climbed up to the top ten charts in countries from Argentina to Australia.
Directed by Alan Poul and written by Kate Angelo, The Backup Plan features Lopez (about to star in Netflix sci-fi Atlas) in her first romantic comedy lead since the 2005 hit Monster-In-Law. Joining her is Alex O’Loughlin, who plays opposite Lopez in this tale of unconventional love and unexpected surprises.
In The Backup Plan, Lopez portrays Zoe, a strong, independent woman fed up with the dating scenario, who decides to take matters into her own hands when starting a family. Tired of waiting for Mr Right, Zoe opts for artificial insemination, determined to become a mother on her own terms. However, as fate would have it, love comes knocking just as Zoe’s pregnancy plans are set in motion.
Cue the classic rom-com dilemma: how does one balance newfound love with the unexpected curveballs life throws their way? Zoe navigates the ups and downs of pregnancy while exploring her budding romance with Stan.
While The Backup Plan did not reinvent the rom-com wheel, it delivered what fans of the genre crave: a mix of humour, romance, and a generous dose of comforting predictability. Critics may have panned the film for its formulaic approach, but Lopez’s magnetic performance received plenty of accolades.
Despite its lukewarm critical reception, The Backup Plan was also a commercial success. Now, 14 years since its theatrical release, it has found its audience on Netflix. The film has accumulated 6 million hours viewed based on 3.5 million individual views.
So, if you’re in the mood for a dose of feel-good entertainment with a side of Jennifer Lopez charm, add The Backup Plan on Netflix to your watchlist.
