REVIEW: Second Act May Not Require a Second Act

Turning 40 years old is a great milestone, a happy one for some and a huge downer for others. For Maya Vargas (Jennifer Lopez), turning 40 is more about what she should’ve and could’ve done differently and how she’ll do it in the future.

STX Films’ Second Act, sees Maya, an Assistant Manager at a department store in Queens, hoping for a promotion to manager. She’s overlooked for the role because she doesn’t have the education her company deemed necessary for the role. Bummed by the company’s choice, Maya’s friends, including Joan (played by Leah Remini), create a fake background for Maya and send her new resume to companies in Manhattan. When Maya is offered the chance to work at beauty product company, Franklin and Chase, she excels in her position, but before she gets too far in, must decide if she is going to keep up the charade or come clean.

This movie is not a romantic comedy, there is a splash of romance, but the main focus is not on Maya and her boyfriend, Trey (Milo Ventimiglia). Instead Maya’s choices take center stage. The movie is extremely predictable, even with the twists, but has enough funny moments and lots of great fashion choices to make it enjoyable.

Jennifer is delightful as Maya. Jennifer has always been such fun to watch on screen and she is well suited to this role. Vanessa Hudgens does well as a member of senior leadership at Franklin and Chase. The pair have a number of scenes together and play well off one another.

Leah Remini, who plays Jennifer’s onscreen best friend, Joan, is the film’s standout. She carries the weight of the humorous moments and handles them with ease. Plus her real-life friendship with Jennifer radiates on screen. Leah is fantastic and will have you laughing in essentially every scene she is in.

With the New Year rolling in, Second Act is a good movie to go see with friends. This is definitely one I would recommend waiting to see when its released on DVD or On Demand. The film is one you’ll want to sit at home, cuddled up with good food, a good drink, and good friends.

Grade: C