The Back-up Plan, unlike other baby-driven romantic comedies such as Nine Months (starring Hugh Grant) and Knocked Up (starring Katherine Hiegl) takes viewers to the opposite direction - from pregnancy to commitment.
Lopez who is now a mother of two-year- old twins, plays the headstrong, ambitious Zoe who, after years of dating and not finding the "perfect" match, decides to kick her back-up plan into gear. Zoe decides to have a baby all by herself. However, as she visits the doctor to put her plan into action, she bumps into Stan, played by Alex O'Loughlin, who may just be Mr Right after all.
"Zoe is a planner," said Lopez.
"She decides it's time to have a baby and she sets out to make that happen. Stan, on the other hand, is much more of a free spirit. He's not living out his dreams (he owns a cheese stand at a New York farmer's market) but he's relaxed into his situation. He's not really thinking about the future, and certainly not looking to be tied down."
As fate would have it, when Zoe meets Stan the farmer/cheesemaker, her life begins to change drastically.
"She had this back-up plan for her life until she meets Stan. And I love that they both have to overcome what their lives were supposed to be to reach their true destiny," said Lopez who admits that playing Zoe was exciting as being pregnant was still fresh in her mind.
"The script de finitely rang true to me, having just gone through my own experience of having babies for the first time," said Lopez. "All the little jokes about what it is to be pregnant - being tired, insatiably hungry and the hormonal changes. I could really relate."
For producer Todd Black, there was no doubt that Lopez was the perfect t for Zoe's character, as she truly understood the humour involved in this character becoming a new mum, and the humourous and scary nature of her having a new lover in her life at the same time.
"Jennifer can convey the perfect amount of emotion and comedy all at the same time," said Black. "She's an all around solid actress. Most times you find an actor who can just do the comedy or just the drama. It's rare to find someone who is strong with both."
However, when it came time to cast Stan, the filmmakers set out to find a fresh face - someone sexy, funny, strong, yet, also vulnerable. Producers knew that this would be a challenge, especially to find someone who had the whole package but when they met Aussie actor Alex O'Loughlin, they knew they had found their Stan.
"The minute we had him read with Jennifer, you could just feel it in the room - their chemistry was undeniable," said Black.
"Alex also came in very prepared. He understood where the comedy was and he wasn't afraid to take it as far as it could go. It's so thrilling as a producer to discover someone new. I'm proud and excited. I can't wait to watch where his career goes; I think he's going to be a major movie star, " added Black.
The movie also marks as a directorial debut in film, for producer/director Alan Poul who previously was associated more with television instead. He directed episodes for hit series such as Six Feet Under, Big Love and Swingtown.
"When I read the script, I laughed out loud all the way through, which doesn't happen often," recalled Poul.
"And then I cried at the end. I thought to myself 'if I can bring even just 75 per cent of that experience to the screen, it's going to be a very satisfying movie.'"
Poul also admits that he found the script fascinating as it turned the tables on the traditional love, dating and parenthood formula.
He was also extremely excited when he found out that Lopez would be playing the leading role (Lopez was already signed on to the movie before Poul read the script). He knew that with a great story and the perfect actress, he was de finitely signing on for the job.
"Alan was a gift from the Gods," said Black. "He's one of the best directors I've worked with. He told us the movie he wanted to create in the very first meeting and he's been consistent in his vision from day one."
That vision was to create a modern romantic comedy. To that end, Poul looked for every opportunity to elevate what he refers to as the material's "cutting edge contemporary comedic voice."
Lopez, who often does her homework on her role before filming, is constantly aware of each scene and the whole picture in order to hit every comedic mark within the film.
Poul too makes a habit of doing the same. This duo put their creative thinking skills in order to try and mine every scene to the maximum extent. Lopez enjoyed collaborating with the director.
"Alan had ideas for each scene I would not have thought of, and vice versa," said Lopez. "Working together allowed us to maximise the value of the material."
This movie is said to mark Lopez's comeback to film although the movie which was released in the US did not receive encouraging reviews. One wonders if perhaps Lopez should go back to more serious drama movies instead of romantic comedies which have not been much appreciated at all.
Her most prominent roles would definitely be her role in Selena or perhaps her character in the movie Enough. Or just maybe, Lopez should concentrate on just singing.
CLICHED: In most of her movies, Lopez plays the independent woman who becomes all mushy when she meets the man of her dreams
Watching the movie The Back-up Plan was like watching any other fairytale Hollywood romantic comedy. It's a typical story where the girl meets her dream guy, goes through some tough times but in the end, it all miraculously falls into place and she lives happily ever after with her guy.
The movie opened in the US last April and drew many critical reviews, which makes it harder to be optimistic about yet another romantic comedy filled with cliches and a predictable ending.
Jennifer Lopez who stars as Zoe in the movie, plays the stereotypical role - the woman who learns to love all over again when she meets the "right" man.
This character reminds you of her role in Maid in Manhattan or perhaps her other character in The Wedding Planner, or even in, Monster in Law. Lopez is often the independent woman who becomes all mushy when she meets the man of her dreams.
The Back-up Plan is about a love story beginning where it should end. Zoe, an independent woman with her life mapped out, is determined to get pregnant even without having her dream partner.
On the day she falls pregnant through arti ficial insemination, as fate would have it, she meets Stan.
Stan amazes Zoe with his charm and loyalty, and stays with her even after she tells him she is pregnant with twins!
Too good to be true for the modern day society we live in, don't you think? Yet, like any other Hollywood romantic comedy, everything eventually works out for the happy couple.
Despite the hype of this movie telling the story of courtship in reverse, perhaps it would have been more interesting if Zoe decides to be independent after having a romantic fairytale. At least, it would not have been too cliched.
Many parts of the main plot exude true cliches of a fairytale romance. Everything seems to just magically take its course, heading towards the very much-forecasted ending.
One is left wondering why Lopez chose this movie to debut her comeback to the big screen since we have already seen her in this role way too many times and they weren't exactly box-o ffice hits.
Despite the bad points, some parts of this movie did show its comedic elements. One particular scene is when Zoe and Stan attend a water birth of Zoe's single mums group-mate.
Although this leads to trouble for Zoe and Stan, the director and scriptwriter's view of the childbirth experience brought pure humour to the screen.
As for newcomer Alex O'Loughlin, there isn't much to say about him. His role - although deemed important - seems to be presented as a mere love interest, devoted to Zoe. Scenes that could have induced more comedy would have been scenes of Stan getting advice from a new friend he meets at a children's playground. There is much truth in the scene where both men talk heart to heart about having kids.
All in all, if you are a true romantic, constantly looking for more romance to enrich your fairytale expectations of love, this movie would be the butter to your bread. But if you aren't a fan of romantic comedies, then this movie isn't made for your viewing pleasure.
Yet, beauty - or shall we say romance - is in the eye of the beholder.
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