Jennifer Lopez has joined the holiday movie season with “Second Act”. Directed by veteran of the industry Peter Segal, this is the story of Maya, a middle-aged woman working in a “big box” store who misses out on a promotion because of the lack of a degree. On her birthday, she makes a wish which leads to her best friend’s son creating an alternate “exaggerated” online version of her, and that version ends up leading to her getting a job on Madison Avenue as a consultant.
There are some big names here as well like Leah Remini as her best friend, Joan, Treat Williams and Vanessa Hudgens as a father and daughter she gets to know as they are dealing with the loss of their mother and wife. Parts of this story are refreshing as it explores what a college degree really does for someone over a number of years of experience in the “school of hard knocks,” but overall it is a life lesson that has been done many times in the romantic comedy genre.
If you are looking for a break from the holiday hustle and bustle and have a couple of hours as the movie theater opens for business, that would be the best time to take “Second Act” in.