The Back Up Plan

I went this afternoon and saw "The Back Up Plan" starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin. Yes, I knew I was taking a chance, it starring "J.Lo" and all. Heck I took a really big chance (anyone remember Gigli and Monster-in-Law?!!), but the trailers looked hilarious and I am a huge fan of newcomer Alex O'Loughlin. Let's face it, he is really good to look at. The man is devastatingly HOT, and I think he is a really diverse actor as well. He displayed that portraying both a vampire you love in the tv series Moonlight, and as one of the killers you didn't see coming, in "White Out". So, I knew even if the movie was awful, I sure would have a fun time just watching Alex on the big screen.However, I was pleasantly surprised. It was a really cute movie, one I would go back and see again, for sure. The premise of this movie is that Zoe, played by Lopez, has given up on finding Mr.Right and her biological clock has been ticking for so long, she decides to be inseminated. Immediately after the procedure, she meets Stan, played by O'Loughlin. The sparks are instantaneous. Zoe fights it, but when they continue to run into each other, and when Stan pursues her, she wants to give them a shot. Insemination never takes on the first try so she isn't too worried until after their first, and perfect date, when she finds out she is indeed pregnant. What do you do when you are pregnant, but you think you just met "the one"? And can a man you just started dating, be okay with the fact that you are pregnant? That is what is explored in this romantic comedy brought to us by CBS Films, a new film company.

This film works for me. Except I think what works for this film, is not what they intended to work. Jennifer Lopez has all the slap-stick comedy in the film. She is the one who throws up, falls into the "birthing pool", dumpster dives for a body pillow, etc. While you empathized with her plights, her Lucille Ball-like antics, were not what made me laugh out loud. Yes, I am disagreeing with the professional film critics. Oooooh.

It was the dead pan expressions and reactions from Alex O'Loughlin that made this film funny and more plausible. I mean, really, in real life is a man going to stand by your side and help you raise a kid that is not his, after a couple of dates? I do not think so! So that is kind of outlandish, but Alex's portrayal, his reactions, make it seem more grounded. His face when he realizes that this type of ultra-sound, so early in the pregnancy, requires "different placement" and with such a huge and scary looking instrument, is hysterical. The haunted look in is eyes and his voicing of "I shouldn't have seen that", after Zoe and Stan witness the so NOT "miracle" of a home water birth was priceless. Those dimples can flash at me, anytime!

I also loved the supporting players. Zoe's Single Mothers group is full of crazy characters, including the Mother nursing her 3 year old in front of every one! Gross. Melissa McCarthy is hilarious as the leader of the group. And Tom Bosley has a small role as Zoe's grandmother's fiance...of 23 years, but it is so great to see Mr. Cunningham!! Another scene stealer is Nuts the dog. The tiny dog in the doggy walker/wheelchair was so funny! Played excellently by Nip, Tuck and Nubbins.

This is actually one Jennifer Lopez movie, I will say to go see. I found it to be a really nice romantic comedy with a unique twist. And I liked the acting, gosh darn it, so move over pro film critics, you have never known what a good movie is!