IMDb RATING
5.8/10
32K
YOUR RATING
A big-box store worker reinvents her life and her life-story and shows Madison Avenue what street smarts can do.A big-box store worker reinvents her life and her life-story and shows Madison Avenue what street smarts can do.A big-box store worker reinvents her life and her life-story and shows Madison Avenue what street smarts can do.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total
Dave Foley
- Felix Herman
- (as David Foley)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
When Jennifer Lopez finds erself out of the running for a managers job a work because she never went to college, she winds up inventing a Harvard education, a Peace Corps term and a dazzling career as a consultant to land a job in Manhattan. And reconnect with the daughter she abandoned twenty years earlier. Can she keep all the balls in the air or will they come crashing down on her?
You'll recognize the outline as that of 1988's WORKING GIRL But while that was a romantic comedy with some serious societal statements to make, his is a drama both societal and personal, with a couple of funny low-comedy gags. It also raises once again the question of why Miss Lopez isn't a star. Everyone agrees she's gorgeous and talented, and some very well respected directors have directed her in movies; yet although everyone know who she is, the public doesn't seem to clamor for her. My take: there's not one role that she has made her own, so that I can't think of anyone else in the role.
With the able support of Leah Remini, Treat Williams, and Milo Ventimiglia.
You'll recognize the outline as that of 1988's WORKING GIRL But while that was a romantic comedy with some serious societal statements to make, his is a drama both societal and personal, with a couple of funny low-comedy gags. It also raises once again the question of why Miss Lopez isn't a star. Everyone agrees she's gorgeous and talented, and some very well respected directors have directed her in movies; yet although everyone know who she is, the public doesn't seem to clamor for her. My take: there's not one role that she has made her own, so that I can't think of anyone else in the role.
With the able support of Leah Remini, Treat Williams, and Milo Ventimiglia.
I expected a light, JLo type romantic, cute movie with an easy and predictable storyline - just what you want for a girls night out. Instead the movie starts on one tone than instead of getting into the conflict which has been built up it takes a turn into sg else. And it happens several times till the end causing a mess. Leaves important questions open, focuses on items totally unimportant. Feels like they shot several versions and instead of putting together one consistent movie, they just picked a little bit from everything. Big disappointment for me.
Rating 6.0/10
It is watchable, but the performance of Jennifer Lopez is poor. I don't understand why they rate it 10 ! Are they all paid critics ? What's the point in rating if it is fake ! So disappointing !
This film is sold as one thing but tries to be two which about ruins both. The story the film was sold on is about women in a dead end job who is given a chance at a big league job by a faked resume. But it's also got a very melodramatic/ soap opera story about the woman and her long lost daughter.
The movie also is rather cheap and video-looking, neither Lopez or Remini look particularly good, though Lopez is still playing a character ten years younger than she is--which she pulls off, I only mention this as it has the feel of a 90's cable tv movie.
Interactions with Remini and Lopez are good, probably the best thing about the movie actually, then again the focus of the film shifts to the melodrama lost child thing, of which Remini is virtually abscent from.
The director was well cast to direct this kind of film but his earlier films are much better and have a sense of being a complete movie that this one lacks.
Supporting characters are most cartoons and, in the faked resume portion of the film are funny enough.
Of course Lopez is a big glamorous star, so for her to pull off this 'working class' act is not easy, but she manages to do it--it's mostly free of star moments--she doesn't sing, isn't shot to show off her famous bottom, she does have one dance scene with friends but it seems realistic enough.
Treat Williams does well in the roll of a basically unconvincing 'good guy' mega corporation owner.
The whole idea of cramming a old hat and unconvincing mother/lost daughter movie into this one is a bad one. This is a film sold as one thing because what they aren't selling doesn't work.
Sad to say it on many levels is a LIFETIME level movie.
The movie also is rather cheap and video-looking, neither Lopez or Remini look particularly good, though Lopez is still playing a character ten years younger than she is--which she pulls off, I only mention this as it has the feel of a 90's cable tv movie.
Interactions with Remini and Lopez are good, probably the best thing about the movie actually, then again the focus of the film shifts to the melodrama lost child thing, of which Remini is virtually abscent from.
The director was well cast to direct this kind of film but his earlier films are much better and have a sense of being a complete movie that this one lacks.
Supporting characters are most cartoons and, in the faked resume portion of the film are funny enough.
Of course Lopez is a big glamorous star, so for her to pull off this 'working class' act is not easy, but she manages to do it--it's mostly free of star moments--she doesn't sing, isn't shot to show off her famous bottom, she does have one dance scene with friends but it seems realistic enough.
Treat Williams does well in the roll of a basically unconvincing 'good guy' mega corporation owner.
The whole idea of cramming a old hat and unconvincing mother/lost daughter movie into this one is a bad one. This is a film sold as one thing because what they aren't selling doesn't work.
Sad to say it on many levels is a LIFETIME level movie.
Zero chemistry between JLo and the actor playing her boyfriend. Then he says he "wants to start a family"...JLo is 50! She's gorgeous but you don't start a family at 50! Really poor writing or they cast her and never went back thru the script. Lots of stupid dialogue, awkward acting and not particularly funny...just Maid in Manhattan with a different title.
Did you know
- TriviaThe photo that Maya finds on her Facebook page of her with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama is a real photo from the inaugural ball in Washington DC in January 2009 which Jennifer Lopez attended.
- GoofsDuring the Ginko trimming scene they trim down until there's only one leaf left, in the next scene there are more leaves on the plant.
- SoundtracksSomething's Got a Hold on Me
Written by Etta James, Leroy Kirkland, and Pearl Woods
Performed by Etta James
Courtesy of Geffen Records
under license from Universal Music Enterprises
- How long is Second Act?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Jefa por accidente
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $16,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $39,282,227
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $6,489,983
- Dec 23, 2018
- Gross worldwide
- $72,294,844
- Runtime
- 1h 43m(103 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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