HALFTIME

US, 2022, 96 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Amanda Micheli.

This is definitely a documentary for fans of Jennifer Lopez, who have been following her for decades, as a dancer, singer, actor, celebrity.

However, the title indicates that in 2019, Jennifer Lopez turned 50. And the literal halftime is that of the performance at the Super Bowl in Miami, 2020, and Jennifer Lopez performing as well as making political statement.

There are quite a number of interviews with Jennifer Lopez talking to camera, reminiscing about her past, clash with her mother and walking out, the dancing jobs, her eventually being cast as Selena and making an impression with that film, Golden Globe. There are visual suggestions of some of our other films and actor she worked with including George Clooney, Ralph Fiennes, Owen Wilson…

The film also focuses on her singing career, the many awards, her albums. And there is her dancing and the particular style. Fashion is important and for those who enjoy the visuals of a range of costumes for celebrities, there is an abundance!

The chronology moves about, focusing on 2019 and the months of development of the Halftime performance in Miami, as well is going back to various episodes of the past. There is also an emphasis on the release of the film Hustlers, if the claim, praise for her performance and some Festival awards, the preparation for going to the Golden Globes, expectations of an Oscar nomination – and her disappointment with not winning or being nominated and the reaction of her fans and co-workers many of whom had been with her for 20 years.

There are several scenes with her daughter, rather than with her son, her daughter taking a mother to a dance school and the children being incorporated into Halftime, and her daughter with a central performance.

The film does not spend any time much on Jennifer Lopez and relationships except for some comments from Ben Affleck.

One of the main features that emerges from this documentary is that Jennifer Lopez has felt very hurt over the decades, especially about comments on her figure, the literal butt of jokes and satire, her being cheery but nevertheless hurt. She lets this vulnerability be seen.

On the other hand, as might be expected, she has strong ego and drive, especially in the discussions with the authorities for the Super Bowl, the discussions with costumes, choreographers, dancing cast.

This reviewer had a difficulty with her constant chewing gum throughout the film, very American, but too much!

The film is released on Netflix on June 14, 2022. Comments on the IMDb on that day illustrate the different attitudes towards Jennifer Lopez, mainly praise for this documentary but several, rather like patrol comments, not only putting her down but reprimanding her, exhorting her to learn humility… However, Jennifer Lopez in scenes after the Halftime performance, illustrate her patronage of social courses and her financial support.