The last time Jennifer Lopez was at TIFF it was for Hustlers and on the strength of the strong reaction to the film in Toronto, she was, for a time, in conversation during award season as she was nominated for a Golden Globe. So she has good memories here, and it just so happens that, right now, after a tumultuous summer, and fresh off filing for divorce, her return to this festival was seen as a sort of comeback. Or at least a lick back.
Unstoppable was the red carpet everyone had circled on the calendar. Even without the Bennifer mess, JLo is always a red carpet draw. And, as expected, she showed up in a DRESS. Is it my favourite dress for my personal taste? F-ck no. Is it very much a JLo dress? Of course. Body-oddy-oddy, big sparkle and bows – she’s stunting, and I’m not mad at it because if there’s anyone who can stunt a dress, it’s Jennifer Lopez. What, you wanted her to show up quiet and disappear into the crowd? Quiet is what she was with her mouth at the premiere, declining all press interviews, but quiet is not what she was with her look.
And with the sides of her body fully exposed, she gave people a clear shot of the tattoo that she’s had removed. It’s the tattoo she showed off on Valentine’s Day in 2023, not actually that long ago.
If you flip through that carousel, you’ll see that Ben Affleck got one too – crossed arrows with their initials, J and B. Fast forward to the present and she’s erasing him from her body, moving on as she always does. And refusing to be the villain but, maybe, acknowledging her Achilles heel?
This video was taken at the afterparty during a conversation she was having with Bobby Cannavale. No lip-reading required, you can hear her, clearly:
@hollywoodreporter #jenniferlopez and #bobbycannavale share a laugh at the #unstoppable #tiff24 after party at the ritz-carlton in toronto #tiff2024 #tiff
♬ original sound - The Hollywood Reporter
“Bad picker” is usually an expression used to describe someone’s track record with their lovers. We’re not using it to talk about whether or not someone is good at picking produce at the grocery store. I can never pick out a good watermelon but that doesn’t make me a “bad picker”. “Bad picker” refers to love – and this is a woman who’s been divorced four times. Is this what she and Bobby were talking about? Or was she talking about the fact that the public thinks she’s a “bad picker”? Because that’s true too. And that’s maybe the nicest thing some people have to say about it – the comments underneath that TikTok are a mess. Someone actually wrote “Jenny is in a league of her own. but once a skank always a skank”, and it’s not like I *wanted* to share that with you, but it’s a reminder of how hideously she’s treated on social media, and has been for the better part of this year. While the man she married decided to pack it up and bounce, even though he promised he was “NOT GOING ANYWHERE” and had it engraved on their wedding ring.
That man’s best friend was also in Toronto for Unstoppable. Both Ben and Matt Damon are producers on the film and while JLo and Matt did not stand together during the photo call at the premiere, there are now photos of the two at the post-cocktail, seated close, with their hands clasped, seemingly having a serious conversation. You can see those pictures here.
In our heads, we all have a version of what went down during this discussion. Matt’s had a front-row seat since the beginning to all of Ben’s debacles, he is not his brother’s keeper but, sometimes, maybe, he is his brother’s … apologist?
Why is this scene an important artifact in the Bennifer mausoleum? Because it’s further evidence that she is not the villain. That she has maintained good relationships with the people around him: his children, his ex-wife, his best friend. And his f-cking production company. Because Artists Equity isn’t just producing Unstoppable, they’re also co-producing Kiss of the Spider Woman, JLo’s next film, which is currently in post-production and could be released next year on an award season run, given the source material.
For now though, JLo is all about Unstoppable. The film received a very warm reception from the TIFF audience, some people are saying it could win the People’s Choice Award, and most critics agree that JLo gives an excellent performance. Sarah’s review is coming up later today and you’ll be able to read her thoughts on the film.
The standout cast member is the lead, Jharrel Jerome, and he’s the one who could benefit the most from what isn’t look like a very deep field in the best actor category this season. Too early to tell how that race is shaping up but it’s not impossible right now for him to be considered, especially if they put resources into the campaign. And the cast stayed in Toronto on Saturday for several events, including a Golden Globes event and a Deadline event, to make sure to get face time and promote it.
It was at the Deadline event where JLo wore this olive green set with combat boots that I personally prefer over the red carpet look. It’s fall, it’s classic and modern, but the truth is… the glow is still missing. This one has taken something out of her. And she still hasn’t gotten it back, not quite yet.
