Was Jennifer Lopez robbed of an Oscar nomination? I found Florence Pugh better in Little Women, quite frankly. That being said, Lopez delivers a completely natural performance as the Mama Hen Ramona Vega but she is also manipulative and insensitive and feels that she needs to take what is not hers.
One of the best strippers/pole dancers in the business, newcomer Dorothy (Constance Wu) is mesmerized by Ramona, just as everyone else is and with just a simple conversation, Ramona takes Dorothy under her wings. And life is good, but then the stock market crashes and Dorothy gets pregnant so they part ways for a couple of years. Dorothy's baby daddy leaves her and she needs money.
By this time, Ramona's devised a new plan, which involves the male equivalent of date raping men. They slip them some spiked drinks and run up charges on the men's credit cards, with the men not realizing anything's happened until they get their bank statements.
Needless to say, I do not approve. While these men are slimy and inconsiderate, not to mention unfaithful to their wives, they did not deserve what was dished out to them, and I felt that when the women were finally caught, the punishment they received was far too light.
That being said, the film is stylish and the performances are natural, with not a line or motion out of place. While no one in this film is a good, moral character, it was a great ride nevertheless. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-There are some great supporting performances from Julia Stiles as the fearless and tireless journalist, Keke Palmer and Lili Reinhart as fellow schemers, Cardi B and Lizzo as fellow dancers, Madeline Brewer as a junkie and Trial & Error's Steven Boyer as a wronged man.
-This film does pass the Bechdel Test, which is always a relief.
-Lili Reinhart's Annabelle throws up constantly, whenever she feels guilty.
-The soundtrack is also great.
-Jennifer Lopez really looks great. She looks better at fifty than I ever will.
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