J-Los Office Romance: A Flop or a Rom-Com Comeback?
Jennifer Lopez is back in the rom-com game with her latest Netflix film, "Office Romance," which dropped on June 5th. This is a big moment for J-Lo, who's found a reliable home on Netflix after a mixed bag of recent theatrical releases. While films like "The Mother" and "Atlas" pulled in huge streaming numbers, her more recent big-screen efforts haven't quite hit the same heights. "Office Romance" harks back to her 2000s heyday with hits like "Maid in Manhattan," aiming for that classic feel but with a promise of more adult humor.
The film stars Jennifer Lopez as Jackie, the CEO of an airline she inherited, who's facing a lawsuit and a business crisis. Her company's top lawyer chokes on a breakfast burrito, forcing her to rely on his underling, Daniel, played by Brett Goldstein from "Ted Lasso." Daniel is new to the corporate world and finds himself falling for his boss, despite a strict company policy against employee relationships. This is where things get a bit awkward, with an early scene depicting Daniel’s very visible and frankly uncomfortable, physical reaction during their first handshake.
Also Read:Benjamin Lee from The Guardian reviewed the film, calling it "too much like hard work" and noting that while J-Lo is her usual charming self, the script and her co-star, Goldstein, don't quite deliver the expected spark. He highlights that the film tries to blend British humor with an American setting, but it never quite clicks. The script, co-written by Goldstein and Joe Kelly, knows the rom-com beats, but Lee feels it lacks any real life or energy, making it feel like a perfunctory exercise.
Despite the lukewarm reviews, "Office Romance" did see J-Lo turn out some show-stopping looks on its promotional tour. For the UK premiere in London on June 4th, she wore a stunning Richard Quinn creation from his fall 2026 collection, featuring a sequined black top and a vibrant fuchsia skirt. Her stylist duo, Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, clearly aimed for drama and romance, a theme that carried through to her NYC premiere look in a floral gown by Miss Sohee.
Betty Gilpin also stands out in the film, playing a supportive and sarcastic colleague, a role reminiscent of characters previously aced by Judy Greer or Kathryn Hahn. The Guardian review specifically praises Gilpin for making the absolute best of her role, delivering the film's only genuinely funny moments and punching up her lines. The reviewer suggests she deserves a romantic lead role herself, having previously played a subverted version of this trope in "Isn't It Romantic."
Ultimately, "Office Romance" seems to be a glossy but uninspired addition to Netflix's vast library of rom-coms. The film's attempts at being edgy with its R rating mostly translate to out-of-place swearing and predictable double entendres, failing to justify its position as anything other than a standard romantic comedy. While Jennifer Lopez brings her star power, the film itself, much like the sterile office environment it’s set in, is described as too sleek and corporate to truly win over audiences. The magic, it seems, is still missing for this genre, despite its efforts.
Read More:
0 Comments