Women and femmes carry so many wishes in their hearts. Whether it’s career advancement, parenthood, or overall stability, a few things just take precedence. Jennifer Lopez is a woman who has lived much of her life in the public eye. She’s been labeled so many things over the years, but only one label has haunted her to a certain degree: romantic.
But, like many women and femmes who have worked hard on their careers, JLo has always wanted one thing. For the love of her life, whoever that ended up being, to support her and hold space. To remind her of her greatness in moments of doubt.
In her documentary on Prime Video, “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” Ben Affleck is the supportive significant other we all want. He nurtures her when she needs it and reminds her that she’s doing big things with her “This Is Me… Now” film. A film she self-funded because nobody would take a chance on it.
JLo has been a go-getter all of her life, something that’s been inspiring to many around the world, but that didn’t stop critics from throwing shade
I’ve been a fan of the Bronx diva since her debut in “Selena.” Because of her performance, I truly understood Selena Quintanilla’s story. Quintanilla died when I was five years old, so I don’t remember much about that time. Her film brought the story into technicolor, and boy, did I cry.
Sometime after, Lopez made the jump to music. With her “On the 6” album, I was transfixed by the idea that someone who looked like me was dancing and singing on TV. A Latina who spoke both English and Spanish — una de aquí y allá.
From the moment I heard the first song off the album, I knew I’d be a fan of hers all my life. She felt real. In the years that followed, Lopez became a global superstar. She’s acted alongside George Clooney, Jane Fonda, Cardi B, Viola Davis, and Owen Wilson, to name a few. She’s sung alongside DJ Khaled, Ja Rule, Maluma, and Pitbull.
Lopez is so well-recognized that past significant others were confused as her security guard. But like any woman or femme within the Latina and Latine communities, our love lives often take center stage. It’s all anyone ever wants to talk about.
If you’re single, people want to see you dating. When you’re dating, they want to know if you’re getting married. If you’re married, they ask when you’re having kids. It never stops escalating.
Lopez’s love life was something people felt they had the right to nitpick. Her journey to find the true love of her life was displayed for critical eyes to devour. I remember having a conversation with my mom about JLo’s many relationships.
She said, “Say what you will about her, but she’s not a loca vieja out there jumping around. When she’s with someone, she is with that person. Fully committed — and I respect that.”
Much like “Halftime,” Lopez’s latest documentary shows audiences that she is as human as the rest of us
One of my favorite aspects of any of JLo’s documentaries is how candid she is. When she decides she going to open up, she does. “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” is no exception. Fans see her express an entire wheelhouse of emotions: doubt, fear, disappointment, and vindication. We even get to see her crying her eyes out.
Lopez has approached love the same way she has approached her career. She’s fought hard and long, knowing that the end result would be worth it. In the documentary, she addresses how she’s aware of how people like to pick apart her love life.
Photo: COURTESY OF PRIME © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
She also addressed how a great motivator in her movement through the world was her not knowing “what to do” when she was alone. I’ve yet to meet any human who hasn’t been susceptible to the desire to be wanted by someone. Say what you want, but we’ve all been there.
For Lopez, this meant four marriages, two broken engagements, and a few other dalliances conscious couplings. In between all of this was her love with Affleck, which I always felt seemed the most down-to-earth given his private nature. In my mind, she was the extrovert who achieved her goals, and he was the introvert who brought a sense of calm to her whirling thoughts.
“The Greatest Love Story Never Told” affirms this to be true.
Affleck takes on the role most women and femmes hope to find in their lives: the safe harbor in the storm
Yes, women and femmes are independent, beautiful humans capable of conquering the world. Do you know what they are also? Humans who love to feel loved and supported by their greatest love. Affleck beautifully fulfills that desire for Lopez.
In addition to supporting her vision for her “This Is Me… Now” film, he helped film the documentary. He interviewed her and shared his thoughts about certain aspects of the process and their relationship. Affleck even asked her if she forgave him for their breakup’s effect on her.
The man sees her in such an unapologetic way. He admits that he wasn’t fond of the film initially. But when he understood that it was about her journey of self-love, he supported her 100%. Before we get up in arms and scream, “We ride at dawn,” we must remember that Affleck has lived his life in the public eye.
Affleck hasn’t always been a media darling and has had his fair share of public critiques
The actor understands what it’s like to have the media and public drag you when you’re at your lowest. He knows what it’s like to become a meme. So, it is no surprise that he was initially weary of the project.
Not only was he weary, but so was JLo’s “Monster-in-Law” costar Jane Fonda. And if the documentary is an indicator of anything, a lot of people were unsure of the project. But in true JLo fashion, she knew in her heart that this was the way forward.
For me, the most pivotal scene of their relationship was when they sat outside surrounded by equipment trucks. She shared her doubts about doing something of this magnitude — out of pocket, mind you. He reminded her that it was her first time doing something like this. If the tables were turned, and he was putting on a musical show, he’d feel like a fish out of water as well.
It was validating to see someone who I’ve always considered to be at the top of her game feeling vulnerable. Seeing her made all those times I’ve felt the anxious jitters about a new project or job feel less isolating. Her relationship with Affleck also reminds me that the greatest form of love is out there for all of us — we just have to be a little patient and work on ourselves in the meantime.
