Synopsis: Jackie, President and CEO of Air Cruz, runs a tight ship in her business, including a rigid anti-fraternization policy for all her employees, which is severely tested when a sexy new lawyer begins working for her.
Director: Ol Parker
Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Brett Goldstein, Betty Gilpin, Edward James Olmos, Bradley Whitford
There are those who may feel Jennifer Lopez is a one-note actor. Romantic comedies and that’s it. I don’t agree with that assessment, but I acknowledge that she has certainly done her fair share.
In my humble opinion, she should have received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Hustlers, a role that showcased her dramatic abilities rather than her comedic charm. She was also terrific in Selena, another performance that proved she is capable of far more than simply playing the love interest in a feel-good romance.
That said, Lopez has always been comfortable in romantic comedies. While it may not be a popular opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed her performance in the remake of Shall We Dance? and have found several of her entries in the genre to be entertaining. Like most actors, her filmography contains both hits and misses.
On paper, Office Romance should be one of the better entries. Pairing Lopez with Brett Goldstein, one of the stars and writers behind the beloved Ted Lasso, appeared to be a recipe for success. Unfortunately, what looks promising on paper doesn’t always translate to the screen.
Lopez plays Jackie Cruz, the CEO of a major airline company. We are repeatedly told that Cruz is a tough, demanding executive who strikes fear into those around her. The problem is that the film never actually shows us that person. Instead, Cruz comes across as relatively approachable and reasonable, making the constant references to her intimidating reputation feel unearned.
Goldstein plays Daniel, one of the company’s lawyers. From the moment he appears on screen, it is obvious where the story is heading. Daniel is completely enamoured with Jackie, and the film wastes little time setting the stage for their inevitable romance. The issue isn’t that the audience can predict the outcome; most romantic comedies are predictable. The issue is that there is very little reason to invest in these two characters as a couple.
Their relationship develops not because of chemistry or meaningful shared experiences, but because the script demands it. Despite company policies that would clearly discourage such a relationship, the two quickly find themselves involved. Rather than creating tension or exploring the consequences of their actions, the film simply moves from one familiar romantic-comedy beat to the next.
That’s really the biggest problem with Office Romance. There is absolutely nothing new here. Every storyline, every obstacle, and nearly every joke feels recycled from better films. Romantic comedies do not need to reinvent the wheel to be successful, but they do need memorable characters or a unique angle to separate themselves from the crowd. This film has neither.
The comedy also struggles. One sequence in which Daniel attempts to justify the use of the “C” word is clearly intended to be edgy and provocative. Instead, it lands with a thud. The joke drags on far too long and feels completely out of place with the rest of the movie’s tone.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment is Goldstein’s involvement as a co-writer. Given his work on Ted Lasso, I expected sharper dialogue, stronger emotional beats, and characters with greater depth. Instead, the screenplay feels surprisingly generic, content to follow every convention of the genre without adding anything meaningful of its own.
Lopez remains a naturally charismatic screen presence and does what she can with the material she’s given. Goldstein is certainly likeable enough, but neither actor can overcome a script that never gives their relationship a convincing foundation.
Office Romance isn’t offensively bad. It’s simply forgettable. In a genre filled with countless examples of workplace romances done better, this one never finds a reason to justify its existence. By the time the credits roll, you’re left wondering why these characters fell for each other and why this story needed to be told at all.
Grade: C-
Watch the movie trailer:
