The Greatest Love Story Never Told

If there is one thing that Jennifer Lopez’s new media venture wants to acheive – a triad of an album, a film and a documentary telling the 20-year-old love story between her and Ben Affleck – it’s to show the doubters what the two of them have is something real: it’s real enough to stand the test of time, and real enough to conquer media scrutiny and criticism of herself and their relationship. Her accompanying documentary to This is Me…Now, the album and the film, The Greatest Love Story Never Told is a self-love journey disguised as a romantic exploration of two lovers finding their way back together. It features Affleck, her long-time friend Benny Medina and an appearance by Jane Fonda amongst other names. The core of the Prime Video release isn’t a grand tale of falling back into the arms of an old flame, but of Lopez rediscovering inspiration to create art and reconcile with aspects of her childhood and past that have led her to who she is today. That’s why it’s so important that the album itself is titled This is Me…Now, as it’s like a sequel to her 2002 album, This is Me…Then.

Many will appreciate how vulnerable Lopez allows herself to be in this documentary. She struggles with her self-worth, the insecurities that come with making something and being uncertain of how well-received it will be. She covers how her childhood has shaped her perception of attention and love. There are discussions of shortcomings in her relationship with Affleck, such as her passion for making the album and film preventing her from being there for him. She also touches on the growing pains of adjusting between their differing perspectives and worlds. In one instance, she mentions Affleck’s filmographic accolades and how not everyone can be like him in that sense. There’s also a contrast between how they tackle their romance: for Lopez, it’s something she wants to share within her art, while Affleck revels in the privacy of their sacred moments.

Any fan of hers or any creative struggling with their projects can relate to Lopez’s plights. But the way it plays out in the documentary is very surface-level. She leans a lot into outdated clichés, like this notion that there’s something inherently strange about her wearing sweatpants at home with her hair in a messy bun and no make-up on. That’s not something new or unique to her and it undermines the effort women have put into breaking down the “not like other girls” stereotype over the years. There’s also the very problematic and tactless delivery of some lines by her and others featured in the documentary. One instance includes her claim of being attracted to the “broken parts of a person”. There’s also Affleck describing her difficult childhood as not like she was “locked up in a basement”. There’s a part where she alludes to more serious and traumatic events that, because of their placement within the documentary, feel tacked on at the end rather than an experience worth sharing. These little things that seem small and thoughtless undermine the empowering message Lopez tries to convey.

Overall, The Greatest Love Story Never Told in theory seems like a great idea. In some ways, it does work to promote her music. There are pieces of her album strewn across the picture, and these are the moments when the documentary comes to life. It’s easy to remember that Lopez is an artist worth listening to because of this. The heart is there, for her hard work on all three parts of this project, and it’s endearing to see Affleck be so supportive of her through it all. But alas, careless attention to detail and production blunders in the storytelling structure of the documentary leave The Greatest Love Story Never Told feeling lacklustre rather than inspirational.

Mae Trumata

The Greatest Love Story Never Told is released on Prime Video on 27^th February 2024.

Watch the trailer for The Greatest Love Story Never Told here: