The Back-Up Plan

Review by Sean Lynch

Does the world really need another romantic comedy?

Surely at this point we can just admit that every post-1987 romantic comedy has just been a rehash of When Harry Met Sally, right?

Well, the simple answer is - no matter how many identical movies you make - folks will still see The Back Up Plan.

This latest is not too far off from being a less camp rip-off of Tina Fey's Baby Mama and follows the plight of Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) who, after years of dating, has decided waiting for the "right one" is taking too long.

Determined to become a "baby mama", she commits make an appointment and go it alone.

On the day of her artificial insemination (ewwww), Zoe meets Stan (Alex O'Loughlin) - a man with real possibilities.

Trying to nurture a budding relationship (and hide the early signs of pregnancy) becomes a tricky situation when Zoe reveals the reason for her unpredictable behavior, and like the good lad he is, Stan commits fully and says "He is in!".

However, as the nine month clock ticking quickly , both begin to experience cold feet.

From there we have a bunch of "will they, won't they" moments as well as a fairly brilliant home birthing scene.

In the hands of anyone else, The Back Up Plan could quite easily disapear into the void of rom-coms. Yet the inclusion of the oft-ridiculed Jenifer Lopez is a surprise curveball.

Call me crazy - but this gal makes The Back Up Plan watchable. She's cute and funny and 100% different to the image of the "rich diva" the press have made us believe her to be.

By no means a classic, but well worth checking out if you are looking for a fun night out with the girls and all the tickets to Sex & The City 2 have been sold.

3 out of 5

The Back-Up Plan
Australian release: 20th May, 2010
Official Site: The Back-Up Plan
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Danneel Harris, Alex O'Loughlin, Eric Christian Olsen, Anthony Anderson
Director: Alan Poul