Jennifer Lopez inspired the Toronto Film Festival with a dose of glamor at the world premiere of her new film Unstoppable, the true-story sports drama that won a standing ovation.
The 55-year-old actress, singer and dancer made her first red carpet appearance since announcing her divorce from Ben Affleck, who produced the film alongside best friend Matt Damon, but was not at the premiere. And Lopez did not disappoint, wearing a revealing metallic silver dress and her hair long and loose. High silver platform heels completed the look.
In Unstoppable, Lopez plays Judy, the mother of high school wrestler Anthony Robles (Jarrell Jerome), who, though born with only one leg, doggedly pursues—and achieves—his dream of becoming a U.S. collegiate champion. Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and Michael Peña play his demanding coaches, and Bobby Cannavale stars as his abusive stepfather, who repeatedly puts the family in danger.
The film tells Robles' inspiring story while delving into the struggles of his family life and showcasing his close relationship with his mother. The film drew cheers as Robles battled to victory in a college championship for Arizona State University on the pole vault. Then, as the credits rolled, Robles himself won a standing ovation from the Roy Thomson Hall crowd. "When I read the script, I felt that so many women, myself included, could relate to the struggles that she went through in her life," Lopez said at a press conference after the screening. "That story, because it's a Latino story, because it's so inspiring, was something that grabbed me."
Jerome said he trained for five months, including with Robles on the wrestling mat. "As an actor, it's one of the most difficult tasks to portray someone who is real," he said.
"Irresistible" was one of the highlights of the second day of the Toronto International Film Festival, the largest in North America.
Lopez was just one of the big stars visiting Canada's biggest city for the festival. Ben Stiller, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry hit the red carpet Thursday night. Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman are also expected.
"The Last Showgirl"
Earlier, Gia Coppola debuted her latest behind-the-scenes feature, The Last Showgirl, starring Pamela Anderson as Las Vegas veteran Shelley, who is desperate after her show is suddenly canceled. After 30 years of dancing half-naked in sequins and high heels in a traditional Sin City show, Shelley must find out what the future holds. Coppola - the granddaughter of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola - goes beyond the bright lights of America's favorite gambling den to show the harsh reality of the entertainment industry and what happens to those it throws away, especially women.
"I think I've been preparing for this role my whole life," Anderson told the audience after the screening. The Lifeguards actress joked that it was the first time she had been offered a script that was "coherent". Jamie Lee Curtis broke down in tears while talking about the film. She plays Annette, a one-time dancer and Shelly's best friend who ends up working as a waitress to make ends meet - and splash her hard-earned betting winnings. "It's a movie about dreams and chasing your dreams," only to find they may never come true, the Oscar winner said. /BGNES, AFP
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