This Jennifer Lopez Movie Has a 22% Rating on Rotten Tomatoes—But It's One of My Favorite Films of All Time

Enough is one of my favorite movies of all-time, and I’m sticking beside it.

Since its debut in 2002, I have probably seen this J-Lo thriller at least 25 times…maybe more. It’s truly one of those movies I have never gotten tired of, and I thought everybody was in agreement—until I saw the 22 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating. WTF?! This has to be a mistake, right? No, Enough truly wasn’t liked by viewers and critics…especially when it premiered.

And if you don’t believe me, here’s a lovely 2002 review from Roger Ebert that shows exactly what I'm talking about: "Enough is a nasty item masquerading as a feminist revenge picture. It’s a step or two above I Spit On Your Grave, but uses the same structure, in which a man victimizes a woman for the first half of the film, and then the woman turns the tables in an extended sequence of graphic violence. It’s surprising to see a director like Michael Apted and an actress like Jennifer Lopez associated with such tacky material."

Ouch. I mean sure, the writing could have been a tad better, but you have to appreciate the performance of Jennifer Lopez here, who portrays a woman that unknowingly marries an abuser, which is a reality far too many have had to endure. Eventually, Lopez’s character (Slim), realizes that she has to overpower her former partner—not just to save her own life, but also the life of their young daughter, Gracie. This comes after she has exhausted every possible option (including basically taking on a brand new identity in a new area).

Knowing that nothing is going to stop her estranged and violent husband, Slim sends Gracie away and begins training in Krav Maga. I don’t want to spoil the rest for those who haven’t seen this film yet, but this is an early 2000s thriller that keeps viewers at the edge of their seats while still managing to delicately tackle the subject of spousal abuse. Many people found the themes, conversations and reactions in this movie to be “stereotypical,” but my response to that is: How can something as devastating and complex as domestic violence be “stereotypical?”

Aside from the gripping storyline, I also believe Lopez’s acting is totally underrated, as many people automatically put her in the “pop star singer trying to be an actress” category, when the reality is that she was a trained actress with legit credits and praise long before ever becoming a singer. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the critical reviews of her acting were much higher prior to her notching a record deal in the late ‘90s, as I personally think film and television critics frown upon “singers becoming actors” as a whole. In Enough, Lopez delivers an emotionally powerful performance as she takes viewers through her character’s journey and transition.

Sorry, Rotten Tomatoes. This one is certified fresh in my books.

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