Last week, Netflix released Jennifer Lopez’s new documentary, Halftime. I had the opportunity to watch it at the Angelika theater in New York City with an audience of fans.

Halftime opens with Jennifer Lopez turning 50 as she says, “I really feel like my life is just beginning.” This is wild because J.Lo has been doing her thing since she was a Fly Girl on In Living Color in the nineties. So how can a talented singer-dancer-business woman-actress feel this way? We dig into that statement throughout the documentary as she shows us a vulnerable side that we’ve never had access to before.

Along with the usual childhood photos of Lopez and memories of her early days as a dancer, we spend most of this time seeing her preparing for the 2020 Super Bowl LIV halftime show with Shakira. We see many behind-the-scenes conversations with the producers and her agent regarding her frustration with the runtime and the fact that she has to share the time with Shakira. However, that’s a small portion of this story.

What feels like J.Lo is getting at here, because she mentioned she had been apathetic to politics, is why does there have tobe two Latinas onstage instead of each headlining the Super Bowl on their own? While there has been some backlash over her comments, one can see where she’s coming from as an artist. In addition to the Super Bowl Halftime Show, we see a slew of magazines and quotes demeaning her as a person, and further criticizing her acting, singing, and love life. As if J.Lo doesn’t have the skillset or discography to headline a solo Super Bowl halftime show at this point in her storied career. When we see clips from the show, you were entertained by energetic renditions of her dance prowess and swag on the stage at fifty freakin’ years old! How can you not respect this woman after that?

The documentary also touches on her critically acclaimed role as Ramona in Hustlers. If you have not had the opportunity to watch this film, I urge you to screen it. It’s one of Jennifer Lopez’s best performances to date; each award and nomination was well earned. We were really in the trenches with her. The director – Amanda Micheli – did a good job at balancing the talking head clips with the behind-the-scenes footage of her during awards show season, as well as rehearsals for the halftime show.

Overall, whatever you think you know about J.Lo, this film might change your mind or affirm it, depending on you, the viewer. Halftime was well-rounded, allowing this viewer to see her talent without the noise, and a desire to see her shine continue.

Halftime is available now on Netflix.