Jenny from the Block headed to the Six for the premiere of “Unstoppable,” a heartfelt sports drama that premiered Friday at the Toronto Film Festival.
Jennifer Lopez, who stars as a mother of five, worked on the film with her ex-husband Ben Affleck, whose production company Artists Equity served as producers. Affleck was absent from the festival (he and Lopez filed for divorce in August after less than two years of marriage), but company co-founder and friend Matt Damon attended the premiere and walked the red carpet.
Despite the dreary weather, swarms of fans gathered at the red carpet for a glimpse — and maybe even a photo — of Lopez and her co-stars Jharrel Jerome, Don Cheadle and Bobby Cannavale.
‘Unstoppable’ stars Jerome (‘Moonlight’) as a college wrestler who dreams of turning professional. It is based on the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles, who was born without a right leg and developed the strength and skills to meet the demands of the Arizona State University wrestling team.
Several times during the screening, the audience in the Roy Thomson Hall burst into applause and gasped at more poignant moments in the film. All the talent was in the audience for the entire film, although Cannavale ducked out halfway through and came back with popcorn. As the credits rolled, the real Robles was embraced with a two-minute standing ovation. During the applause, Cheadle waved to the audience as Damon told the younger stars, “Good job, guys. Great.”
During a question and answer session after the screening, Robles basked in the warm embrace and second standing ovation of the evening.
“It still affects me tonight,” he said. “I’m so proud. I couldn’t be happier.”
Lopez, who was also warmly greeted by the crowd, expressed his kinship with Anthony’s mother Judy Robles, who endures physical and mental hardships while supporting her son’s dreams.
“When I read the script, I felt like so many women, including myself, could relate to the struggles she went through,” Lopez said. “The story of being Latino was so inspiring. It grabbed me.”
Although Lopez has portrayed real people before, such as in the biopic “Selena,” she wasn’t always able to connect with them to shape her performance. For “Unstoppable,” she appreciated going to Zoom with Judy.
“This was a different experience,” Lopez added. “In a way we were the same person. The core and heart of who we are: first and foremost, we are mothers.”
Judy Robles, who attended the premiere and participated in the Q&A, praised Lopez’s acting skills. She told her on-screen surrogate: “You were me – with the brutality, but also the sadness and the pain. Bobby, you scared me.”
“But in a funny way?” Cannavale, who plays her abusive husband, joked.
William Goldenberg, an Oscar winner who served as editor of Affleck’s films “Argo” and “Air,” directed “Unstoppable” in his feature debut. He said he was “blessed” to have Affleck and Damon as partners.
“They supported me and made sure I could be successful. “I appreciate everything they have done,” he said. “I have worked with Ben as an editor for almost twenty years. His confidence in me exceeded my confidence in myself.”
