Office Romance: Analyzing the Romantic Comedy Genre

Jennifer Lopez is back in romantic comedy with Netflix’s new film Office Romance, but critics say the workplace rom-com doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Directed by Ol Parker, the film casts Lopez as Jackie Cruz, a tough airline CEO who bans workplace relationships. Things get complicated when she clashes—and falls for—a charming in-house lawyer played by Brett Goldstein.

The movie relies on the classic “forbidden office romance” setup, playing with tension between ambition, professional rules, and attraction. Reviewers say it tries to modernize the genre with sharper writing and R-rated humor, but struggles to find its footing tonally.

While Lopez brings her usual star power to the role, critics note the chemistry between her and Goldstein feels inconsistent. That weakness undercuts what should be the film’s emotional center. Goldstein himself fares better, earning praise for landing the movie’s funniest moments.

A solid supporting cast—Amy Sedaris, Tony Hale, Betty Gilpin, and Edward James Olmos—could have elevated the story, but many of their storylines feel underdeveloped and don’t deliver the laughs they aim for.

The real problem, reviewers say, is that Office Romance can’t decide what it wants to be. It swings between crude jokes and sentimental scenes without committing fully to either, leaving audiences cold when it matters most.

That said, the film isn’t without bright spots. There are entertaining comedic moments, and the leads occasionally spark. It’s just not the triumphant rom-com comeback Lopez’s fans were hoping for.

About the author

Daya Nanoskar

Daya Nanoskar is an Entertainment Writer at Awesome TV and a contributor to AWSM Times. Daya covers film news, streaming releases, celebrity updates and industry news across Hollywood and Bollywood, and has written more than 2,300 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.

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