Jennifer Lopez made her way to Toronto for the premiere of “Unstoppable,” a sports drama that debuted at the Toronto Film Festival. Lopez stars as a supportive mother of five in the film, which was produced by her ex-husband Ben Affleck’s company, Artists Equity. Although Affleck was not in attendance at the festival, his friend and co-founder of the company, Matt Damon, walked the red carpet with Lopez and the rest of the cast. The film also stars Jharrel Jerome, Don Cheadle, and Bobby Cannavale, and is based on the true story of Anthony Robles, a college wrestler born without a right leg who overcame challenges to compete at the collegiate level.
Despite gloomy weather, fans gathered by the red carpet hoping to catch a glimpse of Lopez and the other stars of “Unstoppable.” During the screening, the audience broke into applause and tears at various moments in the film. The entire cast sat in the audience during the screening, with Cannavale even leaving briefly to grab popcorn. The real Anthony Robles received a standing ovation during the end credits, with Matt Damon commending the younger stars for their performances. During a post-screening Q&A, Robles expressed pride and happiness at seeing his story on screen, while Lopez connected with the struggles of Anthony’s mother, Judy Robles, in supporting her son’s dreams.
Lopez spoke about her connection to Judy Robles and her struggles as a mother, saying that she related to the character on a personal level. Despite playing real people in the past, Lopez appreciated the opportunity to Zoom with Judy and understand her perspective for the role. Judy Robles herself commended Lopez for her performance, acknowledging the emotional depth she brought to the character. William Goldenberg, the director of “Unstoppable,” praised Affleck and Damon for their support, having worked with Affleck as an editor on previous films. He expressed gratitude for their faith in his abilities and for setting him up for success with his feature directorial debut.
Overall, the premiere of “Unstoppable” at the Toronto Film Festival was a success, with audience members responding positively to the film’s heartfelt story and the performances of its cast. The real-life inspiration behind the film, Anthony Robles, received recognition and praise for his incredible journey, while Lopez and the rest of the cast were commended for their portrayals of the characters. The presence of industry veterans like Matt Damon and William Goldenberg added to the evening’s celebration of the film’s completion and the collaboration that brought it to the screen. Lopez’s connection to the story and her dedication to portraying Judy Robles with authenticity and empathy further enhanced the film’s impact on audiences.
