There is, after all, an equally powerful individual behind a powerful person, believes Hollywood star Jennifer Lopez, who, as a Latina, is honoured to bring one such story to the screen with biographical sports drama "Unstoppable".
This inspiring, true story of American wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, tells the story of his indomitable spirit that empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams to become a national champion. It will hit Prime Video in India on January 16.
In the movie, the actor-singer plays the role of Judy, Anthony's devoted and fierce mother. She said that there aren't many stories that depict a well-rounded portrayal of a Latino family and that's why being part of "Unstoppable" was "exciting".
"When I read the script, I just found it to be such an inspirational story. It was so triumphant. We don't have tons of those movies for Latino families, so I wanted to do that. It's always like this, struggling and everything. And, even though there was struggle here, there was such a triumph at the end," the actor said in a video interview with PTI.
When Lopez met the real-life Judy and Anthony, she thought this story "deserves to be told".
"He is really an amazing human being, but there is always somebody behind the very powerful person, and that was also a very powerful person, and that was his mom, Judy. It was a real honour for me to be able to do this and to be able to be part of telling it," she added.
Judy Robles, who was also part of the interview, "didn't believe" that Lopez was going to portray her on screen.
"She played me perfectly. She was absolutely amazing. She did me better than I could do myself. There were a lot of moments where she kept asking me, 'Is this okay? Is this what you would do?' She was true to being me, which I really appreciated and valued," she said.
The two women bonded over their own journeys as mothers.
"Being moms and wanting to do the best for your kids and sometimes making choices that you wish you could go back and change things were really the basis of this (bond). Judy's other children say she's the most inspiring mom - always supportive, cheery and lifting us up.".
"When I talked to Judy, I was sort of like, 'Open up to me, what is it really like? I love that you are a positive person and that we all have to be with our kids but what was really going on?' And, she let me in on more of the struggles, the difficulties about her life, and her marriage at that time," Lopez, a mother of twins Emme and Max said.
The actor, who has starred in movies like "Selena," "Maid in Manhattan," "Second Act," and "Hustlers," said a lot of people would relate to Judy Robles in "Unstoppable.".
"That to me was what the richness was and where the heart of a woman lies.Where you are struggling and trying to be the best mom you can be and the best person you can be, sometimes falling short of the glory, having to forgive yourself, and having to go on no matter what.
"Sometimes your kids catch you struggling and they are so much there. I thought it was relatable, beautiful and true about being a woman and being a mom in the best way."
So, what makes Lopez and Judy Robles "unstoppable"?
According to Judy Robles, "She has an 'amazing' heart, character and strength about her that people really don't get to see,".
"She just keeps pushing through regardless of what's going on around her. She doesn't let everything weigh her down, she keeps shining with this beautiful personality and lets someone like me get to know me. That is something that I am fortunate enough to see. Regardless of all the things going on in her life, she genuinely cares about the people around her."
Right from the start, Judy Robles was a 'powerhouse' for Lopez.".
"This is a woman who, at 16 years old, had a child. She didn't let her life become a statistic. She let it be something extraordinary by loving and understanding who she needed to be for her son. (I am) Really humbled to play such a beautiful woman," the actor said.
Directed by William Goldenberg, "Unstoppable" is based on the book by Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy. Bobby Cannavale, Michael Pena and Don Cheadle also round out the cast of the film.
Anthony Robles himself is seen in the film and credited as ‘Anthony Robles Double’, performing the complex wrestling moves and stunts. He is also a producer on the film.
Read also| Zendaya and Tom Holland Engaged, Confirm Family Sources
Read also| Zendaya: Exploring Life Beyond the Public Persona
