Lyrically, "Love Don't Cost a Thing" is described as an "exploration of love" in which Lopez is unhappy about her materialistic lover provoking much media analysis as to whether or not it was an innuendo towards Combs. At the time of the song's release, Lopez was transitioning into a sex symbol and in a relationship with American rapper Sean Combs. Harris, and produced by Ric Wake, Richie Jones and Cory Rooney. The song was written by Damon Sharpe, Greg Lawson, Georgette Franklin, Jeremy Monroe and Amille D.
It was released on November 20, 2000, by Epic Records as the lead single from the album. And Cannon and Milian have a natural appeal that liberates their characters, a little, from the limitations of the plot." Love Don't Cost a Thing" is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her second studio album J.Lo (2001). It has better values than the original, a little more poignancy, some sweetness. But for its running time "Love Don't Cost a Thing" does its job, and a little more. Movies like this are lightweight and forgettable only this sequel reminded me of "Can't Buy Me Love," which had otherwise faded from memory. Milian has had a lot of smaller roles, but this is her first lead, and she fills it with confidence and charm if she's the most popular girl in school, she convinces us she deserves the title and wasn't simply assigned it by the screenplay.
Nick Cannon is in his second starring role (he was infectiously likable as the kid from Harlem who's recruited by a Southern university in " Drumline"), and he shows again an easy screen presence maybe he, too, goes a little over the top in showing Alvin in full egotistical explosion, but in this script, it comes with the territory. And Paris shares some wisdom, too, explaining, "Popularity is a job, Alvin." Steve Harvey's acting may go over the top in a scene where he lectures his son on the theory and use of condoms, but it's useful information and more realistic than the blissful sexual ignorance of most high school movies. The movie, directed by the actress Troy Beyer and written by her and Michael Swerdlick, makes a low-key attempt to teach some lessons. But when he disses her on ESPN by claiming that, romantically, he's a "free agent," Paris is wounded -and more available than Alvin realizes. "Chicks like Paris don't date outside the NBA," one of Alvin's friends observes early in the film, and indeed her alleged boyfriend is in his first year in the pros. His old friends come to visit, but are turned away, forlorn.Īlvin's act is all bravado Paris is so high-powered, she intimidates him. At home, he mystifies his parents ( Steve Harvey and Vanessa Bell Calloway) with an overnight transformation, complete with the new wardrobe Paris has dressed him in. Paris begins to realize that, values their long talks, and at one crucial point really would like to be kissed by Alvin - but he can't see that, or admit it. The movie's buried message is that Alvin really is a nice guy, if only he could learn to trust himself. And it goes to his head intoxicated by his newfound popularity, which has indeed rubbed off from Paris, he drops his old buddies from science class and starts acting out like a demented Chris Rock.
Their high school is portrayed as a series of cruel no-go zones an unpopular student would never venture into the corridor where the popular kids have their lockers, and so the first time Alvin (with Paris) ventures into that forbidden territory, it's a giddy victory. What she doesn't know is that he'll have to take the money he was saving for a science fair in order to pay for a replacement part. The shop can't meet her deadline, but Alvin offers to help her out - in return for two weeks of dating. Alvin Johnson ( Nick Cannon) sees his chance when Paris Morgan ( Christina Milian) turns up at the auto shop where he works, seeking emergency repairs to the front end of her mother's Cadillac SUV.