Jennifer Lopez Slays TIFF Red Carpet as She Unveils 'Unstoppable'

Jennifer Lopez infused the Toronto film festival with a dose of A-list glamor Friday at the world premiere of her new movie, true-story sports drama "Unstoppable," which earned a rousing ovation.
The 55-year-old actress, singer and dancer was making her first red carpet appearance since the announcement of her divorce from Ben Affleck, who co-produced the film with best friend Matt Damon but was not in attendance.
And she did not disappoint, wearing a skin-baring metallic silver gown with seemingly nothing but giant black velvet bows holding it together, her hair long and loose. Sky-high silver platform heels finished the look.
In "Unstoppable," Lopez plays Judy, the mother of high school wrestler Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who, though born with only one leg, doggedly pursued -- and achieved -- his dream of becoming a US university champion.
Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and Michael Pena play his demanding coaches, and Bobby Cannavale plays his abusive stepfather, who repeatedly puts the family in jeopardy.
"Unstoppable" tells Robles's inspiring story while also delving into the difficulties of his family life, and showcasing his close relationship with his mother.
The film had several applause moments in the buildup to Robles's winning run to a college championship for Arizona State University. Then, as the credits rolled, Robles himself, in the theater, earned a standing ovation from the crowd at Roy Thomson Hall.
"When I read the script, I felt like so many women, including myself, could relate to the struggles that she had gone through in her life," Lopez said in a question-and-answer session after the screening.
"This story being a Latino story, being so inspiring -- it was just something that kind of grabbed me."
Jerome said he trained for five months, including with Robles on the wrestling mat.
"As an actor, it is one of the most daunting tasks to portray somebody that is real," he said.
"Unstoppable" was one of the marquee events of day two at the Toronto International Film Festival, the largest in North America, which offers a mix of Oscar-bait movies, feel-good family fare and searing documentaries.
This year marks a return to normal for the event, after twin strikes by actors and writers kept top talent from promoting their work here last year.
Lopez is just one of the major stars visiting Canada's biggest city for the festival.
Ben Stiller, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry hit the red carpet on Thursday night. Also expected are Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman.
'The Last Showgirl'
Earlier, Gia Coppola debuted her latest effort behind the camera, "The Last Showgirl," starring Pamela Anderson as veteran Vegas performer Shelley, who is left in despair when her show is abruptly canceled.
After a 30-year run dancing half-naked in sequins and high heels in a traditional Sin City show, Shelley must figure out what the future holds.
Coppola -- the granddaughter of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola -- goes beyond the bright lights of America's favorite gambling playground to show the harsh realities of the entertainment industry and what happens to those it discards, especially women.
"I think I’ve been getting ready my whole life for this role," Anderson told the audience after the screening.
The "Baywatch" actress quipped that it was the first time she'd been offered a script that was "coherent."
Jamie Lee Curtis teared up as she spoke about the film. She plays Annette, a onetime dancer and Shelley's best friend who ends up waitressing to make ends meet -- and frittering away her hard-won earnings on bets.
"It's a movie about dreams and going after your dreams," only to discover they may never be realized, said the Oscar winner.

Comedian Ben Stiller said he was thrilled that his latest drama-comedy "Nutcrackers" was chosen to open the Toronto Film Festival, with the film also making its debut at the ten-day film event.

"We made this little film independently... it was such a labor of love. I was so thrilled that Toronto saw it and wanted to open the festival with it," said Stiller as he walked the red carpet with director David Gordon Green and other cast members.

"Nutcrackers" tells the heartwarming story of hotshot Chicago real estate developer Michael who is forced to care for his orphaned nephews in a small Ohio town after his sister and her husband have a terrible accident.

Michael then discovers the boys - played by brothers Homer, Ulysses, Arlo and Atlas Janson - are trained in ballet, and the film follows their antics in their farm, where Stiller's character chases hogs and chickens.

Unlike a traditional movie release, "Nutcrackers" made its debut at TIFF, without launching teasers or previews.

"This is the first audience," Stiller said. "I never really imagined it when we were making the movie because we made it in this little farmhouse, very small budget, just us and the kids and the animals and hoping that we would figure out a place that people would see it.

"This is it. We're going to show it and we'll see who likes it, which is fun," he added.

The film, which also stars Linda Cardellini, is yet to land a distributor deal. The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival kicked off on Thursday with Hollywood stars making a comeback on the red carpet after last year's screen writer's strike.

Jennifer Lopez Slays TIFF Red Carpet as She Unveils 'Unstoppable'