Jersey Girl
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Movie Reviews of Jersey Girl
Movie Review: Jersey Girl is delightful!
Summary: 4 Stars
Jersey girl is a sweet and funny movie directed by Kevin Smith (Clerks), and starring Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler (both previously appeared together in Armageddon), comedian George Carlin, and American Pie's Jason Biggs.
The story is about a New York music executive named Ollie Trinke who loses his wife, played by Jennifer Lopez, while she is giving birth to their first child, a girl he names Gertrude after her deceased mother.
Under stress and frustration due to his current situation and lack of fatherly experiences, Ollie also loses his job after he trashes his biggest client, "Fresh Prince" Will Smith, in front of reporters. He moves in with his father, played by Carlin, in Jersey as a result.
7 years later, Ollie is still unemployed and struggling as a single parent to 7 year old Gertie, played by Raquel Castro. He meets Maya, a video store clerk played by Tyler, and they both hit it off. Ollie is also trying to a find a way back into show business.
The story's dillemma is whether or not Ollie should get a job and lose the fruitful relationship he has going with his daughter, or sacrifice that to being a full time father.
Despite being corny and seemingly a cliche movie, and Ben Affleck's bad acting, Jersey Girl is delightful! I honestly found myself enjoying the film even though I don't usually do that with stories that offer nothing new or actors I dislike.
Watch out for cameo appearances by Jason Lee, Matt Damon, and the fresh prince himself, Will Smith.
Recommended
B-
Movie Review: Wow.
Summary: 5 Stars
I finally got around to seeing this movie, and was totally impressed.
Yes, its sweet and heartwarming (a crime in Hollywood, and an offense punishable by death for some Kevin Smith fans, evidently). But its also funny and genuine. Ben Affleck's performance was particularly fantastic.
Movie Review: Give it a chance
Summary: 5 Stars
Look, this is not typical Kevin Smith fare. I think that he is pretty funny, and I won't even get into Dogma, but this one is different. I think that the critics and people that do not like Kevin Smith (yes I think that they are one in the same) passed on this one just because it was a KS project.
The movie is about a guy who has his world turned upside down and tries to get back to his idea of normal, however, along the way he finds out what is really important. Granted there is crude language, etc. butits use is pretty realistic in my view. The story is good and the cast is excellent (especially George Carlin).
The music that was used cues up pefectly with the story. The music director was inspired when it came to selections.
This is an all around good one, although not one for the kids.
Give it a chance and you might be suprised. If not sorry for steering you wrond.
Movie Review: Kevin Smith Owes Me 2 Hours...
Summary: 2 Stars
"Jersey Girl" is not very good at all. What the hell was Kevin Smith thinking with this movie? The thing is all over the place. It's completely unbalanced, and the acting is less than stellar. Ben Affleck should not have to show any range of emotions in movies. He should always just be the charming, funny guy. When he tries to act, it's like watching a foal take her first steps. The effort is really cute to watch, but the result is just awkward and only resembles real acting in the way that stumbling resembles walking. No wonder Matt Damon has distanced himself from this ass-clown.
So many horrible mixed messages. So many horrible montages set to poignant music meant to take the place of actual storytelling and acting. At least the music is good. The Cure, Aimee Mann, Ben Folds, etc. Also least Liv Tyler is cute and engaging. However, the Affleck/Tyler flashbacks to the horrible "Armageddon" almost negate her energetic performance. Oh well, at least she took her shirt off.
It would have been a much better movie had they just gone ahead and done the full "Sweeney Todd." Their production was fabulous (even though it was just one more complete lapse in reality). Kevin Smith owes me 2 hours of my life back. Jerk.
Movie Review: A surprisingly touching, funny film.
Summary: 4 Stars
If this film came out by any other writer/director, people would have really liked if not loved it. I'm not a huge Ben Affleck fan and I've never seen Jennifer Lopez in anything longer than a movie trailer. I am a big Kevin Smith fan though.
The dialog was snappy and genuine, the acting was surprisingly understated and moving and while it was a little predictable as to where Ollie's (Affleck) journey was taking him, it was done in a way that was surprisingly funny, disarming and touching. Liv Tyler is more expressive than she's ever been on film, Ben Affleck is more conflicted and more vulnerable than I've ever seen him and George Carlin gives a surprisingly nuanced performance as Ollie's imperfect, loving, alcoholic father. Jennifer Lopez' small contribution to the film is fine. Affleck and Lopez do a fine job convincing the audience that they were in love, so when her character leaves the film, Ollie's heartbreak feels genuine. Why cast Jennifer Lopez? Well, in part, she gives Ollie's time in New York a fantasy-like quality and when her pop star-like beauty is gone, Ollie's world genuinely does seem a little less bright.
Jersey Girl is a modern film about modern themes in the old Frank Kapra style.
Why was this film panned? Is it because Kevin Smith's fans are all under 20 or because we can't stand to see people make something sincere and different after we've made up our mind's about them?
Kevin Smith, like most of us, has grown up. He's still the foul mouthed comic genius he always was, but he's something else too. This film suffers, not from lack of quality or poor execution, but from a shallow public perception. Who knew that Kevin Smith, creator of Jay and Silent Bob could make something unflinchingly heart warming? The saddest thing about this film is that he's taken such a beating over making it that he'll never make another one like it.
Open your mind and forget the hype. This is a good little film.