I know it's fashionable to slam this movie, but..., Jun 21 2004

His first five films, along with his short-lived animated series are nothing less than classic.

With that in mind, here's my take on "Jersey Girl":

Short and sweet.

The first 20 minutes or so are perhaps the most excruciating ever captured on celluloid. Jennifer Lopez is expected to be godawful, and it's my firm belief that it's not Affleck who's sucking with her. There is, in fact, so much suction coming from the black hole that is her glaring lack of talent (at least since "Selena") that he is as such, terrible simply by association.

That being said, the rest of the film is absolutely brilliant! Kevin Smith's first step away from our beloved Jay and Silent Bob gives us all hope for his future films and projects.

Affleck (beyond the first 20 minutes) shows the viewer one of the best performances in such a role as I've seen in over a decade. Liv Tyler is absolutely enchanting, and young Raquel Castro is sure to be one of our future's best talents.

Lest we forget the great George Carlin, who, even playing the proverbial "straight man" is as gold as ever.

So, before I drop my nonexistant street cred any lower with these overeffeminate descriptions, I'll simply leave you with these words:

See "Jersey Girl". Ignore the opening scenes, and enjoy the ingenious remainder. It is my firm belief that, were it not for the dreadful beginning, our own Silent Bob might have been up for a few Oscars (and even now, I believe he deserves at least a nomination for best original screenplay).

Even so, buy it, see it, and unlike the rest of the Bennifer(and let's all thank God that phrase is now out of the common lexicon)-poisoned public, make up your own mind about this one. You'll be glad you did.

(...)

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A Little Bit for Everyone...., Jul 14 2004

Other people say that this film is just a rehash of the cliche, but then aren't most touching chickflick type movies? I think that Kevin Smith's style adds a great deal to the movie to make it stand out from the rest, as I am tired of all the other cliched heartfelt movies.

However, I'm waiting to buy the movie until it comes out on Special Edition with all those great Kevin Smith extras next year.

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Impressive, Jun 10 2004

By	D. Lawson "KenCho" (IL, United States) - See all my reviews

Jersey Girl has less similarities to Mallrats and more to Chasing Amy; it's about how love doesn't always go the way you think it should, but that doesn't mean it sucks completely. One thing that really took me by surprise was that the movie was less about Ollie Trinke and the video store clerk falling in love, but more about Ollie connecting with his daughter, and discovering what he really wants out of life, with a little help from Will Smith (ANOTHER big surprise there! Sorry if I ruined it for ya).

The movie may not be as slapstick and vulgar as Smith's previous works, but that doesn't mean it's squeaky clean and straight-laced; plenty of laughs in this flick. I liked the fact that Gertie, rather than perform something childlike and cute at the pageant, chooses a scene from Sweeny Todd, of all things. The acting here is as top-notch as the cast that delivers it; Jason Biggs and George Carlin were great, and Liv Tyler is cute as a button. Also, the soundtrack deserves a nod, especially for throwing in that Cure song at the end, which fit in perfectly.

The quabbles I had with the movie are few. The biggest one was the scene in which Trinke is talking to his infant daughter about her mother; it's a little too melodramatic. Afflek's acting just wasn't his best there, but it's still a good scene. The choice to include "Landslide" in the soundtrack was poor; not because it's a bad song, mind you (as it's not), but because I'm sure it's been used in plenty of soundtracks before, and it was a "safe" choice. Also, the scene with the diaper-changing was disgusting... though it was supposed to be. Actually, I just don't like watching the scene, heh.

So I give this movie 4/5 stars. I don't think it's his best work ever, and it's dangerously close to chick flick status, but it's a really good movie that will warm your soul. View Askew has by no means lost their touch, and I hope whatever movies they produce in the future are this good or better.

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