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Jersey Girl (2004)

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338 comments in total

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65 out of 89 people found the following comment useful :-
I left this on the shelf far too long, 27 octobre 2004

Author: Damien Laughton de Coventry, England

So after reading many a disconsolate review from Kevin Smith fans I decided to purchase the DVD anyway. Yet all the negative comments had left their toll on me and the DVD stayed on the shelf in its shrink wrapper for FAR TOO LONG. You motor heads! Yes this movie is sweet and yes it's sometimes even sickly but it's endearing and moving. Ben Athleck switches in and out of competence a few too many times to make his performance IMO a completely solid one but frankly he does a good job of holding all the disparate threads of the movie together.

If you want to live in 1994 dick & fart jokes then simply put Clerks in the DVD player and play it again! However each of Kevin's films go someway in their own right into the exploration of inter-personal relationships and the impact of consequence in our daily lives. Jersey Girl is no different in this respect than Clerks.

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38 out of 47 people found the following comment useful :-
Very Sweet Movie, 26 septembre 2005

Author: Claudio Carvalho de Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In New York, the young executive Oliver "Ollie" Trinke (Ben Affleck) is a successful PR of the music industry. He meets and falls in love for Gertrude Steiney (Jennifer Lopez), who soon gets pregnant. However, she dies in the childbirth and Ollie decides to return to his father's home in New Jersey. Pressed by the situation of lonely father, the workaholic Ollie blows-up in an important press conference and makes a fatal statement, losing his job and becoming blacklisted in his publicist career. He promises to be the "best father in the world" to the young Gertie, and stays single, grieving his beloved wife, without dating any woman for seven years and trying to retrieve a position of public relation. One day, he meets the rental clerk Maya (Liv Tyler), they become friends and she helps him to supersede his past life.

"Jersey Girl" is a very sweet movie about family, and honestly I could never expect such sensitive story from Kevin Smith. I like his work a lot, and I have all his movies in my collection. "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy" are amazing, and I must confess that I was tired of "Jay and Silent Bob". The shift in his career could not be better. The story is great and very well balanced with drama, comedy and romance. Liv Tyler is fantastic, showing a great chemistry with Ben Affleck. George Carlin is great, without being corny, in the role of Bart Trinke. But the girl Raquel Castro is stunning: very bright and smart, she steals all the scenes and seems to be a future star. I really loved this movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Menina dos Olhos" ("Apple of the Eyes" – meaning something very dear")

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47 out of 68 people found the following comment useful :-
This Jersey Girl Is a Great Date, 17 mars 2004
Author: Paul Katz (pianoplayinpaulie@yahoo.com) de Los Angeles

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

OK, how obvious is my title? :)

Kevin Smith is a writer I admire tremendously. He has an uncanny ability to capture the way people speak in reality; not just in movie screenplay structure.

*Jersey Girl* is a real step forward for Kevin Smith. He returns to screens with a mature and funny film about a man learning to be a father. The style here is more aligned with Smith's terrific *Chasing Amy* than *Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.*

Ben Affleck is Ollie, a hot shot New York publicist with everything going for him. As the movie opens, he and his girlfriend Gertie (Jennifer Lopez) meet, get engaged and married and expect their first child together.

Then the unexpected happens: Gertie dies in childbirth and Ollie is left with his infant daughter. Mired in his own grief, he essentially ignores his child for the first month, leaving the baby care-taking to his Pop (played by George Carlin). A crisis moment comes where he's forced to handle both his career and his child at the same time, and it doesn't go well.

Flash forward six years and Ollie seems to have adjusted to a different life in a small New Jersey town. He absolutely adores his daughter, who is named for her mother. A young woman who works at a video store (Liv Tyler) enters their lives in an unusual way and the movie becomes an exploration of the push/pull between what someone wants for themselves and what they should do to meet the needs of others.

Two things could have happened with a movie like this. One is that it would be about how Affleck's character falls in love with the quirky video store girl and Gertie has to cope with the new woman in daddy's life. Two, the movie would be filled with cutesy "kid" moments that are meant for nothing more than easy smiles.

Neither of those things happen. Of course the little girl is cute, but there is substance behind it. The way Ollie and Gertie communicate with each other is very realistic and in many moments, fraught with tension that works. As far as the stuff with Tyler's character, the script doesn't persue a standard 'romantic comedy' courtship between the two. Instead, everything is repressed and tentative. Affleck's and Tyler's characters basically duck around their feelings for the whole thing.

Both of these directions were completely refreshing and as a result, the movie didn't feel so "standard."

I was happy to walk out of *Jersey Girl* feeling like the stuff that the press shoved down our throats regarding Ben Affleck is gone. This movie wipes that away, even though Lopez is in the movie for the first ten minutes. Ben Affleck's career will definitely survive the overexposure he's had, and this movie is the first step in ensuring that. It reinforces that he is a good actor, not just the latest dude to be dating the industry's latest hot chick.

George Carlin reigns in the schtick and gets to play a really solid character. Sure, he has some quips here and there, but he fills the role of loving "pop" quite well. Also of wonderful surprise is Liv Tyler, who is light and bouncy as Affleck's love interest. I found her performance really intriguing, especially since she is able to speak the lines of the character through her mouth, but have her eyes communicate something totally different at the same time.

Smith makes excellent use of music in this film. One scene in particular where Stevie Nicks' heartbreaking "Landslide" plays nearly had me in tears. And who would have thought anyone would be able to use a rather dark Sondheim musical to such greatly comic, and not too over the top, advantage.

There is also a scene in the film that contains one of the most natural exchanges of dialogue I've seen in a film. In a conversation between two fathers, Smith manages to make it seem as though two actors are speaking as themselves. It's a fantastic scene.

*Jersey Girl* is another reminder of how much I appreciate Kevin Smith. If you're looking for a sweet and charming time at the movies this spring, so far, *Jersey Girl* is a great bet.

Paul Katz

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47 out of 70 people found the following comment useful :-
The Other Kevin Smith - who is all the same despite all, 14 novembre 2004

Author: sixstring-1 (sixstring@mailbox.hu) de Budapest, EU/Hungary

I'm certain that if I had been Kevin Smith, approached by Miramax with this idea and screenplay, I would definitely have turned it down.

Maybe that's exactly why he had chosen to do it. And what a wise decision it was indeed... The movie didn't promise much judging it by the trailers, but in the end, I was quite satisfied with it when I finally saw it. I'm sure, that an average, or below-the-average Hollywood director would have made it into a blunt, silly, sentimental, and instantly forgettable, "soap-bubble-like" movie. But not Smith... There were many, many crucial points along the storyline that just called and yelled for directors to commit fatal errors... Smith had succeeded to avoid these errors, creating a really enjoyable, lovable, deeply emotional and yet funny piece of work. But still... this isn't the Kevin Smith that I admire so much. I believe that with "Dogma" he created a milestone in American film-making, by daring to speak fiercely openly and frankly about very delicate issues. I missed this part of him from "Jersey Girl" - but there was no room for it because of the plot.

With "Jersey Girl" he had showed more real emotions than he ever did in all of his works. He had proved himself an expert of human emotions. He showed the audience that he really understands about deep feelings, love, loss, family ties, ambition...

The only thing this film is lacking is really great acting. None of the actors gave bad performances, not by long shot, but still... there could have been some more... especially from Affleck. Tyler gave a surprisingly fresh, and believable performance, showing some real theatrical talents in the scene when she performs in Gertie's 'musical'.

The unavoidable Star Wars jokes, and celebrity "nose-pricks" are present of course, maintaining the overall "Smith-feel" to the movie. To be adequate, I quote Darth Vader: "Impressive... Most impressive."

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13 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
A new direction for Smith., 29 mars 2004

Author: Aragorn1683 de SC, USA

Overall this was a good, heartwarming and funny film from Kevin Smith, much different than his previous Jersey flicks. In typical Smith fashion, Affleck stars with cameos by Jason Lee and Matt Damon, and when Affleck's daughter wants to do a musical for her school talent show, she doesn't choose something sweet and simple, but a song from Sweeney Todd.

There are some cliched moments, such as Affleck being torn between a job interview and going to his daughter's talent show, and of course choosing the talent show and staying in NJ, but this was a pretty good film. Don't expect Jason Mewes and his homously foul mouth to be popping up anywhere, just expect to be pleased with Smith's ability to embrace the mainstream while playing fast and loose with the rules.

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18 out of 29 people found the following comment useful :-
Most Heartfelt from Kevin Smith, 13 novembre 2004

Author: Anthony Cristo (anthonycristo@sbcglobal.net) de Hollywood, California

This is without any doubt my favorite Kevin Smith film. Unlike his other brilliant comedies this is a story that is truly written from the heart. It has a lot of warmth and pain mixed in with a complex story of a man coming to terms with his fatherhood. The fact that he dedicated the film to his late father shows this to be a film maker working through the loss of an important figure in his life. George Carlin gives a stand out performance as Ben Affleck's father and Ben Affleck gives a stellar performance of a man that comes to terms with the life he has instead of the life he (thinks) he wants. This film still has the same witty humor like any good Kevin Smith film does but it is undercut by the seriousness of the relationship between a child and their parent. Whether it is Ben's relationship with his father or his relationship as a father to his adorable daughter. The only criticism I had was that Ben could not bring himself to cry at a key moment in the film. Other than that, his and everyone else's performances were outstanding. Kevin Smith deserves much credit for revealing so much about himself in this film.

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16 out of 27 people found the following comment useful :-
Enjoyable Even If Its Not Original, 27 mai 2005

Author: christian123

Jersey Girl is an enjoyable film to watch, even if it is a little derivative. Ben Affleck plays Ollie Trinke, a Manhattan music publicist whose life is turned upside down when his pregnant wife (Jennifer Lopez) dies in childbirth, leaving him a single father. Moving to his father's house in a Jersey suburb, Ollie and his daughter Gertie try to get accustomed to the new lifestyle as Ollie meets a local woman (Liv Tyler) who helps change his look on life. The plot is nothing new but the film is still pretty good. I thought this film was going to be really bad but I was surprised. Its not an Oscar quality film, its just a nice to film to watch if you have nothing better to do. Ben Affleck's performance was actually not bad and its watch able. Liv Tyler performance was very good and she really showed she has some talent. Raquel Castro plays Gertie and she does an alright job but she is no Dakota Fanning. Jason Biggs has a very small role and he does a decent job. Jennifer Lopez isn't in the film for very long, which is good as her performance isn't very good. Matt Damon and Jason Lee both have cameos. Kevin Smith tries a new type of film and he does a good job. The only problem I had with Jersey Girl was that it wasn't very original. Most of the dialog had been used in previous films like Kramer vs. Kramer. The story is good even if it is a little unrealistic and unoriginal. The running time is only 102 minutes long so unless you really hate Affleck, its not too much of a pain to watch. The film is also very predictable so its disappointing that Kevin Smith didn't try something new. There are a lot of funny moments as well as sad moments that may get to you. In the end, this is a predictable, safe film to watch and one that can easily be enjoyed. Rating 7/10, worth checking out.

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16 out of 28 people found the following comment useful :-
Much worse than Gigli..., 19 janvier 2005

Author: Laurel (Laurel962@worldnetoh.com) de Cleveland Heights

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I am absolutely bewildered why "Gigli" got all this flack for being "the worst movie ever", and "Jersey Girl" got a pass. "Jersey Girl" is infinitely worse than "Gigli", which was an unfairly maligned, modest comedy....not a good film, but far from the worst movie I have ever seen.

On the other hand, "Jersey Girl" was saccharine and more maudlin than a Lifetime TV movie. Some of the worst acting and scriptwriting I can remember seeing, and a huge disappointment coming from Kevin Smith. I loved "Chasing Amy" and can recall when I first saw that film, thinking what great things were coming from Mr. Smith and Ben Affleck...wow, that's hard to believe now. I think Ben Affleck is one of the worst, most talentless actors working today, and Kevin Smith has betrayed what little promise he first demonstrated. A classic example of selling out.

I realize that films don't have to be absolutely literally authentic to "work" or to resonate with an audience, but "Jersey Girl" feels like something created by people who have never had children, had jobs or experienced a single recognizable human emotion.

Ben Affleck plays Ollie Trinke (pronounced TRINKIE), a name that you'd think would be a liability in the professional world. Nonetheless, he becomes a marketing exec making a six figure salary. He marries J-Lo, whose character is named Gertrude Steiney, implying strongly that she is a Jewish girl from New York, when in fact she is (obviously) Hispanic....I really don't get this. And when was the last time you met a YOUNG woman named Gertrude? It's not a very common name for anyone under the age of 80.

Gertie dies in childbirth (a rarity these days, but it can happen) and Ollie becomes unhinged and neglects his newborn daughter, leaving her in the care of his aging father (?). Apparently, even though he has a six figure income, the idea of a nurse, a nanny or even a babysitter has not occurred to Ollie or anyone else in the film. (HINT: many real life people make these arrangements BEFORE coming home from the hospital.)

After being fired for a public meltdown where he insults The Fresh Prince, Ollie is fired. (Apparently his bosses have not a bit of sympathy for a man who lost his wife just a couple weeks earlier, and is maybe having a breakdown.) Ollie apparently has no savings and receives no severance pay, because he goes from being a six figure executive with a Manhattan apartment to having to move in with his father.

Here the film gets really confusing, because seven (presumably boring childcare-filled) years are quickly skipped over and we see little Gertie, who is now seven, with Ollie, who has inexplicably taken a job as a street sweeper. Yes, that's right: a marketing executive, who probably has a master's degree, is forced to take a job as a street sweeper. There is not one single job in all of New York City, even in another field such as publishing, sales, etc. And his salary as a street sweeper (a unionized city job) does not pay enough for him to afford an apartment of his own, even in New Jersey.

This is what I mean by "written by someone who has never had children or a job". This is the kind of writing that is utterly out of touch with the real world, that can only be produced by hacks, utilizing scriptwriting software. It's an insult to the lives of real single parents and real human beings.

There is not the remotest explanation of who watched Gertie for the first five years of her life (years which are skipped in the film). Child care, even for a widowed parent, is apparently unknown...on the other hand, when does Mr. Smith think that street sweepers work? DURING THE DAY. So, someone somewhere had to be taking care of Gertie for the first five years of her life. Duh.

I cannot provide any spoilers, because around this point I couldn't stand it anymore. And I am not even going into the tasteless sex jokes and the depressingly slutty behavior of Liv Tyler's thankless character. Because I had to turn the movie off, I couldn't stand it anymore. This is only the second time in my whole life that I actually refused to watch a movie through to the end.

This is the bomb of the year and "Gigli" has been unfairly maligned. "Jersey Girl" is an absolutely horrible movie and you should avoid it at all costs...an insult to human intelligence.

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10 out of 17 people found the following comment useful :-
saccharin twaddle, 24 mars 2005

Author: toaster-8 de Bristol, England

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Spoilers ahoy! Please don't read on if you actually want to waste 100 or so minutes of your life with this movie!

This movie is a distinctly average paternal melodrama, with few redeeming features. It's plainly obvious that the scenes with J-Lo were edited down to reduce on the "Bennifer" factor. Ben Affleck has never been worse (in anything I've seen anyway, and I haven't seen Gigli, so I may be wrong), Liv Tyler's character is annoying as hell, George Carlin looks mildly concerned throughout, the kid is precocious, Jason Biggs is okay, but his character is pretty 2 dimensional. The only good scene I can recall is near the end where Affleck talks to Will Smith about parenting, this scene is very entertaining, and clearly the whole point of the film.

I get what Kevin Smith was trying to do here, his films are always autobiographical to a degree, Clerks was about working at a convenience store, Chasing Amy was about his relationships, Dogma was (in a round-about way) about his faith, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was for the fans, and Jersey Girl is about parenting. Sometimes I wish he'd keep his issues to himself and stick with the funny stuff, because he can be witty in a crass and unsophisticated way.

I'm a fan of clerks as a low budget achievement, plus it's very funny, and I have a certain affection for Mallrats as a silly, funny movie, chasing Amy has its moments, but there's too much shouting for my liking. This movie simply lacks anything memorable or noteworthy, aside from the aforementioned scene.

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
So bad it's funny, 6 septembre 2006

Author: cortez04 de United Kingdom

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Ben Affleck is hilarious. Every exchange between him and his on screen daughter is horribly contrived.

The plot in general is pretty damn poor.

There are three scenes in particular which stand out as clear indicators of the type of film this is.

1. Affleck's characters use of his old 'lawyering skills' to try and get the folk at the town meeting to approve some plumbing thing

2. When Affleck cracks up at his daughter and shouts some ridiculous thing about how the girl and her mother ruined his life. Everything from the course of the conversation to Affleck's face when he delivers what one can only assume was intended to be significant line to the daughter's funny little reaction is comic gold.

3. Then finally there's the scene where Affleck realises the error of his while talking to someone (inexplicably Will Smith) in the waiting room of his potential employers.

The only person who can be excused for having taken any part in such a debacle is Liv Tyler because she is very pretty and I like her. Every other cast member should be shot, especially Jennifer Lopez - who should be shot twice.

One lesson that could, however, be taken from this film is that if ever your romantic, family and work life are colliding with one another and it looks like there's no way out - seek out the one they call Will Smith, he'll clear it all up for you in a jiffy

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