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Kevin Smith, long known for his foul-mouthed ventures and geeky comic book fanboy ramblings, here makes a film completely opposite to his previous movies. Ten years ago, he made Clerks., an excellent, vulgar guy comedy that referenced Star Wars. Now he's made Jersey Girl, a pretty good, sweet romantic comedy that references Star Wars. Well, some things never change. The plot is nothing you've never heard before, but it works well enough for the movie. Ollie Trinkie (Ben Affleck), a successful New York publicist, is married to Gertrude Steiney (Jennifer Lopez) in the early 90's, and everything seems to be going great. She becomes pregnant, and as she gives birth to their child, she dies in an extremely painful scene...it even had my guy parts aching. But see, that's one of the best parts of the movie. Not because of how well-done it is (and I thought it was), but because it's unintentionally hilarious. In real life, as you all know, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were a mega couple known as Bennifer, until Gigli came out and completely ruined their careers as well as their relationship. Things ended very badly, and very publicly. So, in his first post-breakup movie, she dies after about 10 minutes. I know I should have been crying instead of laughing, but I couldn't help myself. Having a very hard time raising a child by himself, Ollie accidentally badmouths Will Smith (um...Will Smith) publicly, and loses his job. His colleague, Arthur Brickman (Jason Biggs), stays by his side, remaining a friend. Ollie is forced to move in with his father, Bart Trinkie (the master himself, George Carlin). Now it's the late 90's, and they are both doing their part to raise Gertie (Raquel Castro). Ollie is depressed and convinced that he'll never love another woman again until the smart, funny Maya (Liv Tyler) comes into his life, showing him that there may be hope after all. Kevin Smith has had his immature fun, and now seems bound to make more serious, dramatic fare. Which is why his next project is The Passion of the Clerks. Well, whatever makes him money. In any case, Jersey Girl is a step in the right direction for a new agenda for Smith, as well as a nice recuperation for Ben Affleck after the disastrous Gigli, which seems to have utterly annihilated his career. It's a good movie. Not a great movie, but a good one. Maybe one reason that it doesn't achieve being anything more than "pretty good" is because, well, it's corny. Yes, Kevin Smith has experienced the joys of fatherhood and does a nice job of bringing his feelings to the audience, but it comes as a slight disappointment that he resorts to a conventional, rather clichéd script with a couple of cheesy yet well-acted monologues. Seriously, just by peeking at the trailers, you can tell how it ends. But if there's anyone with the square-jawed, all-American charisma to pull it off, it's Affleck. Granted, Armageddon and Reindeer Games were not cinema masterpieces, but the guy is likable, no matter how you roll the dice. He can crack a grin and a laugh with the best of the Calvin Klein underwear models. Smith knows this, having worked with him several times previously, and exploits it. When Affleck does try to exude emotion, it's not entirely convincing, but we like him so much at that point that we buy it nonetheless...manipulation in cinema doesn't always work, but here it does, and to a sweet, saccharine effect. Liv Tyler also works well opposite him, perfectly cast in the role of Maya. She acts completely opposite her style in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and that may actually be a very good thing. We get to know her delightful, charming side here. However, the most inspired casting decision is George Carlin, who gives the best performance in the movie. He's a brilliant comedian, perhaps the best, and here is both warm and funny...without ever having to say the "f-word" that has made him infamous. Jason Biggs is also pretty funny, and shows that the spark of talent he had in those godforsaken American Pie movies wasn't a fluke. Jersey Girl may be a standard, conventional romcom, but it's Smith's wit, Carlin's genius, and Affleck's charm that make it worth your time. --Courtesy of REELPICKS.CJB.NET-- email this review to a friend
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