Jersey Girl

Manhattan Premiere of
Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl

A departure and an arrival for writer/director Kevin Smith
Michael Flanagan

Jersey Girl is a departure from the "dick and fart joke" films that began Kevin Smith's career in the Jay and Silent Bob era, and while that earlier time was extremely entertaining, now we have a sign of better things to come. Still funny, but at times poignant and sad, Jersey Girl lets writer director Smith show off an emotional spectrum that is impressive, to say the least.

Ben Affleck once again proves he has the acting chops to chew on some meaty roles from time to time, even if there always seems to be a little bit Ben Affleck throughout. George Carlin is great, great, as the father, and he has one moment near the end that will rip your heartstrings off. JLo, in a brief appearance, deserves less controversy than Jesus for her stint in this film—Gigli she ain’t. And Liv Tyler…oh Liv…I was talking to Liv after the show, and I told her she was great in the movie, which she was, absolutely wonderful, and she looked down at me, since she’s 6’4” in heels and I’m a modest 6’2” (no heels), and she humbly said, “Thanks.”

Perhaps Racquel Castro deserves the most praise as the titular girl herself, Gertie. She is absolutely adorable, without being cute, and holds the role without breaking a sweat. It’s been a long time since a child actress has done what Castro has with this film, and it is great work throughout.

Kevin Smith deserves kudos for the writing and directing, of course. He has left the Jay and Silent Bob era (kind of) with ease and grace. With Jersey Girl, Smith delivers (no pun intended) a serious, dramatic romantic comedy that avoids the tradition of the genre, without too steadfastly breaking the mold. The movie works beautifully, but nothing is so beautiful as the last 5 minutes. The writing, acting, music choices, and even the lighting hit a home run. Well done, Smith, et. al.

Oh, and look for the “midlife Jay & Bob” in performances by Stephen Root and Mike Starr. Touching, hysterical, simply great.

Michael Flanagan

A Love Letter to Jersey, with some Sweet Words for New York
Christian De Matteo

SUPER

          Being a huge Kevin Smith fan, but a pessimist nonetheless, I was hesitant about his new PG-13, father/daughter romantic comedy thing.
          Tuesday night, at the red carpet premiere, I got to see the New York screening...and it's good.
          Very good.
          It's unfortunate that the Affleck/Lopez/Gigli media debacle has overshadowed and tainted the release of this film, because the movie is absolutely worth watching, fun and definitely a Kevin Smith movie. Though he managed to slim into the mainstream world with this movie, Jersey Girl is still a Kevin Smith movie. Back in the mid-seventies, when you turned on a rock station and heard only a few guitar riffs, you knew instantly which guitarist was strumming, distinctive styles being the rage. Likewise, no one but Kevin Smith could be responsible for the fantastic dialogue, excellent pacing and very human clown characters.
          Jersey Girl is not Clerks or Chasing Amy or Dogma, but it is an excellent new edition to the Smith library. Well acted, particularly by Jennifer Lopez (yes, I said that and mean it, see Out of Sight and The Cell) and George Carlin, who is the perfect father.
          Now, while there is no Jay and Silent Bob in this particular film, we do get Stephen Root and Mike Starr as "the midlife Jay and Silent Bob" (as stated in the credits by Smith) who are wonderful, particularly when Root has some Big Lebowski Donnie moments.
          The movie is terrific and more fun than a barrel full of prostitutes. And on top of it... for the first time since Chasing Amy, Smith has made a film with a very, very strong emotional center. When Lopez dies (oh come on, everyone knows that already!) Affleck's reaction is terrific, as is his conversation with his newborn daughter has some of the most realistic crying I've seen in a non-foreign film in some time. Smith directed his scenes of heartbreak and desperation with just enough sincerity to be heart-wrenching but not enough to make it an over the top ridiculous Oscar plea (see Pay It Forward, The Shipping News, Cold Mountain). This is a grounded, human story, with, neatly enough, theater references (or theATEr, as Mike might say) that are subtly worked in, particularly in the wonderful last scene.

Great job, Kevin... and now we await your superhero turn.

Christian De Matteo

Kevin Smith's shocking new movie
Joe De Matteo

SUPER

          With Jersey Girl, Kevin Smith must forever be seen in a different light. We all know that this talented writer/director can write foul mouth, dope smokin' irreverent characters, and is THE master of high-brow sophomoric characters, but in Jersey Girl he's pushed everything aside except his talent.
          Well, not everything. As Christian has points out, his writing style is certainly there.   Oh, and here we are in New Jersey again. Not that there's anything wrong with New Jersey!
          With Jersey Girl Kevin Smith comes roaring into the mainstream as a distinctive writer and director of quality romantic comedy.
          Kevin Smith has a "distinctive" way of telling a story; a unique voice that is spoken by every, otherwise, autonomous character.   The fact is that Kevin Smith is a young prolific man, and while many of us hope for more of his the Jay and Silent Bob type movies, we can now look forward to his talent and creativity producing great films in other genre.
          I can imagine a Kevin Smith Noir. Give a moment and think about what his Sam Spade would be like. A Kevin Smith fem-fatal, well we've seen different incarnations her around a few times. With Sidney Greeenstreet gone, who would play the charismatic and dapper criminal master-mind in a Kevin Smith Noir?
          I digress.
          George Carlin was a big surprise to me in Jersey Girl. I still can't believe it, but he does a great job as father/grandfather figure.
          Ben Affleck is as expected, meaning, he puts in a good performance.
          Liv Tyler, who, after becoming Arwen has a new mystique about her, is stunning in person. I have to tell you that she rendered Mike Flanagan into a stuttering mess, and Christian De Matteo, over dressed as usual, into smiling lump of Jell-O. I was out of reach and therefore immune, but I am taken with this fine actress. Her singular beauty and her talent reach down from the screen and demand ones attention. Never more evident than as Arwen, but I'll bet Maya in Jersey Girl will have similar power over you.
         I'm not a big Jennifer Lopez fan (no I'm not gay-but thanks for asking). I recognize that she is a talent, but she just doesn't do it for me. (No, I'm not a eunuch either-the high voice is natural.) However, she does it in Jersey Girl, her performance leaves you wanting more. I understand her on screen time was cut back, and maybe that has something to do with it. But her performance was excellent and gave depth to the setup of the plot.
          An important message for Jay and Silent Bob fans. The only way you'll be disappointed in Jersey girl is if you go there with the J & SB mind set. Go with a clean slate and give your hero, Kevin Smith, a chance to entertain you. If you like Kevin Smith's other work, you will like Jersey Girl. It will be like having drinks with an old friend that always has you rolling on the floor, but this time his in some kind of a new mood. You'll still enjoy the night, just in a different way. (No homosexual joke intended.)

Joe