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Love this movie!!

While I don't love Ben Affleck, I loved this movie. Kevin Smith is a great filmmaker because he knows what is a great idea. I loved the little girl in this movie, struggling to identify who she and who her family is. George Carlin is also great in a more serious role. Definitely recommmend this movie!

Pretty Lame

I thought this movie was pretty bad. It was SO easy to predict. Liv Tyler's role was so small, I think she is a lovely actress, who made a bad choice to work in such a cheesy movie.
Ben Affleck may be fabulous eye candy, but I must say, his acting abilities are lacking substance.
Overall, I would skip this one all together. Even as a rental.

Don't bother.

I was actually looking forward to seeing this movie. I love Liv Tyler, and Kevin Smith's previous movies (ie. Clerks, Chasing Amy) were very entertaining, but this movie stinks. Bad acting on the part of Affleck, or just plain overacting. The little girl looked adorable but acted like a petulant teenager, not a seven year old. There was no innocence to her, sad. The music was cheesy. I actually heard someone snort during Affleck's tear jerking scene with his infant daughter. A part of me suspected this was video material but there isn't much choice out there. Let's hope Kevin Smith gets back to his roots and sticks with his other players, like Jason Lee, he is hilarious.

saccharin twaddle

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.

Kevin Smith does it again

being a huge fan of kevin i couldn't wait to see this movie. Having seen all of his pictures many times i went in there with a sense of his style of writing and directing and came out pleasantly surprised.Although Kevin's genius dialogue and visionary style come through in Jersey Girl, it does so in a whole new way.Including a star performance by Ben Affleck and Raquel Castro that left me in tears many times Jersey Girl is great film and Kevin and the whole Viewaskew family and fans should be proud of it. I know i am:)(10/10)

Jersey Girl's a winner

Heartwarming and clever, this ensemble cast works well. Coupled with the writing of Kevin Smith, you have a winner. I saw it March 10 and I will see it again today (March 26).

Strange movie, with some good things but a dreadful story

I started the film with the feeling that I was going to see the 1000th romantic comedy of the year. Affleck and Lopez together again, but wasn't Liv Tyler the main female character?

After a good start, the first strange thing arises: JLo is out of the film in 15 minutes! Is this good or bad news? Her removal was the beginning of a set of dreadful scenes. The worst of it: the never-ending Affleck's monologue in front of his baby splashed of useless spots of the child's sunrise and the grandfather (Goerge Carlin) nodding every of his son's words.

Then, we discover the truth: neither Lopez nor Tyler is the star, but Raquel Castro. This is the really Jersey Girl and not one of the adults. So the first fifteen minutes were useless. Besides, Affleck's role (Ollie) is becoming more convincent and Raquel's acting is marvellous and this is what make the film not deserve a "failure" with only one star.

Aftherwards, the "late entry" of Liv Tyler (Maya) in the movie is too abrupt, as well as the terrible fight between the girl and his father. More abrupt is Will Smith's cameo (why has he got to speak so bad about himself?).

The worst thing is not the story itself, but some scenes which are totally unjustifiable. The film is sexually spotless unless for two minutes. The film is orally spotless unless for the resturant dialogue between Maya and Ollie. And the worst of the worst is the way she enters in Ollie's life: A pre-doctoral sexologist in a video-store? A first-view questionnaire about masturbation which encovers a sexual attraction for a widower? Too strange.

The film should be easily re-oriented to a family comedy from a romantic comedy cutting the first 15 minutes and the mother's death, some out-of-tone words and the shower and the restaurant scenes.

The director had a dilemma. It had to be clear that Ollie was a workaholic and that he hated his new job. So there had to be some scenes of his past life with her wife before the child was born. How could he do it? Well, I am not a movie director...

Well, actors saved the film and at least made this a decent film to watch. I think Affleck never did it so good, but this is not a reason to recommend this movie.

An Excellent Change in film Genre!

I had been anxious to see Kevin's newest film, "Jersey Girl" for over a year; I was extremely disappointed when Miramax held up the film's release for almost a year after it was completely done. Anyway, the release date did finally come and I went to see it the weekend it came out. I LOVE IT!!! I wondered just how Kevin would pull off this film, since it is completely different than any of his previous films and I have to admit, I wasn't surprised by what a GREAT JOB he did writing and directing his "Jersey Girl". Naturally, as with many films, there were a few places in the film that I thought seemed a little weak; for instance, the development of Afleck/Tyler's relationship, just didn't seem believable to me; however, the relationship which developed between Afleck and the 'jersey girl' was phenominal! As was the relationship between Ollie and his father. I gained a brand new and deserved respect for George Carlin after seeing him in "Jersey Girl". more so than in any of Kevin's other films that he appeared in. One thing that I worried about prior to seeing "Jersey Girl" was whether or not my familarity with the movie's setting and location would keep me from 'getting into the film and characters' like I should. I grew up in Atlantic Highlands,which is the neigboring community to Highlands; I spent as much time in Highlands and knew that community as well as I knew Atlantic Highlands. I went to St Agnes Parocial for grammar school, but transferred to the new regional school built for junior/senior high school students from both Atlantic Highlands and Highlands in 1962 as an 8th grader and graduated just before the famous, "Summer of Love" in June 1967, Henry Hudson Regional School, home of the Admirals.
Anyway, my 'fears'about my familarity with the film's setting were non-existent as I watched and enjoyed "Jersey Girl".
I found myself becoming 'emotionally involved' with what the characters were going through and any movie that can bring this out in the viewer is not just a 'good movie', it's a GREAT MOVIE! Thank You, Kevin; and yes, Ms Keeler definately would be PROUD!

Predictable but sweet

Really a charming film, and very much out of character for Kevin Smith. Of course, he did say that he had one PG-13 film in him, and this was it. Still, his characteristically deft dialogue is present, along with many chuckles and a few sniffles. Ben Affleck does a good job with his good-guy yearning for his old life, Liv Tyler is cute as usual as the quirky video store clerk, George Carlin does surprisingly well in his most "serious" role to date, and the little girl (sorry I don't have her name in front of me right now) is simply adorable. Sure, we know how it's going to end within the first 20 minutes of the film, but sometimes it's fun to go down a familiar path, especially if the atmosphere and scenery are pleasant and easy on the eyes.

Kevin Smith's Salute to Parenthood

Kevin Smith's style prior to this movie included well-written dialogue from thoughtful characters. In particular, the View Askew Universe is populated with characters who talk frankly, honestly and often hilariously about sex. That style is somewhat imperfectly transferred to a movie that features as one of it's main characters a 7 year old girl.

Ben Affleck portrays Ollie Trinke, a High-Profile New York music publicist who begins the picture married to Jennifer Lopez. Poor J. Lo blows an aneurism in childbirth and Ollie is left with little Gertie - named after her Mom.

We see scenes of Ollie trying to juggle his 18 hour a day job with being a single Dad when he blows a gasket at a high-profile press outing for Will Smith. (Will is late for the Hard-Rock Cafe ceremony and shows up later in the film as himself in a real "good sport" kind of role.) The incident becomes so famous among the hacks of New York that even years afterward they call it the "Fresh Prince Incident". Ollie loses his high-profile job and moves back home to Dad's house in Jersey. Dad is played by George Carlin in one of his best film performances.

Seven years are skipped and we again touch base with Ollie and Gertie. From here Gertie is played by Raquel Castro, and I thought that she was not only a competent child actress, but she definitely looks like she could have been J-Lo's child.

Ollie is so single-mindedly devoted to being "Dad" here that he essentially doesn't date for 7 years. He meets Maya, played by Liv Tyler, who works at the local video store while pursuing her degree in sociology. They begin a relationship as essentially platonic - Maya is intrigued by this man who comes in 3-4 times a week and rents porno videos while little Gertie is renting either Barney or "Dirty Dancing". At one point Maya decides to take a little sexual pity on Ollie, and I thought the scene that follows was one of the better thought-out ones of the film.

Ollie has been TRYING to get back into the limelight, but he is a professional pariah ever since the "Fresh Prince Incident". Finally an old friend and subordinate offers him an interview.

Will Ollie get the job despite the "Fresh Prince Incident"? Will he force Gertie to leave the comfortable confines of George Carlin's Grandpa? Will Ben Affleck come tearing back to his child's school at the last moment before Gertie gets up on her elementary school stage and performs in a Broadway-scale production that you see 7 year olds in all the time?

Kevin Smith gets his fingerprints indelibly on this film, but it's not as witty or profane as "Clerks" or "Chasing Amy". It's also a little more "by the formula" than perhaps would be expected from this talented writer-director. I got the sense that Liv Tyler was supposed to be a little frumpy as this video-store graduate student, but I couldn't help noticing that she looked an awful lot like one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood.

Recommended for those who would like a kinder, gentler Kevin Smith. Jay and Silent Bob are nowhere to be seen.

just a little laugh..a little tear...

Ollie Trinke is a slick Manhattan rock promoter who falls in love, gets married, and has a baby. Things are cool so far. During labor, his beautiful wife delivers a lovely baby girl. But sadly, Mom doesn't make it. Ollie really loved his wife. And the problem is now: Who will take care of the child while Ollie presents Fresh Prince? A talented cast, a witty script, and the devilish Kevin Smith have given birth to the sleeper of the year. Aren't we all chasing that better job? Should I buy a new cell phone? Is my car out of date? Does it matter? "Jersey Girl" attacks the GEN-X madness of modern big-city rat-race. What is happiness all about? The big bucks or the little family? No new ground here, but very flawless execution. "Jersey Girl" stars Ben Affleck, cool and sober, and perfect as big-shot Ollie Trinke. The cast includes Liv Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon, Will Smith, and a very remarkable George Carlin. The real ringer is little Raquel Castro,as 7-year-old Gertie. This tiny ball of dynamite from Long Island steals your heart and leaves you laughing out-loud. Doubt me? Don't just buy a ticket for "Jersey Girl", get down to the theater right now! My mother was from Teaneck. Trust me on this one. There's nothing like a "Jersey Girl".

Take it for What it is and You'll Love it

The movie was good. I went in to the movie open minded, knowing that the movie was going to be sappy and sweet and pretty predictable. What sets this movie apart from all the others that are sappy, sweet, and etc. is that the writing and the dialogue are great. The characters are good. Ben Affleck does a good job as Ollie as well as George Carlin as his father. I would recommend this movie highly as a good solid movie. Nothing tremendously ground-breaking but completely worth the price of admission. For Kevin Smith fans, you'll like it for the dialogue and tremendous writing that you like Smith for. For fans not to familiar with Smith, you'll enjoy the difference Smith brings to a genre that is usually stale. 8/10

Kevin Smith tries something different and fails

Another terrible Kevin Smith film, he tried to make a nice funny comedy film, which really makes no sense because he should have just stopped making films anyway if he knows he's already losing his bloody touch. Kevin Smith makes horrible movies, let's face it, you bloody fanboy scums, he sucks. This movie was a terrible piece of crap...which somehow didn't feature JAY AND F--KING SILENT BOB!!!! My God, why doesn't Kevin Smith stop already? I like it when directors stick with their styles so people know it's their type of film. Sure, it's healthy to attempt something different but it ALWAYS FAILS. So here, humanity, look at see what happens when awful directors make awful movies more terrible then their regular films already.

Disappointing Effort From Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith returns with Jersey Girl, an inferior effort from a director with a decidedly uneven body of work. Ben Affleck is a PR guy in Manhattan whose life crumbles when his wife (Jennifer Lopez) dies giving birth. He subsequently loses his job under the strain of being a single parent, and moves in with his public works father (George Carlin) in New Jersey. Enter Liv Tyler as a graduate student moonlighting as a video store clerk. Tyler adds immensely to a film that often contains clichés, too many sugary scenes, and plot turns that just don't ring true. Raquel Castro steals many scenes she's in as Affleck's daughter. George Carlin adds an OK presence as Affleck's blue collar father, as do Carlin's work buddies. The Manhattan vs. New Jersey, my glamorous job vs. Joe Blow job, sacrifice for my only child scenario is all too predictable and far from believable in this film. In fact, with a PR job in Manhattan, Affleck should have been able to afford great childcare, instead of carrying his kid to work with him. That part was just ridiculous. Affleck is also poor in certain pivotal scenes, appearing more mawkish than sincere. The brief scenes between him and Lopez contain several unintentionally funny bits of dialog, in light of their real life association. Ben Affleck is a major liability in this movie, and was probably miscast. Some of his scenes seem forced and the denouement is entirely unbelievable as well. A positive aspect of the film is Smith's continuing ability to write good, original scenes. The scenes where he meets Liv Tyler in the video store and at the diner are the examples in particular. They have a very genuine, spontaneous feel to them. The scene with a Hollywood cameo near the end is also well written. The cinematography is better than usual for a Kevin Smith film too. Despite its weaknesses, Liv Tyler and Raquel Castro both make this film watchable, funny, and enjoyable. **1/2 of 4 stars.

NOT BAD! (3 1/2 STARS)

Not a movie I ever would have rented, but
I caught it on cable today, and it was
actually good. I wouldn't say it's a

family film, but it will hold your attention!
The little girl in this film is really cute,
and lovable. Enjoyable movie!

COMPLETE GARBAGE FROM START TO FINISH.

(...). Many people (aside from me) failed to keep from laughing out loud at his most poignant scenes -- he's just completely unbelievable. Liv Tyler gives a nice performance, and the bit parts of Steven Root are quite funny. But at this point, George Carlin is not the funny man he used to be, but just a bitter old man.

I truly hope Kevin Smith doesn't feel like he's got to keep casting Ben Affleck. I'd like to be able to enjoy his films again. This was complete garbage from start to finish.

I Liked It

I Liked It I found it very interesting because it wasn't the same recycled Hollywood story we see in movies all the time it was good well done and written.I also work in the movie industry and have seen and read a lot of movies and this was very good compared to half the stuff iv seen and that has been made and printed.Well done KEVIN SMITH great Writer,Director and actor big fan of your work.If you haven't seen it then you should just to see how raw and nice it is to see a movie that isn't the same "hollywood" story.ENJOY the "non norm" TJ

Don't listen to critics, this is a great movie

Kevin Smith got panned for this flick, but that is only because everyone was expecting Jay and Silent Bob to show up and start telling fart jokes. This is a good flick, despite all the negative reviews this movie got. It does have some really funny moments, however the flick is primarily about the main character's transition into a completely different type of life. Some of George Carlin's best acting is in this film. Most people will probably enjoy this flick, so long as they don't go in expecting "Clerks 3" or something similar.

Didn't deserve the bad rap

From what I'd heard I thought this movie was supposed to be horrible.I'ts not a lost classic by any stretch but it's warm and touching and the interaction between the liv Tyler and Ben Affleck characters is quirky and refreshing for a "hollywood" movie.The supporting cast is good and the kid is cute.

I Wish I Didn't Know ...

I went into Jersey Girl thinking "Kevin Smith - this is gonna be the funniest movie of the year!" I have loved all of his movies since I was in High School, and in my opinion he is one of the most talented script writers in the world. But I was a little disappointed at Jersey Girl at first. If I hadn't known it was a Kevin Smith film, I would've loved it right away. But it wasn't until after I set aside what I was expecting and after I read the story behind it that I truly fell in love with the movie just like I did Clerks. Kevin Smith wrote on his website, ViewAskew.com, that he came home one night, and watched his wife put their baby to bed, and thought about how his wife took to motherhood so easily, and how he was not around as much as he should be. After his wife went to bed, he just started to write, and the result was tthe first 50 pages of what is now Jersey Girl. That, and his confession that it was finished in time to be a Valentine's Day gift for his wife, really gave a new perspective on the story.