Review of Jersey Girl (1992) by Andy M — 06 Jun 2009

Jersey Girl is the latest film by the creator of Clerks, Mallrats, and, of course, Jay & Silent Bob, Kevin Smith. It stars Ben Affleck as Ollie, a New York publicist who, when tragic events lead to him being a single parent, finds that the pressures of a high-flying job and being a single parent donâ??t mix well. When he vents steam at a publicity event by insulting the star he is hired to represent, and also the press who are baying like dogs, he finds himself out of work, out of home, and moving back to new Jersey to live with his father (George Carlin).

For a Kevin Smith film, this is not what you expect. Nope,this is a completely different film to his usual cannon, and indeed he said himself that he would alienate a lot of his fanbase with it. Well, this is one fan who embraces this film completely, and sees a new style from an already great writer/director. With this film he has proven he is not a one-trick-pony, but can deliver a different, heartfelt, and deeply personal film. He has also proven that he is one of the only people on this planet who can get a good performance out of Affleck!

Affleck truly shines throughout. His usual wooden mannerisms have been chiselled away, and here we see emotion, passion, and believability. It is hard to think that this is the same Affleck who gurned his way through Pearl Harbour! But he isnâ??t the only star here. There isnâ??t a single cast member who doesnâ??t shine. Carlin, as Afflecks father, is on excellent form, as is Liv Tyler as the peculiar vidoe rental assistant. All of these pale, however, alongside the Raquel Castro playing the â??Jersey Girlâ?? of the title, Grtie. Unlike most child actors this is one kid who can actually act like a kid! The smiles, laughs, tantrums, questions, are all delivered with total believability, and you do actually believe that Affleck and she are related.

The script and direction by Smith move things along at a decent enough pace, whilst also slowing down at times to allow the audience to emote. With witty dialogue, and a well scripted story, the film is a deeply personal film by Smith, where he shares the experiences he has had with fatherhood, along with the love he has for his father. The direction is less static than most of Smithâ??s films thanks to his using a new Director of Photography.

Overall this is a beautiful film by a man most associated with foul-mouthed stoners. You could say it is a film so far Askew of the Askewniverse. Recommended viewing for lovers and haters of Smith.