Review of Jersey Girl (2004) by Steve S — 21 Jun 2010

** (out of four).

Director Kevin Smith switches gears a bit with this gooey comedy drama. It's nice to see Smith try something different, but I wish he had been able to make a better film out of this bland and predictable picture.

Ben Affleck plays Ollie, a high powered entertainment executive. He seems to have it all, but his life comes to a crashing halt when his wife dies while in childbirth. In order to care for his daughter best he moves back to New Jersey to raise her. There he begins to fall in love again.

The makings for an interesting film are here. But it is just too special and the sentiments feel like they are forced upon us. I think Smith should have added a little more edge and less me artificial feel-good plot devices.