Jersey Girl

The sixth film from writer/director Kevin Smith, this movie marks Smith's departure from the Askewniverse and his entrance into a very personal and heartfelt comedy starring Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler.

Affleck plays Ollie Trinke, a publicist in the music industry who knocks up Jennifer Lopez and ends up with just the kid when his wife dies in childbirth. Quickly he gets ousted from his career after making a huge mistake in a scene in which I am in and he spends more time raising his daughter and spending time with his father while never quite getting over his wife's death until Liv Tyler's Maya comes along.

This movie hits all the right spots, it's very sad in the sad parts and hilarious in the funny parts. It's also a family movie, another first for Smith whose trademark vulgarity takes a backseat for story and acting, resulting in a very warming tale that may alienate some of his casual fans who expect another Jay & Silent Bob romp. Affleck and Tyler have great chemistry together and George Carlin turns in a crotchety performance as Ollie's father. The girl who plays the Jersey Girl of the title does a fantastic job as well, never becoming as annoying as most child actors do and remaining likeable and humorous throughout.

The mugging by Affleck as the father gets tired once or twice but the movie remains satisfying and won't have you looking at your watch wondering when will it end. Check it out.