The filmmaker Kevin Smith has tackled, through his films, the issues of less than satisfied employees, romantic relationships, religion, the movie industry, and entertainment gossip on the Internet. Now, with his latest flick, “”Jersey Girl””, the director handles that major of questions—New York, or New Jersey?
Ah, New York, with its job opportunities, fancy apartments, big musical productions, and celebrities, and New Jersey with, well…it may not have much (save for video store workers who look like Liv Tyler), but for the protagonist in this movie, it’s where his roots are.The choice made in this debate is no surprise, and Smith actually follows a more standard Hollywood approach than in his earlier work. The viewer knows how things will turn out, plus there are the plot developments, with the main character having to make a decision (one of which is clearly the right one), and then things turning around for a last-minute save. It is sad (sniff sniff) to see Smith go in this direction, but the movie still provides plenty of good jokes, thanks in part to George Carlin, and some decent performances too, including a recreation of a musical number from “”Sweeney Todd”” (!).Given the director’s personal life (he’s now a father–and his own father recently passed away), it’s not that much a surprise that he would go for a more subdued film—no Jay or Silent Bob, or foul-mouthed convenience store workers around. Rather, there is the story of a widower, his young daughter, his father, the father’s co-workers from the municipal department–Greenie (Stephen Root) and Block, and a video store employee (no, not Randall) who is a love interest possibility. Then there is the lead’s late wife, who is only seen at the beginning of the story before her passing on.Ollie Trinke (Ben Affleck), the lead, is a New Jersey native–Highlands to be specific–who has up and moved to the Big Apple where he works as PR person for musicians/music industry people. While in New York, he meets and falls for Gertrude Steiney (Jennifer Lopez)–Smith, again with the literary names–and their relationship grows: they move in together, and he also introduces her to his dad Bart (George Carlin, playing a fatherly role this time). All the while, he tries to balance her life with his busy schedule, something that becomes more challenging when she becomes pregnant, and he has to appear at music awards shows.Ollie’s clear-cut existence is thrown for a major loop when Gertrude dies immediately following childbirth (thereby creating a seriousness not seen often in Smith films) and now he has to raise a baby–something he is less than willing to do. Still grieving over his recent loss, Ollie and his infant daughter, Gertie (named after her mother) move in with his dad, and expecting the old man to do the babysitting chores while the workaholic son focuses on his job. Bart, however, feels it’s his son’s turn to be a dad and forces him to take care of his own child, leading Ollie to take Gertie to a major event at the Hard Rock Cafe, subsequently causing the career-driven guy to lose his cool and consequently his job.[pagebreak]When he finally calms down, Ollie does have a moving talk with his daughter, and somehow the baby seems to respond to him. The speech, while somewhat expected, The movie then flash forwards seven years, and Ollie is now working on the municipal department alongside his dad—with whom he also resides–and is also busy raising Gertie (now played by Raquel Castro). This last one is not always an easy task–his daughter is extremely preoccupied with the musical “”Cats””, he continually reminds her to flush, and he even finds her at home one day with a boy. Overall though, Ollie relishes spending time with Gertie, and even takes her on outings, including a trip to New York to see “”Sweeney Todd””.This is not to say that Ollie is all that content being in New Jersey, living in the house he grew up in, and sweeping the streets. As a result, he continually goes on interviews for PR positions in New York City, none of which pan out.Still, Ollie enjoys his life in the suburbs, a situation that grows favorable when he meets video store employee Maya (Liv Tyler–who seems to have forgiven Affleck for his animal cracker escapades in “”Armageddon””). After an initial–and hilarious–attempt at a tryst, they become just good friends. Things are going well for the protagonist then, until he is forced to defend–successfully–the Municipal Department’s closure of a street for repairs, and then becomes seriously bitten by the PR bug again and he considers returning to the land across the Hudson River.[pagebreak] This film is the tamest thing from Kevin Smith—it’s even rated PG-13! This is from a director whose films were sometimes threatened with being NC-17. The movie is more subdued, less of the outrageous activity such as in “”Dogma”” and “”Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back””, but more humor-laden than “”Chasing Amy””. “”Jersey Girl”” is Smith’s attempt at a family movie, or family-esque. Not only are many of the really offensive jokes gone, but there is more of a by-the-books plot, where a character is forced into a situation and has to choose between two events at the same time. The question is which event will said character choose; the answer is obvious. This, more than the PG-13 thing, will ultimately disappoint many of the director’s fans, who have come to expect the unexpected from the individual who created “”Clerks””. Kevin Smith has represented pushing the envelope, challenging the mainstream rather than working within it. This time, though, the filmmaker has really gone Hollywood–not just by having name stars in his movie, but through cliched plot developments as well.The movie, however, is not without merit. In fact, there are still some funny Smith-esque moments (as much as can be in a PG-13 film), such as when characters are caught in compromising positions, or the “”Sweeney Todd”” bits. In addition to the geographic debate, there is the theme of family, which, while basic, adds to the director’s list of topics covered in films, and reflects his own real-life status as a father.The acting here is generally good throughout, but the real standout is Castro. The young actress more than holds her own against the name stars in the cast. She seems much older than her young age–such as when she challenges her father in the movie (Affleck) over his job plans, or also how to categorize their outing in New York–and she even sings and dances late in the film, as does the rest of the cast come to think of it.Other notables in the cast include Carlin as the elder Mr. Trinke, a widower like his son, and who wants that son to take on his own family responsibilities in raising Gertie. Carlin, himself known for foul-mouthed entertainment, shows he do a subdued role, conveying a sometimes drunk but generally well-meaning individual who must help Ollie come to grips with his loss.In addition, there are veterans from past Smith films, including Betty ‘Lady’ Aberlin (she was a nun in “”Dogma””), this time providing humor as Gertie’s cynical schoolteacher. Regulars Jason Lee and Matt Damon also do well as a pair of job interviewers at a PR firm. As Ollie’s assistant Arthur Brinkman, Jason Biggs does a fair job, especially early when his character tries to remain cool alongside his boss’ increasingly erratic behavior.As for Affleck, well…it is hard to see him as being other than Ben Affleck at times, although he does well in the speech–somewhat predictable speech, but anyway–he gives to his character’s then-infant daughter. Here, Ollie has just lost his job, and now decides to move past a recent tragedy to become a father. It’s certainly a different role for Affleck, who has done action films, and romantic comedies (not to mention most of the other Smith films), but not as a family-minded guy. The musical number late in the film, mentioned briefly earlier, is fun to watch, even if not all in the cast can sing. Liv Tyler, who provides a kind of ‘romantic’ interest in this movie, has a decent enough voice (not quite her father, hehe, but good enough for what she has to do). If nothing else, this scene serves as a reminder that, while this is a more family-minded film, it is a Kevin Smith-family film.Overall, “”Jersey Girl””, while an ok flick in general, is the weakest of his work so far. The real question here is, has Kevin Smith gone completely Hollywood, what with story contrivances and big name performers, and ‘safe’ plots? The answer seems to be somewhat, there is much in the movie that is predictable, but there are still plenty of laughs, and moments that the man who portrayed Silent Bob still has much to offer.Speaking of Silent Bob, no he is not in this flick; rather it is a certain celebrity who provides the ‘message of the film’ here. Well, if nothing else, it shows Smith has reached the Big Time.Grade: B-EM Reviewby Andrew Haas3/26/04