Jersey Girl
Ollie Trinke (Ben Affleck) seemingly had it all. A high-paying job as a publicist at a music company. A beautiful wife (Jennifer Lopez) with a baby on the way. Then it all came crashing down. The baby is born but the mom dies shortly after delivery. After a few short weeks, Ollie loses it in front of the press while trying to juggle his newborn with a Will Smith press event and gets fired. So he moves back to New Jersey with his father to raise young Gertrude. Fast forward seven years later, with Gertie (Raquel Castro) firmly planted in school and Ollie taking over his father's job as garbageman and street sweeper. Ollie though still yearns to get back into the publicity game, never turning down an interview. One night, he gets to know the video store clerk Maya (Liv Tyler) who learns of Ollie's story and starts to fall for him. Meanwhile, Ollie starts to get New York City on his mind again with a trip there with Gertie to see a Broadway play as well as the prospect for a job with his old assistant's company. But can he leave all that he's built up in New Jersey for the life he once led?

Yes, it's a cliched story, but I found that the pieces for success were there. You have the adorable kid in Castro, a scene stealer. You've got the beautiful love interest in Tyler. You've got great comedic support in George Carlin. Kevin Smith writes some good lines and directs a fine film. The group's theatre production in the end is hilarious. The problem? Affleck. In his career, he's never shown the talent and charm to be a romantic lead. Dramas and action flicks seem more his thing (Armageddon, also with Tyler, Good Will Hunting, Daredevil, The Sum of All Fears). Films where his romance seems to take a back seat to the more important things. In here, his demeanor doesn't seem to be one who can be caring or loving. This from a guy who is consistently funny outside of the movie spectrum (i.e. SNL). Without the convincing male lead, the film doesn't work. And Jersey Girl just barely works. 2.5 stars