Jersey Girl
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Formulaic script and uneven tone. Disappointing.
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Jersey Girl
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Based on 2 parent reviews
nice cute movie!
What's the Story?
Ollie (Ben Affleck) has it all -- a successful career as a publicist for pop stars and a beautiful wife (Jennifer Lopez). When she dies in childbirth, he is shattered. He turns the baby over to his father (George Carlin) and throws himself into his work. Ollie falters at first but then discovers how much he loves that baby. He loses his big fancy job and ends up driving a street sweeper like his father so he can take care of her. Seven years later, she has grown up into an adorable movie tyke named Gertie (the very talented Raquel Castro), and he is just about ready to begin to notice the very pretty girl (Liv Tyler) at the video store. Then comes the big crisis -- will Ollie go after that big fancy new job or will he be there for Gertie's school talent show?
Is It Any Good?
The jokes in JERSEY GIRL movie are so flat, so easy, so boring. Can you really think it's funny to have Ollie, circa 1997, try to persuade reporters that George Michael is "all about the ladies?" And a "meet cute" over bisexual porn in the video store? Having a young child sing Mrs. Lovett's role in "Sweeney Todd" at a school production isn't as charming as you think it is (though it is pretty funny that all of the other children perform numbers from "Cats"). The two barflies who act as Gertie's "uncles" aren't as cute as you think they are, either. Bart's alcohol problem comes and goes for the convenience of the script. The "playing doctor" scene and subsequent twist feels like a "very special" episode of "Full House" to the tune of "The Cat's in the Cradle."
Affleck has some affecting moments and Tyler's offbeat warmth makes their scenes together work better than they have a right to. Castro transcends her character's faux adorability with some real star power. But the formulaic script and uneven tone make this film a real disappointment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they balance their family and work responsibilities. What are some of Ollie's alternatives? Do you think Ollie is a good father? Do you think Bart is a good father? Sometimes families are made up of people who are related to each other, and sometimes they are made up of people who just care about each other -- do you agree?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 23, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: September 7, 2004
- Cast: Ben Affleck , Jennifer Lopez , Liv Tyler
- Director: Kevin Smith
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Miramax
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: language and sexual content including frank dialogue
- Last updated: November 1, 2023
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