Posted by SomberTrails at ool-4355bc30.dyn.optonline.net on March 08, 2004 at 20:43:32:
It’s been a few days since I saw Jersey Girl at the Kenny Gordon screening. I needed sometime for the film to sink in so I could approach it fairly. While viewing it, I was on such an “I’m gonna meet Affleck later” high. And then at the end of the night, I was all, “I didn’t get to meet Affleck, fuck this movie” kick. But I’m past all that now. I wanted to write this review before I see the film again this week at the Jacob Burns screening.
And now for the review. Quite simply, Jersey Girl is Kevin’s best film to date. It’s still not my favorite (forever and always, goes to Amy), but still his most well-made film. The writing was top notch, the dialogue the smoothest and most natural ever attempted by Kevin. Kevin managed to mature without any of us knowing. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was great in its absolutely cartoonish nature, and now we get the complete opposite. He even managed to take a jab at the extraneous vocabulary put to use in his earlier films, such as Clerks. When Castro called out Affleck on using a big word, it was hysterical. Overall, the writing was so completely Kevin, but not the same Kevin we’ve been used to over the years.
The look of the film was shocking. I didn’t expect the film to look as good as it did. Kevin had been working with various cinematographers since Dogma, and trying lots of new things. It clicked in this film like it hadn’t in Dogma or JASBSB. Never thought I’d see such a pretty crane shot in one of Kevin’s films like the one early on in Jersey Girl. I give props to Zsigmond for shooting in a way that complimented Kevin’s style so well.
As for the performances, here we go. Affleck turned out one of his best to date. This one is on par with Chasing Amy, Bounce, and Changing Lanes. Affleck immersed himself into the character so well. His breakdown after hearing of Lopez’s death was heartbreaking.
Raquel Castro managed to steal the show from him though. The two of them had great chemistry all the way through. Everything mentioned about her was true, she was an absolutely incredible find.
The likes of Carlin and Tyler also deserved praise. Carlin’s “dying alone” moment was another time when you couldn’t help but tear up. I never though the man would have it in him. I’d like to see him carry out more dramatic roles in the future. As for Tyler, this was my favorite performance of hers to date. She was funny and adorable and just an all-around gem.
Rounding out the cast were Lopez, Biggs, Mike Starr, and Stephen Root. All had their little moments, each leaving you wanting more.
With all that being said, this wouldn’t be a fair critique unless there was some criticism. This is a film that is hard to hate, but that’s where some of the criticism comes in. I mentioned above that this was a more mature Kevin than previous films. It was also surprisingly softer, lacking that edge Kevin used to wield. I can agree that it would not have been appropriate, but something more would have helped. It felt as though nothing was at stake. You knew watching the film that Affleck would come to terms with his new life and realize he didn’t need his old life as much as he thought he did.
Before going on, I should mention, the strongest moment of the film, absolutely jawdropping, was the fight been Castro and Affleck over moving to NY. It makes me want to take back my “no edge” comment. The scene culminated in a shockingly real, emotional moment that shows you exactly how harsh both parents and children can get during a heated moment. Kevin didn’t hold back for that instance, and I believe that is what made the scene so effective.
I feel the film needed more of those moments. Months earlier, Kevin posted that he felt he could get away with a longer running time because Jerry Maguire got away with a longer running time. While the cut I saw was shorter than Jerry Maguire, I don’t know if a longer version would have lent itself to this film. Jerry Maquire succeeded because it took risks, not just with it’s running time, but how it spent that time. Kevin didn’t take many risks with Jersey Girl. That’s not completely a bad thing, but still not a good thing. Watching the film though, you knew how it was going to work out. There wasn’t a question of doubt.
The decision to cast Will Smith in a Deus Ex Machina role was clever and humorous, but I feel it took something away from the Ollie character. After all that was going on, I would have liked for him to realize it for himself. I would have liked him to have earned it instead of being given it.
I could have stood to be more invested in Ollie. I honestly would have liked to have seen more of his NY life with Lopez before the death scene. It would have aided more to the feeling of loss.
Another opportunity which wasn’t utilized was the sequence where Affleck got up and spoke in front of the town. It felt like the set-up to a Jimmy Stewart sort of moment, but then segued into a musical montage of images. I wanted that speech. I know its intent was for Gertie to see the Ollie character as he used to be, but I feel as though we should have gotten to see the whole thing as well.
I tend to be more critical of the films I love more than the films I hate. I have more to say because I was more connected with the film. Jersey Girl was quite a change for Kevin. And I do believe it was a change for the better. I’d rather not have another Jay and Silent Bob movie after this film. Kevin chose a great new direction to head in. In a lot of ways, this was a new first film for him. It’s not so bad that I was just left wanting even more. It isn’t as though there wasn’t enough, but I was hooked in so much that I wanted even more to be explored.
Ultimately, this film was a love letter to Harley and one of the most beautifully written love letters I’ve seen. I applaud Kevin for it...
And I still wish I could have gotten into the VIP room early enough to meet Affleck. It was a huge part of the reason I went. Oh well, another time I’m sure.