…And it’s in a scene like this that Kevin Smith shows why he’s such a good comedy writer. There is a bedrock of truth in the scene, which is based on embarrassment and shyness and Maya’s disconcerting ability to say exactly what she’s thinking, and when Ollie tries to explain why he has remained celibate (except for his relationship with countless porno titles), she patiently explains about sex: “It’s the same thing only you’re saving the $2 rental fee.”

Inarguable logic, but he demurs, finally breaking down and agreeing to a lunch date. And thus does love reenter Ollie’s life. For Maya may be bold about sex, but she is serious about love, and soon like Gertie is saying “Hey, you’re the lady from the video store” at a moment when it would be much, much better had she not walked into the room.

Liv Tyler is a very particular talent who has sometimes been misused by directors more in love with her beauty than with her appropriateness for their story. Here she is perfectly cast, as the naive and sincere Maya, whose boldness is not a seduction technique but an act of generosity, almost of mercy. It takes a special tone for a woman to convince us she wants to sleep with a man out of the goodness of her heart, but Tyler finds it, and it brings a sweetness to the relationship.

[FULL REVIEW]

ZAP2IT – (***)

…Affleck’s character shows a surprising range of emotion — joy, grief, horror and love — but he’s rarely had a chance to show extreme tenderness, and he does that with newcomer actress Raquel Castro, who looks like the child that Ben and Jen may have had if they stayed together. This is perhaps Affleck’s best role as far as showing a range of emotion and some real acting.

He’s a publicist who goes off the deep end while taking care of his child, and there’s cameo appearances by his old sidekick Matt Damon as well as Jason Lee (who’s another Smith discovery), and a voice cameo by Mirmax’s chief Harvey Weinstein, who’s the boss of an ad agency. Then, there’s a surprising A-list celeb cameo that would spoil the shock if told, so we’re staying mum.

How can a movie be feel-good and gooey when the lead is accidentally checking out “Bi Bi Guys” from a woman he’s attracted to, and then she asks to interview him about his masturbation habits for a school paper? When she discovers he’s not had sex in seven years, she feels sorry for him and offers a sexual encounter that ends up being interrupted by his daughter.

It’s funny enough and subversive enough to satisfy the ever-aging Smith fan, and it’s a fine diversion into new territory for a writer/director who wants to stretch his talents a bit.

[FULL REVIEW]

SCREENIT.COM – (Parental Reviews)
…Beyond Smith’s decently structured story and well-written dialogue (some of which is terrific, although that won’t come as a surprise to the filmmaker’s fans), it’s the performances that really make the film so engaging. All of which caught me off guard since Affleck (“Paycheck,” “Daredevil”) is in the lead role.

While the actor is popular among the masses, he’s never been known for possessing award-caliber acting abilities (although there have been hints of strong points in certain films). And when he starts off shaky here, I had that sinking “Oh no, here we go again” feeling. Shock of all shocks, however, and following a rough crying scene, he actually manages to subdue some of his normal mannerisms and actually deliver a good and, more importantly, sympathetic performance.

…

With a heartwarming ending (that includes one of the aforementioned symbolic music numbers that’s a perfect fit in my opinion) and enough entertaining and decent modifications to the familiar plot, Smith has delivered an enjoyable offering that seems to signal a telling transformation in his filmmaking career.

While I didn’t expect to like “Jersey Girl” — and there will be those who don’t — it only gets better as it progresses and by the time the ending rolled around, it worked for me.

[FULL REVIEW]

INDIANAPOLIS STAR (***) – “‘Jersey’ is a warm ode to single parenthood”

…Ultimately, “Jersey Girl” becomes a warm-hearted comedy about life’s priorities.

Still, the point about parental responsibility is worth raising — and Smith and company raise it with good humor and affection. Affleck is believable at both the callous and loving ends of his portrayal, and Tyler offers appealing comic relief as the insightful Maya. Newcomer Castro is a charming heart-tugger as Gertie.

Having Carlin play Affleck’s father is inspired casting. Though he seldom acts, the stand-up comic successfully creates an ingratiating character, and gives the film some much-needed edge and spunk.

[FULL REVIEW]

FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL (***) – “Jersey Girl: A little girl’s gentle sweetness”

The first PG-13 film of Kevin Smith’s gleefully profane career is a leap in a very new, much more mature direction. This from the man who brought us the low-budget dirtiness of Clerks and the sexual adventurousness of Chasing Amy. Jersey Girl reflects Smith’s more grown-up sensibility — he’s married with a kid now — and also his evolution as a filmmaker.

…

Smith, too, shows a new, and entirely welcome, side of himself with Jersey Girl. The filmmaker who once claimed he’d never be capable of making a serious movie that spanned actual seasons has made the first widely appealing film of his career. He has done so without abandoning his trademark sense of humor. The Jay and Silent Bob fans may weep, but for pretty much everyone else, there’s cause to rejoice.

[FULL REVIEW]