Cracking comedy with a cute kid and a bevy of babes. There’s enough cynical squirts of lemon juice to make this thia a perfect night out for blokes as well as the birds. Unfolding at a fast and funny pace with a few tears on top. We have widowed dad Ollie (Ben Affleck) learning to cope with daughter Gertie brillianly played by Raquel Castro. And Ben’s a revelation in this: charming, funny and likeable. On paper this may look pretty predictable – a widowed dad, a cute kid, a new love- but this belter of a filmhas bitter core, courtesy of writer, director Kevin Smith. He’s the man behind mad flicks like Dogma & Clerks. So expect grown-up and at times, painful elements. And look out for comedy king George Carlin, a man whp makes Victor Meldrew look like a Prozac junkie. The good news doesn’t stop there. Even though J-Lo turns up, she’s not the female lead, nor Affleck’s love interest. Forget the horror that was Gigli, this time around Ben is with Armageddon co-star Liv Tyler and there’s a fruity fizzle to their shenanigans that outshines anything from that outa space blockbuster. So all in all, apart from the odd clunky chunk of dialogue this really works. It also makes me eager for Smith’s nex project – the Green Hornet. Bring it on…! 4/5

Shebah Ronay – “Sugary Sweet Suprise Guy”

The shock of the year for me because I was convinced I’d hate this. With dopey Ben Affleck as a single dad and old flame J-Lo as his dead wife, it didn’t bode well. But suprise suprise, I was gripped because the script is so unexpectedly funny. OK, it’s a tad sugary, bu there’s a painful edge to the writing that keeps you hooked. What’s more believe it or not Affleck proves that he really can act. And with feeling. At no point do you doubt Ben’s desperation, his heartbreaking pain, his lasting love or his timely discoveries. I’m not sure what’s happened maybe Ben thought this wouldn’t be a hit and so sat back and relaxed for onc-but he’s damn good. However, the real key to this flick is the fabulous Liv Tyler, whose natural acting ability brings out the very best in Ben. She plays a bang-up-to-date 21st century woman out to convince widower Ollie to get back in the sex saddle as soon as possible…with her help. As you’d expect, the course of new love doesn’t run smooth, with some very funny results. But on top of the laughs, there’s a farther-daughter tale that’s adorable. And Raquel Castro as Getie is as cute as they come. Sadley, the film can’t resist goping a little soppy right at the end, but at least we were spare any spontaneous rounds of applause. A real winner…who’d have thought! 4/5