Wow. All I could do when I spoke to Kevin last night at the Jacob Burns Film Center screening was “Thank you.” I said it over and over and over. I loved this movie. I expected something good, but I didn’t expect this. For me this movie was just beautiful. Ben’s performance throughout the film just proves to me how great he can be given the right script.

I laughed and I cried. I did a lot of both. I cried a lot. A lot more than I expected I would. At the point of the movie that I thought I’d be most jaded about, given my feelings toward J-Lo, I bawled like a baby. Ollie’s reaction to his wife’s death was so moving, that I couldn’t help but cry. I wasn’t the only one in the darkened theater either. I cried when Ollie starts to talk to baby Gertie.

But I laughed a lot. I still can’t get the image of Jason Lee’s head out of my mind. I died laughing during that scene. Ah, how I love the combination of Smith, Lee, Affleck and Damon.

What really made this movie for me, was the arguement between Ollie and Gertie over moving to NYC. Ugly things were shouted to hurt the other. When Ollie uttered his words “I hate you too you little….” I flashed back to when I was 7 and hearing words similar coming from my father. Yes, sadly, I can relate to the incident in the movie all to well.

Kevin has grown up. This movie is not for those fans who only love the stoner dialogue and dick & fart jokes. This movie is for those fans who appreciated “Chasing Amy” and want to see a “grown up” movie.

Standing outside in the cold at 11:30 last night (well it wasn’t that cold, but Jen was so cold she went in the truck). Being able to talk to him and tell him how much I like the movie. Of course, I couldn’t get out all I wanted to say, because I was just so damn happy to be standing next to my idol. The man that has inspired me for years, who one day, I hope to be able to show a piece of my writing and say “see, you helped me do that” and get that patented Kev smile.

Kevin, as always, was witty during the Q&A session. I had the privelege to speak to Jen outside as well. I tell everyone the reason why I am such a fan of Kevin and Jen is because they are so down to earth and kind to their fans.

I’m telling everyone I know to go see Jersey Girl when it opens. I know I will be going back.

So, last night was “the big one”, many of us have waiting almost 2 years to catch a glimpse of our little “Jersey Girl”, and my experience was worth the wait!

Jersey Girl and it’s creator encompass everything that celebrity and a night at the movies should be!

I once again had the pleasure and privilege to meet Kevin Smith after the screening. If every actor/director/writer in Hollywood was like Mr. Smith, the world would be a better place (not to mention we’d have a SHITLOAD more dick and fart jokes to go around)

We were politely asked to “hang around” the film center for a while because Kevin had dinner plans with Janet Maslin (NY Times Critic) and “Maz was buyin’ ”

Ok, so maybe the guy doesn’t eat as fast as he thinks he does, or maybe he just eats a lot MORE food, at a much faster rate, but in any event, a faithful crowd of 37 (I kid you not) waited for around an hour and a half for Kevin’s return.

Amidst the picture taking, the autographing signing, and the general conversation that Mr. Smith’s fans have come to know and love from him, (hell, he even brought his own black marker!) stood Mrs. Jennifer Schwalbach-Smith.

As she braved the cold New Jersey night, well past 1am, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the dedication and support that they clearly show one another. Mrs. Smith was as always, happy to talk about her man and his movie, with such care and excitement. This is genuine love, not some pre-fabricated media marriage or “power couple”. It is EXACTLY that same love that carries Jersey Girl, and will hopefully carry it on it’s way to all the success it deserves.

I began this story with the intention of offering a “review” of Jersey Girl, but ya know what? There will be TONS of reviews, and it’s a safe bet that if your reading this, your probably headed to the theater no matter what. Yes, I saw Jersey Girl last night and YES it was fantastic, but it was the bond between a husband and wife that really affected me. A bond between a father and his family AND a bond between a FILMMAKER and his FANS.

Thank you Kevin, Jen, Janet Maslin and the wonderful members of the Jacob Burns Film Center, you have made a View Askew fan’s dreams come true.

Kevin is the coolest guy in the world with a 90210 ringtone on his cell phone!