By Jeff Powalisz
Fans of Kevin Smith have long been accustomed to the writer/director’s offbeat style and original humor. From “Clerks” in 1994 to the hit “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” in 2001, it was a steady ride for Smith, a New Jersey native, who saw his legion of fans grow and his group of supportive actors and actresses (including Ben Affleck and Jason Lee) ride high with more fame.
Smith’s latest effort, “Jersey Girl,” starring Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, George Carlin, Jennifer Lopez and introducing Raquel Castro, is an escape into a genre longtime fans of his may not immediately connect with, but should certainly accept.
The dramatic portrayal of Affleck as a young widower, first finding it hard to raise a child without a wife, and then eventually connecting with the young girl (Castro), is a strong revelation of what Smith can do with his pen, and how he does not always need to settle for crude jokes to have success in the business.
“I started prepping fans for this one even before ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’,” Smith said in a Boston interview. “I fully expected to lose some cats, but at the same time sour some fans who haven’t seen any of my others. There was some fear and a little bit of excitement.”
Affleck is Ollie Trinke, a smooth Manhattan music publicist who has a beautiful, pregnant wife (Lopez), and a rich apartment in the heart of the city. However, tragedy strikes his life when he is suddenly a single father without a job.
He moves back to New Jersey to live with his father (Carlin), unemployed and not being able to give his young baby the attention she needs. Years pass, and he begins to accept his life for what it is. He meets a young video store clerk (Tyler), who, along with his father, steers him in the proper direction and allows him to put his life back in order.
Whether it’s the smile of his young daughter, or the love he has for his hometown, Ollie begins to see life in a better light and accepts himself for who he is.
Smith’s creative and entertaining writing style moves the movie along at an easy pace, while Affleck graces the screen with a strong blend of comedic and dramatic talent. Carlin takes the role of Affleck’s father and makes it a very heartfelt and believable one.
“Off the stage, George is not always looking for a laugh,” Smith said. “He really showed what he can do in this film.”
One of the best stories of the film is that of Castro, who at 7-years-old during the filming was the perfect fit for Smith’s direction.
“I got her through Avy Kaufman, a New York City casting director,” he said. “We had about 80 girls from the east and west coast and Raquel just gave a great read, and sounded like a seven-year old. Most seven-year olds have a bit of incredulousness and she had it.”
Tyler also made Smith’s life on the set easier, as she worked well with her important role as a guiding figure in Affleck’s post-married life.
“Liv came in and played her character in that geeky, awkward way,” said Smith. “She was quite amazing and really launched the character.”
As for Smith’s position on the film, it was a long, difficult write that began in 1999 but just may be the most gratifying work of his career thus far.
“I wanted to pull out the heart strings more in this one,” he said. “I think that is more gratifying than making the audience laugh. That is a lot harder to do in making them cry. Everyone wants to make that great captivating movie whether it is a personal one or mainstream. Each time up, I ask myself if I am that guy.”
“Jersey Girl” can be seen at Lowes Boston Common and Fenway Theaters now.
