Breaking from his signature slacker-underdog films like CLERKS, MALLRATS, and CHASING AMY, Kevin Smith delivers the feel-good family movie JERSEY GIRL. While Smith's pert one-liners and wryly ironic sense of humour are clearly present in the script, his casting choices (Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck) and glossy aesthetic identify the film as a mainstream Hollywood crowd-pleaser. Affleck stars as Ollie, a powerful entertainment executive with a perfect wife (Lopez) and a beautiful Manhattan apartment. But when his wife dies in childbirth and his career fizzles to a halt, he humbly gives up his fast-paced Manhattan lifestyle for the benefit of his daughter Gurtie (Raquel Castro), who is 7 years old for the majority of the film. He moves to New Jersey to live with his father (George Carlin), finds a new romantic interest (Liv Tyler), and learns some lessons about what's important in life. A subplot about Will Smith keeps a string of Hollywood insider jokes and quick cameos (Matt Damon) running throughout the film, while a school play modeled after "Sweeney Todd" lends itself to some funny theatrical moments. An emotive pop soundtrack features music by Aimee Mann in addition to a handful of well-timed entries that help move the plot along ("Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" plays as Ollie sheepishly drives across the river from Manhattan to Jersey), rounding out JERSEY GIRL as a likeable comedy. Parents beware, Smith may have curbed his edginess for this one, but foul language abounds.

A kind but workaholic husband, Ollie, finds his life thrown into turmoil when his wife dies during child birth. As his depression spirals down into the realms of a mental breakdown he loses his job and it is through his surviving daughter, Gertie and through the challenge of fatherhood that he must learn to rebuild his life. As he slowly learns to function again he meets Maya (Liv Tyler), also a single parent, and although he feels it is too soon for him to take romantic steps forward, the two form a cohesive bond of mutual support. In this mature departure from writer and director Kevin Smith's previous outing 'Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back' he returns to the themes of love and loss touched on in his third feature 'Chasing Amy'. Ben Affleck plays Ollie Trinkie.