Jersey Girl

Details

Jersey Girl, the honest, heart-felt and hilarious comedy is out to own on DVD 27th September 2004 from Walt Disney Home Entertainment. This unforgettable story from writer/director Kevin Smith (Chasing Amy, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) has it all - loveable, down to earth characters, offbeat, witty dialogue and a great soundtrack.

Jersey Girl follows Ollie Trinke (Affleck), a tough New York celebrity publicist, on his emotional journey through love and loss as he becomes torn between career aspirations and parental responsibilities. The story begins with tragedy when Ollie's wife dies during child birth. One breakdown and seven years later, living with his father (Carlin) in New Jersey and stuck in a dead-end job, Ollie still hankers to return to his glamorous lifestyle in the Big Apple with his beloved daughter Gertie.

However, things take an unexpected twist when Ollie strikes up a warm and flirty relationship with Maya (Tyler), the pretty girl from the video store who challenges his priorities and perspective on life. The audience are taken on an emotional roller-coaster ride from start to finish, accompanying Ollie through the depths of despair to unexpected happiness. Ollie's transformation from glamorous music PR in the city to family man in the suburbs is not an easy one for him - but the heart of the audience is warmed as we see a man who wanted it all but instead got all that he ever needed.

This charming film is spiced up by Kevin Smith's engaging blend of tenderness and cynicism that makes for an amusing, affecting tale. Ditching his trademark adolescent, rowdy fare, Smith's ode to parenthood, is a heartfelt exploration of family values and marks a new phase in his career. With a mix of adult humour, slapstick, Gertie's obsession with Broadway shows and cameos by Will Smith, Jason Lee and Matt Damon - the signs of Smith's authorship still shine through this wonderfully sweet comedy, making it a hit for anyone who believes in love.

The great cast of colourful characters is inspired by fantastic performances from Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting, Paycheck) and Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings trilogy). The pair have real on screen chemistry and make a charming and cheeky couple, with Liv perfect as Ben's kooky, sweet romantic interest. Newcomer Racquel Castro is adorable as the seven year old Jersey girl in question and George Carlin (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) is superb as the road sweeping, wise cracking father - it is a must own collision of fun, drama, laughter and tears!

Synopsis

Ollie Trinke (Affleck) is at the top of his game, a successful Manhattan music publicist who seems to have it all. When his perfect life is suddenly tragically upended - leaving him as a single father unqualified for the role - he snaps. Before long Ollie's big city life is a memory. Out of job and out of luck, he reluctantly moves in with his father (Carlin) back home to the New Jersey suburb where he was raised. It is the lowest point in his life.

The years pass and with them Ollie's plans for his future. Stuck in an unexciting, dead-end job, he sees no way out and no way back to the life he used to love. But he adores his young daughter Gertie (Castro) and she loves their life in the suburbs. To her, Jersey is paradise.

While renting Gertie's favourite movie for the hundredth time one day, Ollie meets Maya (Tyler), who challenges his perspective on his life. He begins to realise that sometimes you have to forget about who you thought you were, accept who you are and acknowledge what makes you happy.