Everybody's a critic - 'Jersey Girl'

Four stars (out of four)

"Jersey Girl" is a romantic comedy about Ollie Trinke (Ben Affleck) whose life has been spun around 180 degrees. Ollie's high-priced New York life changes when his wife (Jennifer Lopez) dies and he is left with a newborn baby. Unable to keep up, Trinke moves in with his father in New Jersey. It is here he learns to live and love again.

This is the movie that Kevin Smith has been waiting to make. It turned out to be a genuine movie with a great emotional hook that kept me on the line until the end.

The supporting cast, led by George Carlin, filled in the rest of the story's depth with good performances. Matt Damon and Jason Lee also were able to make a contribution to the movie. Even the soundtrack to this movie was well chosen and played. This was a clean, fun movie that can work for a date or for the whole family.

- Anson Rinesmith, Internet operations manager

Two stars (out of four)

"Jersey Girls" is a very nice way to spend an evening. It's a cute romance film with an odd dose of grief. The biggest surprise of the film is that neither Jennifer Lopez nor Ben Affleck is the star of this movie. That title goes instead to the two beautiful little girls who played infant Gertie and young Gertie, the daughter.

Ben Affleck's character, widower and new-dad Ollie, is introduced as a highly successful New York businessman, but after the death of his wife, he retreats to his New Jersey hometown. And, along with New York, he leaves success behind for the life of a suburban street-sweeper.

George Carlin is at his best as the cantankerous patriarch of the bereaved family. His greatest role in this tale of love and life is to teach a young father how to be a terrific dad.

There is romantic interest in this film, although the romance is weak and non-committal.

- Marty Koeller, wireless sales representative

Three stars (out of four)

For all the fans of Kevin Smith out there let me state that this is not a typical Kevin Smith movie. No Jay and Silent Bob, no "Star Wars" references.

That doesn't make this a bad movie. On the contrary, this movie was somewhat entertaining in its sugary sweet story line and mainstream Hollywood script. Smith still puts in his left-of-center wit, and (shock and gasp) Ben Affleck gives one of his better performances of late, playing a self-centered, stuck up, PR guy who, after a tragedy, moves back to Jersey with his little girl to live with his father played by George Carlin.

Liv Tyler plays Affleck's love interest later in the film and does a good job playing a kind of geeky, insecure, gorgeous girl.

Anyway, while I went in to this movie with reservations, it turned out to be better than expected. Grab a girl and go see it.

- Ryan Smith, student