Hey folks, Harry here... here's a long in coming set report on JERSEY GIRL, the next Kevin Smith movie - a film that is set to move Kevin in a new direction. Now the film is mostly complete, I've heard from the voices out there that the film is Kevin's best, that Affleck is remarkable and in his best form yet and that the movie is gorgeous due to Vilmos' stunning cinematography. Sounds good to me, the only problem I see, is I'm not seeing it right now! Here ya go...
Hi Harry,
huge fan of the site, first time i have something to contribute. I've been sitting on this one for a while, but i think its time to file this report for all the Kevin Smith fans. I was fortunate enough to spend a few days on the set of the upcoming Kevin Smith pic (the first not of the Jay and Silent Bob series) Jersey Girl.
The film stars Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and an adorable little girl (the Jersey Girl in question) Raquel Castro. It also stars George Carlin, Mike Starr, Stephen Root, and of course elven princess, Liv Tyler (who by the is done no justice by film, i was blown away by how beautiful she was in person).
the majority of filming went on in Philly and south jersey, where the scene in question was shot at Paulsboro high school. There is a picture of Betty Aberlin of Mister Rogers fame as the school teacher on the newsaskew site here Click Here.
The scene i saw filmed over three days in October. One of the final scenes of the film, everyone i listed above was there for all three days, except for J.Lo, who only made a split second appearance on the third to the delight of the over five hundred extras. J.Lo was not however in the scene at all. In fact, according to a small tow-headed boy in the extras crowd(whose father served as an assistant director type of guy on the film) told me that J.lo isn't in very much of the movie at all. I repeat, this is not a J.Lo movie. The impression i got was that J.Lo in fact dies (probably in childbirth) early in the movie, although this is just speculation.
now onto the scene. I am not going to give too much away as the running joke in the scene is very funny, and will definitely be spoiled if you know its going to happen. But the premise of the scene is this: a parent-student talent show/pageant type thing. At this point the jersey girl (Affleck's daughter in the film) is about seven. all of the acts that precede her's are conformist to say the least, but little Gertie Trinke is not afraid to take risks in her performance, with a little help from the likes of George Carlin (grandpa trinke), liv tyler, mike starr and stephen root.
there were two things that struck me most about my experience on the set. One: Raquel Castro. what a presence! that little girl commands the attention of everyone around her (when the camera is rolling AND when it isn't). Now im not going to make any predictions, but this little girl could be the biggest child star since Haley Joel (What have you done for me since AI) Osmet. And with a late fall release, look for an oscar push for this film.
the second thing that really struck me was the cinematographer: Vilmos Zsigmond. This guy has got his shit together. Im serious, he got what he wanted with every shot, and if he didn't, they did it over until Vilmos was happy. he seemed very confident in everything he did, every shot choice and camera placement. every lighting change, he had to have it all perfect. look for this to be the best Kevin smith film (at least visually).
I think that this is a very courageous step in a good direction for a talented film maker. It will be unlike anything you've ever seen from Kevin smith (almost no cursing! Affleck whispered shit in the scene i saw), a PG 13 rating (most likely) and a family oriented plot. It seemed like Kevin was working very hard to expand his versatility on this one. So if you're looking for dick and fart jokes this ain't the film to see, but if you're looking for a talented director pushing at least his personal limits on film, i think this will a very rewarding film. In the end it will be the film that people argue which was better: jersey girl or chasing amy.
well you've got Affleck in both, but at least it aint armaggedon.
hopefully not my last words to you,
BooH
