Posted by eternal at h-68-167-204-1.snfccasy.dynamic.covad.net on March 28, 2004 at 19:32:19:
In Reply to: Theater Reports, please posted by Kevin on March 28, 2004 at 09:54:40:
Kevin, I've never posted here before, cause I'm a disassociated voyeur who, if actually brought up an opinion, would quickly become distracted and would probably end up talking about the migratory flight patterns of penguins. But I've read and watched your stuff since day one. And I have to say, thanks man. Dude, in all your work, in everything that you've done, you've been honest about it. Jersey Girl is no different. I fucking love this movie. So did everyone else in the audience here in San Francisco (at least the time and show I went to). Dude you should have seen it. When Ollie goes off on his daughter, you could hear a collective gasp from the audience (particularly the women, though I'm no stranger to gasping myself, mine was more of a "Oh Fuck"). The 'show me yours I'll show you mine' scene with the kids, my mom couldn't help but laugh. When his wife dies, dude I got choked up, fucking Ben pulling off that scene like the man. The end of the musical play, the audience clapping, you don't hear that anymore, haven't heard that during a movie since Yoda came around that corner and busted out his saber. And of course the round of applause at the end. Dude this movie was all around wholesome as fuck. I came out with my 20 year old cousin and my 47 year old mom, just completely thrilled and happy about the flick.
And dude, not that I have to say it, but fuck the naysayers. As a writer/director myself, I've had to put up with that shit, of course not as much as you have. I was reading some interview you were giving to that dude at newsweek, him saying, "It felt cliched, and it slipped into sentimentality." Dude fuck that... you know, I can list off the top of my head the sentimental films, that one can consider cliche... PARENTHOOD, GRAND CANYON, STAND BY ME, ROYAL TENENBAUMS. All these films dealing with the family, the conflict within, and the resolution of said conflict. I love each and every one of these films (though other may not), and are held in real high regards for me. Jersey Girl is right up there. The idea is timeless. The story has been told time and time again. But like you said, "...But you haven't seen my version." And that's what makes it different, alive, and unique. This film is far from cliched. This film made me think of my future kid, of my wife (who's overseas right now), my own life as a filmmaker, when I'm up all night writing, when (eventually) I go out and shoot a film spending months away from the ones I love. The things we have to do, and the things we want to do. This is no cliche man, this is life. And that story can never be told enough.
Oh, and Harry Knowles over at AICN, he started his review saying, "The film also is lacking in tops to tails Star Wars references..." Did he not notice the "Punch It Chewie" line from Raquel, or the classic "Mr. Reynolds" reference? Guess not... And Kevin man, Raquel, talk about a heart stealer. I don't know how you could get on set every day and not smile at the sweet kid's face. She was amazing, that little girl has got a huge future ahead of her.
Anyway, before I actually do get into why penguins have filght migrations yet don't fly. Let me just say, great movie man, loved it. Congrats and luck on Green Hornet, I am so looking forward to that.
later,
Americo