Affleck recovers reputation in new Kevin Smith movie

Jersey Girl stars Ben Affleck as Ollie Trinke, a New York PR guru whose wife, Gertrude (Jennifer Lopez), dies giving birth to their daughter Gertie (Racquel Castro).

With the help of his father Bart (George Carlin) Ollie tries to raise the child while continuing his busy work schedule.

He soon realises fatherhood is a full-time job in itself and he has to make a choice between his child and his career.

Ollie is helped along the way by local video shop assistant Maya (Liv Tyler) who is more than willing to lend a helping hand.

The on-screen chemistry between Tyler and Affleck is powerful and helps to gloss over the film’s somewhat cheesy plot.

We’ve all seen the workaholic father finding out what’s really important in life storyline before, so Jersey Girl isn’t the kind of film to tack the brain.

But it’s done with enough comedy and style to make it an entertaining hour and a half. It also goes a long way to repair the damage done to Affleck’s career by the awful Gigli.

Comedy, 15. ***