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Actually, there are other responses to Kevin Smith films. Several critics give Smith's way of filmmaking a mixed review. Personally, I find myself conflicted over each film Smith produces. I admire the basic moral lessons his stories offer. In this film, he wears his heart on his sleeve so boldly that he's being accused of "selling out" and "sentimentalism." In spite of the excessive sex talk and the lapses into sap, I found myself won over by his characters and his convictions. But I do hope he eventually learns that he can hold our attention by telling stories about characters with a more mature and responsible view of sexuality. (My full review is at Looking Closer.)

Phil Boatwright (Movie Reporter) says the movie is "funny, with several touching moments, but often crude and profane."

Tom Neven (Plugged In) says, "Jersey Girl could have been a great movie. Many of its lessons are positive. Marriage is important. Being a good parent is important. Respecting your parents is important. Loyalty is important. Sex is only for marriage. Regrettably, Smith forgot one other important lesson: be consistent in what you communicate."

Annabelle Robertson (Crosswalk) offers many unsupported assumptions and her review devolves into a character assassination of Smith: "If this is the best that this Jersey boy can do, he can fuhgeddaboutit. It would appear that his lifestyle has warped his brain so much that he doesn't even know how to make a decent movie anymore. There is help, Kevin. But until you get it, don't try to pass this kind of perversion off as a good film."

She also asserts that Smith "doesn't like Christianity." That's an interesting claim, since Dogma was Smith's attempt to present—albeit in the form of a satire—his convictions about faith. Smith has spoken out against certain aspects of organized religion that he finds unfulfilling, but to say he "doesn't like Christianity" seems a bit of an overstatement.

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A Warm & Fuzzy Kevin Smith?	Printer view
Well, not quite. But the normally crass writer/director toned it down for Jersey Girl, where the young father wears his heart on his sleeve.