Jersey Girl

In 1995, Oliver 'Ollie' Trinké, a well-established media publicist, marries Gertrude Steiney, a beautiful young Latina. Their relationship blossoms as they experience the joy and excitement of their new life together in New York City.

The couple's happiness takes a turn when Gertrude discovers she is pregnant. While Ollie is initially excited, his increasing focus on work begins to overshadow his support for Gertrude during her pregnancy.

On the day Gertrude goes into labor, Ollie struggles to detach himself from work. Tragically, during childbirth, Gertrude dies due to internal bleeding, leaving Ollie devastated and alone with their newborn daughter, Gertie.

Overcome with grief from Gertrude's death, Ollie immerses himself in his work and neglects his role as a father. His father, Bart, steps in to provide care for Gertie but can only do so for a limited time before returning to his own responsibilities.

During a press event, Ollie's frustrations boil over as he struggles with parenting. After a disastrous diaper change and Gertie's crying, he impulsively attacks his former client, Will Smith, resulting in Ollie's dismissal from his job.

In the aftermath of losing his job, Ollie relocates to New Jersey with Bart. As he grapples with his new living situation, he continues to neglect Gertie's needs while processing his grief.

Seven years later, in 2003, Ollie tries to reconnect with Gertie as she invites him to movie nights. Their bond grows stronger as they navigate their shared experiences and build a life together, albeit with Ollie's lingering struggles.

While enjoying a trip to a video store, Ollie and Gertie meet Maya, a lively clerk whose curious personality injects excitement into Ollie's otherwise dull life. This encounter marks a turning point in Ollie's journey to find joy beyond his burdens.

Ollie's experience as a civil servant rekindles his passion for public relations. He engages a local group for support on a public projects initiative, prompting him to reach out to Arthur, his former protégé, for a possible job opportunity.

Tension arises within the family when Ollie schedules a job interview on the same day as Gertie's talent show. This decision leads to a painful exchange of words between Ollie and Gertie, revealing their mounting frustrations.

Following their argument, Ollie and Gertie have a heartfelt reconciliation. Gertie expresses her feelings, and Ollie realizes the importance of supporting his daughter, leading to a renewed commitment to their relationship.

Just before the job interview, Ollie unexpectedly runs into Will Smith, who remains unaware of their troubled past. Their interaction serves as a catalyst for Ollie to reassess his priorities between work and family.

In a transformative moment, Ollie decides to skip the job opportunity to support Gertie's performance. He arrives just in time for her talent show, marking a pivotal choice in favor of his responsibilities as a father.

The film culminates in a celebratory gathering at a bar, where Ollie, Gertie, Bart, and Maya come together, hinting at a possible romantic connection between Ollie and Maya. They share laughter and reaffirm their commitment to each other as a family.

Ollie reflects on his journey and relays his newfound understanding that the love for his daughter surpasses any ambition he had for his career. He tells Gertie that being a father is his true talent, solidifying their emotional bond.