"Amusing, but insightul trip down memory lane"

Eliza Simon thinks the world spotlights only rock stars, especially those from the exciting eighties. However, trying to forge relationships with almost famous (at least in New Jersey) musicians always end up failing, as many of her boyfriends see her as a one hit wonder. How poor her record is hits home when she feels the noise of her sister's pregnancy and her best friend's engagement.

Eliza knows her latest relational flop hurts deeper than usual because those her age whom mean something to her seem so adult now. This time it is more than just a bad music interlude. She hides from everyone in a quest to reassess why only musical losers place her heart on fire while wondering if she needs to do a self-imposed Pygmalion.

GETTING OVER JACK WAGNER is a fun introspective look at a twenty something female wondering how she was left behind as her friends and family seem grown up to her. References to the eighties, including the General Hospital actor in the title, add nostalgia (hard to believe nostalgia over the eighties) to a charming tale. Though at times the audience will want to shout at the lead protagonist to get on with her life, fans will appreciate Elise Juska's amusing, but insightul trip down memory lane.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 12, 2003

Summary

Where are all the real rock stars? Eliza is looking to date a rock star -- though she uses the term loosely. None of her boyfriends have been famous. Most have unbearable habits and overbearing mothers. A few only played show tunes. Still, they're intense. Pierced. Tragically stubbled. With a predilection for dressing in black. Eliza finds them deep -- in theory, anyway. But in reality, none comes close to the object of her original rock-star crush: actor/crooner Jack Wagner. When her latest catch turns out be another mama's boy, Eliza begins to realize love is nothing like her favorite '80s song. Is she ready to face the music? Just as Eliza is planning her next move, she's dealt an emotional triple-whammy involving her sister, her best friend, and a horrific blind date. That's when she realizes that only by taking a good look at her past -- and her tape collection -- will she ever be able to hear a different kind of song and live a different kind of life.