December 2001
This is Jennifer on the set of Gigli, a movie that was so universally reviled that the poor director hasn't worked since. You can see why Ben might have developed an interest in her, as she looks extremely badass and sexy...
... but it is a greater mystery why she might have been attracted to him, given that he looks like kind a total goober in this one. But, you know, they claim they didn't start dating until she was clear of her marriage, so maybe that is why...
April 2002
... Ben pivoted to THIS hair. This hair is attempting to say, "Jennifer, I am a very YOUNG, very FOLLICULAR non-goober," but what it actually says is, "I'm a whole different kind of goober."
April 2002
Here, Jen was still married -- only for another two months; unsurprisingly, Wikipedia, Master of Nuance, did not get granular about whether she and Cris were emotionally separated at this time -- and Ben and Nicole are here at the opening of Jennifer's restaurant, Madre. Yes, Jennifer had a restaurant. (No, it does not not still exist; it closed in 2008.) I'm not saying anyone knew anything, or that there was even anything to know, but Nicole is eyeballing these two fools like, "Um, you DO know I can see through you...?"
Oct 2002
This is one of the shoot days for Jenny From The Block. They're crossing the street to the restaurant, Barefoot, where they shot a scene of her getting out of a car and then them eating on the patio and her crying about something. Fun fact: I had my wedding rehearsal dinner at the upstairs space of this restaurant. NOT BECAUSE OF BENNIFER. Ben looks like such a miserable Hollywood dudebro slickster in this shot...
Oct 2002
... that I had to download another, apparently? At least they're happier in this one. Keep your gum in your damn mouth, though, Ben. Sheesh.
Oct 2002
"Hmm, this note here says that The Block was not impressed with my yacht."
Nov 2002
Here they are leaving TRL, with Jennifer looking basically immaculate -- much of their relationship involved good winter coats -- and Ben looking like he woke up on the wrong side of the nightclub.
Dec 2002
This is the Maid in Manhattan premiere. Jennifer looked SO good in that movie. One of its sartorial centerpieces is a gorgeous white D&G (one of the designers in 2002 that had guaranteed global name recognition as being Hella Fancy) winter coat. Dang, she looked good in that bad movie, which, parenthetically, STARS EVERYONE. Tucci! Hoskins! Sedaris! Natasha Richardson! The kid from Teen Wolf! And Ralph Fiennes, looking like he has no idea why he's there! Brilliant. Anyway, Ben is a little cleaned up here and looks nice enough, but she is already clearly The Star.
January 2003
I want that poncho for this winter.
February 2003
Here, we have the premiere of Daredevil, the movie on whose set he met his future wife Jennifer Garner. (She broke up with Scott Foley right after this, and then dated Michael Vartan before she and Ben hooked up in mid-2004. Who knows if this was ever messy at all, or if it just SEEMS like it must have been.) Ben looks sort of shell-shocked and Jennifer looks like her dress wants to slide down.
Feb 2003
I am not sure why I downloaded this photo. Wait, yes I am, it's because Affleck looks amusingly doofy in it.
I kept thinking someone had censored his tie, but it's just that she's holding a very tiny black... wristlet? It IS tiny.
March 2003
This was long enough ago that I honestly sometimes can't even believe it happened. They have both been through SO MANY gossip cycles since then.
Ben, it's not a great look to be staring off in another direction when your beloved is giving you a peck.
March 2003
Better.
March 2003
A few days later, they ate at the Ivy, and then left to a barrage of autograph requests. I would have looked like this, too. It's a very "WUH???" expression. Although when you're at The Ivy, where paps used to camp out, surely you expect this. I bet by this time they were both getting exhausted.
I mean, she looks for all the world like she's TRYING to smile but would really just like to get into her car without any stranger danger.
May 2003
I am SO DELIGHTED by this, though. It was Lakers vs. Spurs, and you bet I looked this up: It was a playoff game the Lakers won by four points to tie the series. I assume Ben is cringing because he's a Celtics bro and they don't generally root for the Lakers, and I love that J.Lo appears not to give a shit who he wants to win because SHE is going for the home team that gave them the seats.
I also appreciate and admire that Jennifer eats the stadium nachos.
July 2003
This dress is not one of her best. Neither was the movie: This was the premiere of Gigli. His face looks like he knows what's coming.
July 2003
Aw, they're in Vancouver here. This whole scenario is so deliciously 2003, from the rise of her jeans to the tightness and shortness of the tank, to his pants.
Oct 2003
This is all about her hair and her necklace. They had at this point postponed the wedding and are apparently trying to put a game face on it and work it out and such.
Oct 2003
Jennifer LOVES a nice white coat. I don't get the hose and ivory ballet-style heels, but honestly, when I cast my mind back over the perplexing things she's worn in her career, those don't even make the list.
Oct 2003
This was the ALCS; the Yankees won this game and eventually the series, so Ben's joy was short-lived. I assume Jennifer was more of a Yankees girl, being from The Block, and is thinking, "Someday, maybe around 2019, I will attend these games with a damn Yankee."
Oct 2003
"Do you see the goatee? Yes. You see it. He has a chin vagina."
December 2003
We are near the end. Neither one of these people looks like they are THAT stoked to be seen with each other, and her top looks like it was designed to ward off sweat stains.
"Ben is back there somewhere. No, I will not be taking questions. Yes, okay, you can ask me why my coat is so fantastic, and the answer is: ME."
Dec 2003
This is the last shot we have; the end is nigh. He's basically yanking her through snowbanks and she's probably cursing under her breath. The grand experiment, Bennifer 1.0, is ending its run.