Simply A Masterpiece

Redundant and unnecessary.

Boring

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Prior to watching "The Jersey Boys" - I had actually liked the music of The Four Seasons - But, now - (Thanks to Clint Eastwood's bungling, amateurish direction) - I hate The Four Seasons, big-time (and I hope that I never hear any of their songs ever again).Yep. This petty, snivelling "bio" picture clearly proves to me (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that, as a director, Clint Eastwood (who's now pushing 90) is nothing but a senile, old boob who seriously needs to retire, ASAP - (Like, hasn't this greedy bugger got enough money and fan-admiration to do him for the rest of his days?)From start to finish - "The Jersey Boys" (at an unbearable 2 hours/15 minutes) had such a noticeable slap/dash feel about it, that I swear they were making this nonsense up as they went along.P.S. - I really cringe and shudder to think of what incompetent movie-project that that clueless, doddering twit, Eastwood has planned next to foist onto the gullible movie-going public.

When I think of New Jersey -- I think Clint Eastwood. When I think of Italians -- I think Clint Eastwood. And when I think of rock and roll -- I think Clint Eastwood. Even with all the obvious handicaps, I was amazed at what an effective movie this was. I was expecting the actors to lip-synch to the actual Four Seasons classics, but instead they do all their own singing (and dancing.) The results aren't always spectacular, but they're always entertaining. I loved the way the movie didn't shy away from the darker side of the Four Seasons' story. ("I just buried a child, Jimmy. I don't want to sing another love song.") I was also pleasantly surprised that one of the key men behind the Four Seasons' musical success was openly gay and was treated with respect by both the screenplay and the other characters. Maybe the biggest surprise for me was how effectively Vincent Piazza adds humor and warmth to the tough as nails Italian gangster type he played so brilliantly for five years on HBO's BOARDWALK EMPIRE. My hand to God, this movie was the best rock and roll musical ever produced by Clint Eastwood -- especially the big song and dance number over the closing credits!

The stage production of "Jersey Boys" was highly entertaining because it was slick, well-written and full of humour but its sensational music and fascinating story is what made it a cut above most other jukebox musicals. The well-researched rags-to-riches tale of "The Four Seasons" not only provided an interesting account of the struggles, conflicts and personal problems that the group experienced but also threw a light on their links with the mob, their involvement in petty crime and their on-going respect for the values that they'd learned in the tough neighbourhood where they grew up.The action begins in the early 1950s in Belleville, New Jersey, where small-time hood Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza) recruits barber's son Frankie Castelluccio (John Lloyd Young) into his group, "The Variety Trio". DeVito's pop group plays local bars and also includes his brother Nicky (Johnny Cannizzaro) and his friend Nick Massi (Michael Lomenda). Frankie's exceptional falsetto voice is appreciated by everyone who sees the group (now called "The Four Lovers") and draws a particularly emotional reaction from local mobster Gyp DeCarlo (Christopher Walken) who's moved to tears by Frankie's rendition of "My Mother's Eyes".When Nicky leaves the group, Tommy's friend Joe Pesci (Joey Russo) recommends singer/songwriter Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen) as a replacement and Bob, who'd already had some success with his song "Short Shorts", is impressed by lead singer Frankie (who has, by this time, changed his surname to "Valli"). After a period of struggling to get a recording contract, the group (now known as "The Four Seasons") are signed by producer Bob Crewe (Mike Doyle) and have to go through a frustrating period of singing back-up for other artists before finally being able to make their debut single "Sherry" which became the first of three consecutive number one hits. A major problem arises, however, when it's revealed that Tommy owes a huge amount of money to notorious loan shark Norm Waxman (Donnie Kehr) and this heralds the eventual disintegration of the group.It was vital to the credibility of this movie to have performers who could properly replicate the highly distinctive sound of "The Four Seasons" and to this end, using original Broadway cast members (Lloyd Young, Lomenda and Bergen) was a great decision. They're all convincing in their roles and Christopher Walken was an inspired choice to play the sentimental mobster who provided the boys with some invaluable help when they hit a crisis. Vincent Piazza also adds a lot of spark to the proceedings as the self-destructive group-leader whose attitude to women and propensity to needlessly involve himself in crime are symptoms of his inability to outgrow the values he'd learned during his upbringing.The script by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (who wrote the Broadway production) sounds virtually identical to that used in the stage show, so it's puzzling why the impact of the comedy seems more muted and less effective in the movie. Similarly, the musical numbers don't carry the same excitement and energy as they did on stage.Even with the screen version's flaws, "Jersey Boys" still provides a lot of fun, enjoyable music and drama and the insight it provides into the inspiration for "Big Girls Don't Cry" and the role played by Joe Pesci in forming the group are really interesting (as is the artistic cross-pollination that saw Pesci's character in Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" being named Tommy DeVito).

JERSEY BOYS Film Review by Adam GonzalezIf your into 1960s Oldies Doo-Wop music then Jersey Boys is for you. Originally a Tony Award- winning Broadway hit, this musical biopic shows the rise to fame of the group the Four Seasons. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film stars John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli, Vincent Piazza as Tommy DeVito, Michael Lomenda as Nick Masdi and Erich Bergen as Bob Gaudio.From connections to the Italian Mafia to Joe Pesci introducing DeVito and Valli to Bob Gaudio, the movie follows the struggles and success of the group as told from the perspective of each band member. Throughout the film you get to experience the creation and performance of their numerous hit singles like "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Working My Way Back To You".The musician in me appreciates how the actors are also singers. They kept true to the Era and musical style of the original rock band. Clint Eastwood did a great job bringing this musical to the silver-screen. After watching this film, I've gained a new respect for the Four Seasons and look forward to one day seeing it live on Broadway.