Read Mixed User Reviews for Jersey Boys

6

cabales1Jun 21, 2014

I felt the picture was darker and more somber than I had anticipated. Eastwood is a master at period accuracy, and this movie showed his attention to detail. But the drama kept the movie moving at a slower pace, and the music scenes didn't pop.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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4

TVJerryJun 24, 2014

Usually, I don't compare a book or play to the movie adaptation, but in this case it's necessary. If you're expecting the hit brought to the big screen, you're in for a huge letdown. This dreary tale focuses on the unpleasant reality from theUsually, I don't compare a book or play to the movie adaptation, but in this case it's necessary. If you're expecting the hit brought to the big screen, you're in for a huge letdown. This dreary tale focuses on the unpleasant reality from the show without any of the life and fun that the music added. It chronicles the personal life behind The Four Seasons, but makes everyone unattractive and unlikable. They pose and argue like mini Sopranos without ever enjoying their success. Director Clint Eastwood has chosen equally harsh light and an ugly pallatte that makes the drama even more dreadful. To heap on the insult, their hits are often relegated to background music and that closing music video is just embarrassing.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

tropicAcesJun 21, 2014

The first 1/3 of the film almost felt like "Goodfellas", and I was really digging the tone (excuse the old saying). And of course all the scenes with the music were really well done and catchy. There were even a handful of clever laughsThe first 1/3 of the film almost felt like "Goodfellas", and I was really digging the tone (excuse the old saying). And of course all the scenes with the music were really well done and catchy. There were even a handful of clever laughs thrown in.

The film's biggest problem is maintaining a single tone throughout, especially in the final act. The tempo just hits a wall when it choses to focus more on Frankie than the band, and the enjoyment of the movie suffers because of it.

The movie is very well-made and 2/3 of it are good. But that other third is slow and borderline boring. Guess we get a little bit of both of Eastwood's directing signatures: when its good its good, but when its slow, oh boy is it slow.… Expand

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6

JTHOUSTONJun 21, 2014

Clint Eastwood makes great dramas - not musicals! This movie should be a feel good musical with a story weaved in. Instead, Mr Eastwood told a dramatic story (or tried to) and included the great Four Seasons music. Even with its flaws, IClint Eastwood makes great dramas - not musicals! This movie should be a feel good musical with a story weaved in. Instead, Mr Eastwood told a dramatic story (or tried to) and included the great Four Seasons music. Even with its flaws, I enjoyed every minute. It just could have been so much better!
(Remember "Grease?")… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

fantasyJun 22, 2014

Let me preface my review by telling you that the Broadway Musical Jersey Boys is one of my all time favorites. I have seen it a total of 12 times. Having said that I must report that it would be very tough to compare any movie to the actualLet me preface my review by telling you that the Broadway Musical Jersey Boys is one of my all time favorites. I have seen it a total of 12 times. Having said that I must report that it would be very tough to compare any movie to the actual Broadway show. Believe me I wanted to LOVE it. Unfortunately Director Clint Eastwood who I think the world of is absolutely clueless in directing this movie. Whereas the Broadway version captures the audience's attention in the first few minutes putting a smile on your face, the movie is dark, tedious, and very slow for the first hour or so. It just doesn't resonate with the viewer.. The second hour is somewhat better, but where the Broadway audience is taken on a joy ride, handing out standing ovations, while at the same time, crying with Frankie Valli on the death of his beloved daughter, this movie version just falls flat on its face. There is little or no character development. The fabulous songs of the Four Seasons are treated more or less like window dressing, nothing more. To be perfectly honest, the best part of the movie is when its over, the credits are rolling, and the cast is singing and dancing in the street. I would have loved to give Jersey Boys a perfect ten but it's impossible to do so. I recommend that when the touring company comes to your City, run don't walk, to see one of the best shows Broadway has ever produced. I'm sorry to say the movie does it no justice. Sorry.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

GreatMartinJun 20, 2014

“Jersey Boys”, the musical, has been playing on Broadway and around the world for over 9 years. Within the past two years it has played in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale to sell out crowds and today it has come out as a musical directed by“Jersey Boys”, the musical, has been playing on Broadway and around the world for over 9 years. Within the past two years it has played in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale to sell out crowds and today it has come out as a musical directed by Clint Eastward who is known as an actor, a man with a musical ear and has had fame as a director. If you can make it through the first hour or, even better, skip the first hour you will be rewarded with the second hour. Where the Broadway musical was a musical first, featuring the songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, in the film the music doesn’t take the spotlight until the credits. Up to that point we are shown bits and pieces of songs, their TV appearances, a couple of songs as the background for scenes.

The story is of a group of guys (or in the case of the Supremes and other female groups) from the 50s and 60s who come from the neighborhood, have 'overnight' success after paying their dues and then fall apart going their own way and one steps out into the spotlight having fame as a soloist. Tommy is the one who gets the group together, gambles, shorts the IRS, gets himself, and the rest of the group involved with the mob and though they never discuss it he breaks one of the three New Jersey 'rules', by hitting on Frankie's girlfriend.

We follow the Four Seasons with each member of the group, taking all the credit, telling you how they were responsible for their huge success of the act and, by combining, all the stories the audience gets a look behind the scenes of four guys from Jersey, their beginning and end.

Frankie Valli is played by John Lloyd Young, who starred in the role and won a Tony for his performance, does a good job in the singing department but doesn’t have the gravitas that the role needs on film. It could also be that Mr. Valli as an associate producer of the movie may have influenced the writers, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, who also wrote the Broadway show, to be ‘too good to be true’. Bob Gaudio, also an associate producer, played by Erich Bergen, and who wrote many of the hits for both the 4 Seasons and Valli and a solo performer, is the only one not born in the ‘hood and, it seems, the only virgin in the group!

While the film seems to focus on Valli, more than the other guys, it is Vincent Piazza as Tommy DeVito, who makes the biggest impact. Michael Lomenda as Nick Massi, who played the role on tour in Fort Lauderdale, has one telling scene that he puts over with feeling.

There are 3 other major roles one being Christopher Walken as a ‘Godfather’ type, who surprisingly is disappointing, Joseph Russo as real life Joe Pesci who does a good job and an outstanding Mike Doyle as gay record producer Bob Crewe who sends the boys on their path to stardom. The actresses are delegated to roles as wives, girlfriends and/or daughters, none really given the scenes to make them an important part of the film.

The film takes us from the beginning of the group until they are inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame and finally it becomes an all out musical.

“Jersey Boys” is a film for fans of Frankie Valli, The 4 Seasons and do-wop music who should make for a good return on the production.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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6

LynJul 5, 2014

The worst thing about "Jersey Boys," you already know if you've read bios of your favorite musicians, artists, actors: that the artistic endeavors that bring you such joy don't necessarily spring from joy on the part of their originators. SoThe worst thing about "Jersey Boys," you already know if you've read bios of your favorite musicians, artists, actors: that the artistic endeavors that bring you such joy don't necessarily spring from joy on the part of their originators. So as a fan from way back, I found the Four Seasons' backstories interesting and well-acted, if kind of sordid at times. Not quibbling with the approach of the film itself (except for the ripoff of the "Slumdog Millionaire" ending). But I would have loved more of the music -- and maybe more of the joy.… Expand