Directed by: Clint Eastwood Written by: Marshall Brickman
Cast: John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen , Michael Lomenda , Vincent Piazza , Christopher Walken , Mike Doyle , Renée Marino , Erica Piccininni
Let me throw out a few song titles, “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like a Man,” “Working My Way Back to You”, and “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.”
I’m sure you not only remember hearing these cool up-tempo tunes that set a generation of baby-boomers and their children moving, but I’d be willing to bet you could sing the lyrics right along with them. They are all iconic songs from the popular ’60s singing group known as The Four Seasons, and its star front man, soprano Frankie Valli.
For the past few years, this group has been immortalized on the Broadway stage, and across the globe, in the smash musical hit “Jersey Boys.” Now, thanks to the wonderful talents of director Clint Eastwood, it comes to the big screen as a flashy musical filled with human drama, great singing, and the story of the lives that hid behind the face of the legendary singing group.
Here’s the storyline:
In the 1960s, four guys from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey have the choice of two life paths; one, a life of crime, probably with the mob, or the other, find fame singing. For the youngest, Frankie Valli (Tony award winner, John Lloyd Young) and his buddy/guardian angel Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza), singer/songwriter Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen), and vocalist Nick Massi (Michael Lomenda), the life of crime was just too difficult and getting caught became a ritual. So music was the thing, and one night under a street lamp while harmonizing, the magic combination that created their “sound” occurs and it eventually propels them into the spotlight. Soon the talented quartet finds itself on top of the billboard charts. Unfortunately, they can’t get out of their own way or the values of the street where they came from, and that eventually threatens to break the group apart.
For a Jukebox Musical, this one’s right up there with the best. It’s at once nostalgic, highly entertaining, has really great music performed to perfection by a terrific young cast, and it foregoes some of the dance numbers associated with the stage musical for more depth of character.
You have to hand it to Eastwood, with 92 award nominations and 139 awards, he has earned the right to do anything he wants and in choosing to bring “Jersey Boys” to the screen in such a dynamic manner, it just shows how really versatile he’s become as a director, far outshining his already sterling acting career. Furthermore, his choice to use the performers he did is brilliant all the way around, everyone is just great in every role, with extra kudos to Christopher Walken as the laid back mob boss in love with Valli’s voice.
So, my take, if you’re up for a film that brings spontaneous applause from the audience after each musical number, this is the film for you. Be a part of that audience and see it on the big screen!
