Jersey Boys
Posted by Itheliving 11 years, 4 months ago to Movies
Jersey Boys / Rated R for language, smoking, and adult themes.
While a little long at 134 minutes, there is not any thing else about Jersey Boys that doesn’t say this is Clint Eastwood’s best film. It’s going to win all the Oscars. Go see it. Now.
For me the impact was a lot like my first time seeing The Godfather (1972). That was an expertly made story of an American family and all of their triumphs and tragedies. JB’s is like The Godfather but, without the brains being splattered all over the checkered table cloths at the pizza parlor. Instead of the violence, although it is occasionally implied and threatened, musical numbers are staged which are stunning. Most of the audience in the Saturday morning showing were older than I am. By quite a bit. Many were older than Clint Eastwood, now 84. By quite a bit. Like me they are the core group who remember the incredible hits rolled out by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons when they premiered.
This story is far more than just a group of guys getting together and finding success mostly because of a guy with an odd falsetto voice that was different than anything or anybody else on the market. Their story as shown spans 39 years. Where it ends is a part of the story and you will have to find out about it yourself. Incredibly they are all still alive and kicking except for a single member who passed away Christmas Eve 2000.
Starting in 1951 they were just a group of low grade criminals who were in and out of the local jail. Frankie was underage and got off easier than the others as their petty crimes were discovered and they paid the legal price. As they start to gel they add a new member who is the song writer who wrote all of their biggest original hits. The group goes through all kinds of heartache and problems that are the plague of a long life in American society. They earn money but one of their members has issues and ends up squandering most of it which puts them in a deep hole. This is where their cohesion as a group comes apart but Frankie shows his loyalty and resolves their problems while going on to triumph in the music world.
Clint E. has directed and staged what is surely his film masterpiece to date. It’s a beautiful look at the period of the 50’s and 60’s made with love and affection. The dark dramatic turns actually work well without dipping into soap opera. This is due to the incredible skills of the group of actors. They were not cast from the Hollywood All Stars. They were picked for their ability to do the job. Only Christopher Walken has a name you will recognize.
Based on a play, I had my doubts remembering the dreadful film version of Mama Mia! (2008). That was what happened when you bring in big names like Pierce Brosnan and tell him to sing. That is not what was done here. Jersey Boys has a tremendous emotional impact on the audience. I listened to their response while sharing them at the same time. Note; We were all old people. If you are a young person give it time and like us, you will be an old person. The film is for both of our groups.
Rated 4.0 out of 4.0 and if you add up 40 and 40 you get the age of Frankie Valli. Still going strong Sherry, Sherry Baby.
While a little long at 134 minutes, there is not any thing else about Jersey Boys that doesn’t say this is Clint Eastwood’s best film. It’s going to win all the Oscars. Go see it. Now.
For me the impact was a lot like my first time seeing The Godfather (1972). That was an expertly made story of an American family and all of their triumphs and tragedies. JB’s is like The Godfather but, without the brains being splattered all over the checkered table cloths at the pizza parlor. Instead of the violence, although it is occasionally implied and threatened, musical numbers are staged which are stunning. Most of the audience in the Saturday morning showing were older than I am. By quite a bit. Many were older than Clint Eastwood, now 84. By quite a bit. Like me they are the core group who remember the incredible hits rolled out by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons when they premiered.
This story is far more than just a group of guys getting together and finding success mostly because of a guy with an odd falsetto voice that was different than anything or anybody else on the market. Their story as shown spans 39 years. Where it ends is a part of the story and you will have to find out about it yourself. Incredibly they are all still alive and kicking except for a single member who passed away Christmas Eve 2000.
Starting in 1951 they were just a group of low grade criminals who were in and out of the local jail. Frankie was underage and got off easier than the others as their petty crimes were discovered and they paid the legal price. As they start to gel they add a new member who is the song writer who wrote all of their biggest original hits. The group goes through all kinds of heartache and problems that are the plague of a long life in American society. They earn money but one of their members has issues and ends up squandering most of it which puts them in a deep hole. This is where their cohesion as a group comes apart but Frankie shows his loyalty and resolves their problems while going on to triumph in the music world.
Clint E. has directed and staged what is surely his film masterpiece to date. It’s a beautiful look at the period of the 50’s and 60’s made with love and affection. The dark dramatic turns actually work well without dipping into soap opera. This is due to the incredible skills of the group of actors. They were not cast from the Hollywood All Stars. They were picked for their ability to do the job. Only Christopher Walken has a name you will recognize.
Based on a play, I had my doubts remembering the dreadful film version of Mama Mia! (2008). That was what happened when you bring in big names like Pierce Brosnan and tell him to sing. That is not what was done here. Jersey Boys has a tremendous emotional impact on the audience. I listened to their response while sharing them at the same time. Note; We were all old people. If you are a young person give it time and like us, you will be an old person. The film is for both of our groups.
Rated 4.0 out of 4.0 and if you add up 40 and 40 you get the age of Frankie Valli. Still going strong Sherry, Sherry Baby.
I remember when he made Monty Carlo, said that Spike Lee should keep his pie hole shut, then got snubbed by the Academy. Frankly...I think Clint doesn't fit the Hollywood mold enough to get the recognizition he deserves. But, I don't care. It's obvious to me and many others the guy's great at his craft.