Jersey Boys Film Review

Released: 2014

Director: Clint Eastwood

Producers: Clint Eastwood, Graham King, Robert Lorenz

Running time: 2 hrs 14 mins

Genre: Drama, Music, Biography

Budget: $40,000,000

Distributed By: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Film

Jersey Boys is a biographical film about the band and their rise to stardom. The film begins in 1951 in New Jersey with brothers Nick and Tommy singing as The Variety Two. When Tommy meets Frankie Castellucio they attempt a robbery. This leads to Tommy being imprisoned for 6 months, where Frankie is let off with a warning. Frankie admires the mobster Angelo 'Gyp' DeCarlo, played by Christopher Walken, so we see a lot of Gyp throughout the film and the problems they have with the mob.

After Tommy is released from prison, he gets back together with the group and adds Frankie as lead singer. The band are now called The Four Lovers. But after seeing a flashing neon sign in a car park, they decide to rename themselves The Four Seasons. After having a bit of bad luck with demo's, they soon gain success with the song Sherry.

The film tells the story of the bands success over the years and the hits they had. The film also tells us the problems they had with financial troubles with the mob and with personal problems within the band. Directed by Clint Eastwood, this is a fascinating insight into a band that has had many years of success. It gives the viewer a unique look at how the band was formed and the troubles they had along the way, both within the band and with personal family tragedies. In particular, it is sad to see Frankie having trouble at home with his ex-wife and his daughter turning to drugs.

The screen adaptation of the stage musical is, in my eyes, a masterpiece. The film relives the early days of the band and their formation, along with the many hits they had over the years Throughout the film you sometimes get dialogue from the band members informing the viewer of what is going on and telling the story of their lives. I liked the bit where they sang Sherry down the phone to the studio, and them knowing this would be the hit and rises them to stardom. What I find interesting is that throughout the film you get dialogue from each of the 4 members of the band. This gives snippets of life within the band and their personal take on their careers and thoughts. People of a certain age who were around in the 60's will certainly relate to this film, I think. But saying that, even the younger generation will enjoy this. There's plenty of songs in the film, including their well-known hits. It's certainly one of those feel good films.

There are 22 musical numbers throughout the film, so there are plenty of songs people will know to sing along to. It's great to see how the 4 men start out before they are famous, and transition into a famous band. The way they change their looks and outfits is amazing.

I've not seen the stage version of Jersey Boys, so can't compare the two. But I think this film is one that tells the story of the band well and clearly. I don't know much about Clint Eastwood as a director, but certainly think he's done an excellent job with this one. There is all the songs we know and love sang in the movie. With the boys starting out in petty crime moving on to one of the worlds greatest bands, this film gives us a unique insight into what it was like living the high life. Yes, there was struggles along the way - both professionally and personally. But the fact of the matter is the Jersey Boys made it to the top and had millions of fans all over the world. Would I recommend this film? Yes I would. It certainly gets 10/10 from me. Just a word of warning though, there is a bit of bad language during this film, just incase there are young people wanting to watch this.

"Oh What a Night" to Remember. Hit the streets with Clint Eastwood and the cast as they prepare for the grand finale.