Jersey Boys

9 May 2016

Jersey Boys 2014

• Director: Clint Eastwood
• Based on book: no
• Cast: Christopher Walken, Vincent Piazza, John Lloyd Young, Michael Lamenda, Erich Bergen
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Christopher Walken – Romance and Cigarettes, Catch Me If You Can, Sleepy Hollow, Blast from the Past, Suicide Kings, Pulp Fiction, True Romance, Batman Returns, Sarah Plain and Tall, The Deer Hunter
• Vincent Piazza – The Sopranos
• Why? London nostalgia
• Seen:  5 May 2016      

       A couple of years ago we saw this musical on stage in London for the only reason that it was available on a day and at a time when we could. I was never a Four Seasons fan, especially after the Beatles arrived, but they’re part of history. And the musical? Well, musical in London = fantastic no matter what.

       Thus the movie. Christopher Walken is a plus. But you know what? I really don’t like the 50’s. Or mafia movies. Half an hour in it’s a bad Sopranos wannabe with bad music. In spite of all the tough-guy macho talk it lacks the edgy sharpness of the London musical.

       After a draggy first hour of this gang being small town nobodies they whiz their way through fame and fortune right into their downfall. It gets dramatic at times but never gripping. I just can’t care about these guys.

In London the cast had us on our feet, dancing and singing the songs, loving them and forgetting that we were never Four Seasons fans. The film…well, Christopher Walken is always good.

Some musical films live up to their stage counterparts. Sadly, this one doesn’t.

2 ½ * of 5