Jersey Boys [DVD] [2014]

A good attempt by the great Clint Eastwood to make a drama about the iconic 60's group The Four Seasons. In my view it didn't work all the way ---- this should really have been produced as a musical and it would have won hands down.Instead there is shown a lot of the problems that the group suffered including the personal problems that beset them on and off stage, something like the old Presley films that tried to portray Presley as a singer who could act in some mindless plot set in some exotic location. Far better had they kept the subject matter focused on the songs.I loved this film, enjoyed the songs despite Frankie Valli sounding like a canard at times, and the end credits with the iconic 'What a Night' was spectacular and had us off our seats.It would have worked better for me had the focus stayed on the music, like the hugely successful stage musical --- the key word is musical and this was a drama with a bit of music added. One star deducted Sir Clint.English subtitles, plus plenty of bonus features.

Amazing film. Having seen the show in London (twice), New York and Las Vegas and loved every second I was very excited at the film release. I have been disappointed by the critics comparing this film to the likes of Mamma Mia. Mamma Mia etc are stories using the songs of music greats. The Jersey Boys is based on the true story of the rise and fall of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Which means to learn the background the film can't always be musical. It was a fantastic film and seeing the group age and live real lives was brilliant. Pre ordered already before I even saw the film. I was born in the seventies so don't remember the time they were around and when I went to the cinema too see it there were some a lot younger than me and I expected them to just be noisy all through but they were silent and enjoying the film and music.

Although it appears to aspire to be an upbeat biopic of the Four Seasons' ascendence to fame, this film is an odd mix of choppy well-set scenes and actors whose rapid dialogue deliverance is not distinct enough to always hold attention, causing one to sometimes lose track of the big events leading to their worldwide renown. For certain, the placing of time is believable, the décor detailed and carefully done, it just also seems the arty theme of music and the more tamer songs of the era are not expressed in the way that would be more pleasing if the proper artists.

My wife and I saw the stage show at the August Wilson theatre in New York a year last September and were totally blown away. We both agreed that it was the best show that we had ever seen and believed that to be because it was in their 'backyard', We therefore didn't want to tarnish that experience by seeing it elsewhere and it was with a lot of trepidation that we went to the cinema to see this movie. I'm glad to say that Clint Eastwood didn't let us down, this movie is brilliant and a true interpretation of the stage show. We were joined at the cinema by a couple of friends who aren't, or should I say weren't, fans of this genre. They also agreed that it was a very good movie. Whether you've seen the show or not or aren't fans of FV and the 4S the story of these guys alone is strong enough to carry the movie. I will certainly be purchasing this dvd as a Xmas pressie for the wife.

The Jersey Boys is a curious step for the legend that is Clint Eastwood. More known for gruff anti heroes and challenging dramas as well as the odd comedy, this represents a shift in tone and feeling.The first half of this story of how the Four Seasons came to be is brisk and fun and often feel good with some great toe tapping tunes and funny moments. However once the film gets bogged down in the happenings behind the scenes the pace drops and things never really recover.Eastwood isn't known for flashy directing, he is normally pretty straight down the line but there is something remarkably flat about Jersey Boys. It never seems to really embrace its era and feels a little soulless. The story is told through various to camera narrations which jar you out of the film on a fairly frequent basis particularly towards the latter part of the film.This is often a problem with stage musicals being brought to the silver screen. They can feel stagey. Whilst Jersey Boys tends to avoid this on the whole there are times where it all feels a bit cardboard like and it is hard to really invest in the band. It's a positive that the film doesn't shy away from the troubles the band had internally but it never seems to pick up the pace again once it starts down that route.That said the songs are great and that's really what you are here for. Performed brilliantly by a cast who, by now, know these roles inside out. From a purely indulgent point of view it would have been nice to see a couple more full performances but then the film would have been running for hours trying to fit it all in.All in all it an enjoyable if forgettable film. Quite unremarkable really but inoffensive.