Oh, What a Night!
Mid-June 2014, this movie was everything I expected it to be; what a feeling, what a night. (For those of you non-Valli fans, ignore the butchered tribute to the Four Seasons.) I was particularly excited to see Jersey Boys because it was the first movie I had seen after watching the live musical version. My expectations were set fairly low. After all, everyone claims the blockbusters like Chicago and Les Misérables did not fully live up to their stage performances. Wow, did I just put Chicago and Les Mis in the same sentence together? Eh, too lazy to edit, just roll with me here.
Everyone knows at least one Frankie Valli song. Those who aren't familiar with classics such as "Sherry" and "Walk Like a Man" will certainly be familiar with either "Grease" or "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." But whether you are watching a stage performance or theatrical rendition of the story of the Four Seasons, it is important to keep in mind that Frankie Valli's golden pipes are simply irreplaceable. Some may come close, but it will just never happen, so get used to it. That said, John Lloyd Young does a pretty good job of keeping pace, certainly better than I can every other morning in the shower. Special gold stars also go to Vincent Piazza, Erich Bergen, and Mike Doyle for showcasing both the dramatic and humorous when needed throughout the film.
Obviously Christopher Walken gets his own paragraph. It never ceases to amaze me how someone like Walken can time and time again crop up in a movie and really bring the color and charisma to the forefront. Only (HA, only...) 71, I am always eager to see what Walken will do next. (By the way, definitely worth sticking around at the end for the cast sign-off dance scene. Just in case you need proof that Walken is a better dancer than you, make sure you also check out the Fatboy Slim video.)
As far as my expectations are concerned, they were surpassed, but only to an extent. I hate to be "that guy," but I really did enjoy the live performance better. There's something about all of the dialogue and interactions between a cast happening almost flawlessly in front of your very eyes; it is difficult to not be fascinated. Not that the film did a horrible job, it's just that there are certain elements that cannot be translated to the big screen. There is also, of course, the tricky bit of historical accuracy, which the stage production and film both fall victim to, but what's a true Hollywood film without some embellishment here and there?
The best parts of the film can be experienced when the boys are singing away or whenever Bob Crewe opens his mouth. A must-see for Vallians and septuagenarians everywhere.
Written June 23, 2014
Everyone knows at least one Frankie Valli song. Those who aren't familiar with classics such as "Sherry" and "Walk Like a Man" will certainly be familiar with either "Grease" or "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." But whether you are watching a stage performance or theatrical rendition of the story of the Four Seasons, it is important to keep in mind that Frankie Valli's golden pipes are simply irreplaceable. Some may come close, but it will just never happen, so get used to it. That said, John Lloyd Young does a pretty good job of keeping pace, certainly better than I can every other morning in the shower. Special gold stars also go to Vincent Piazza, Erich Bergen, and Mike Doyle for showcasing both the dramatic and humorous when needed throughout the film.
Obviously Christopher Walken gets his own paragraph. It never ceases to amaze me how someone like Walken can time and time again crop up in a movie and really bring the color and charisma to the forefront. Only (HA, only...) 71, I am always eager to see what Walken will do next. (By the way, definitely worth sticking around at the end for the cast sign-off dance scene. Just in case you need proof that Walken is a better dancer than you, make sure you also check out the Fatboy Slim video.)
As far as my expectations are concerned, they were surpassed, but only to an extent. I hate to be "that guy," but I really did enjoy the live performance better. There's something about all of the dialogue and interactions between a cast happening almost flawlessly in front of your very eyes; it is difficult to not be fascinated. Not that the film did a horrible job, it's just that there are certain elements that cannot be translated to the big screen. There is also, of course, the tricky bit of historical accuracy, which the stage production and film both fall victim to, but what's a true Hollywood film without some embellishment here and there?
The best parts of the film can be experienced when the boys are singing away or whenever Bob Crewe opens his mouth. A must-see for Vallians and septuagenarians everywhere.
Written June 23, 2014