Posted on 07/10/2014 2:28:17 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
We saw Jersey Boys last night in our local movie theatre. It is the story of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons, a singing group of the 1960s, and their rise to fame. It is an adaptation of a stage play. The movie is directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, which is eyebrow raising in itself because it does not seem like a typical Eastwood topic.
I approached this movie with some trepidation because of the big, fat R after the title. Normally, I avoid R-rated movies; and I could not find out why it received this rating. However, the music sounded great in the trailers, and I was curious as to what a "Musical directed by Clint Eastwood" would be like.
It was great. We thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. The R rating was earned because of rough language, I'm sure. However, the language was no worse than what you might hear in any middle or high school today. I could handle that.
This movie is FILLED with music. I haven't been to a musical in ages, and this was the best of the genre. The music wasn't gratuitous. It was the story. The music business is a rough place, but there is something to be said for the honor of a "Jersey contract". You'll have to see the movie to find out what that means.
The story is fast paced and you hardly notice that it is 134 minutes long. In fact, nearly all of the people in the theatre stayed throughout the closing credits, just because of the score which had everyone tapping their toes.
Footnote: I don't know how these guys stayed out of jail...
Grew up on the Four Seasons. It was a great time to be an adolescent.
How do you do FOUR thumbs up? I can only do three.
Eastwood had a #1 hit on the country ( US and Canadian ) charts in 1980, “Bar Room Buddies” (with Merle Haggard) so his connection to music isn’t as far away as it seems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l0luZHf_yg
We count my husband’s thumbs + mine!
I did not know that. I noticed that there was a Kyle Eastwood in the credits. Relative?
BTW, that’s a great song. I’d never heard it before.
Glad to hear the good review. I thought the trailers were good. I’ll watch it when it comes out on DVD.
Thanks,
Glad to hear the good review. I thought the trailers were good. I’ll watch it when it comes out on DVD.
Thanks,
Clint’s son with Maggie Johnson who he was married to
from 1953–1984 ( divorced ).
It must have been opened up quite a bit - the show was a simple jukebox musical, although very popular.
It is awesome! We went the 2nd or 3rd day it was out as we really wanted to see it. The whole theater full of people sang along and as you said, stayed through the credits. We even bought the soundtrack for our iPod, something I haven’t done since probably 1990.
Kyle is his son. He also had a part in Grand Torino. He played the creep who was hassling the neighbor girl when Eastwood drove up in his pick-up and rescued her.
Did not know that. Thanks.
FYI...there is a group called “Oh What a Night” that puts on one of the BEST live shows we’ve ever seen. We caught then on Pride of America in Hawaii. Their website is ohwhatanighttribute.com. Their schedule is there, don’t miss them if they come close to you. Loved Jersey Boys, did you also notice Franky Valli was a co-producer? He is in his 80’s now. Came home and bought their greatest hits album.
Did not notice that. I was enjoying the music too much. We saw Frankie Valli live with the Milwaukee POPs about 15 years ago. It was a good show.
BTW, I didn’t even mention the costumes, which were perfect. Frankie’s daughter even carried a cowhide purse just like one I had in the late 1960s. I bought it from a street vendor in Berkeley.
Agreed. Excellent movie.
Great review, I can’t wait to see this movie. I’ve been trying to get hubby to go see it on Broadway for ages, but I think I’ll be able to drag him to the movie.
My wife and I absolutely loved it. Great movie. Stuff I never knew about their lives.
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