Jersey Boys Review

I saw Jersey Boys on June 24, 2014!! I didn't know what to think of this being adapted to a movie with Clint Eastwood in the director's chair, but I was thoroughly impressed. The theater was packed, which was cool to see. I think Eastwood did a very good job with this. I liked that Tony award winner John Lloyd Young reprises his role as Frankie Valli for this movie. He does an incredible job in terms of making his voice sound similar to the real person. I'm a big fan of Bob Gaudio, because to me without him, there really isn't a Four Seasons. Erich Bergman was excellent in the role. He always makes the best points overall. Much like the play, they had the actors talk to the audience. You get different viewpoints on scenarios throughout the movie. Everybody portrayed what I felt their character was supposed to be like. Vincent Piazza was extremely entertaining as Tommy DeVito. He really had that goomba attitude down pat. We all loved his outbursts. While he's probably considered a villain in some ways, he really is the heart of the movie. Even though Frankie Valli may be the main character, a lot revolves around Tommy. A lot of people think that the Tommy DeVito in this movie is the same one Joe Pesci plays in Goodfellas. Interstingly enough, Joe Pesci actually was associated with the Four Seasons & maybe that's where the connection happened. Pesci actually plays a completely different Tommy DeVito-however, the similarities between them is really incredible. Let's face it-I'm sure Pesci borrowed some character traits from the Tommy DeVito he knew. You could see where that is possible throughout this movie. We follow the journey from their beginnings as a struggling musical act from tough streets in New Jersey to a popular musical act to a state of decline due to personal issues. Fame & fortune is great, but with it, there can always be consequences, especially when Tommy is in your group. There are so many great scenes that stem from debt problems caused by Tommy. The music was phenomenal-such an amazing job with the songs & sounds of a generation. Whether it was as a group performing Big Girls Don't Cry or Frankie singing Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You (absolutely love the big band element with this performance), each song was captured brilliantly on film. Much like a play, the theater clapped after songs were over. It was actually pretty cool.  You felt like you were in a play. I felt each of the performances were portrayed well. Every person had a great moment to shine. I loved the scene in the restaurant between Mary Delgado & Frankie. That was just smart dialogue mixed with some entertaining lines. I also like the relationship between Frankie & his daughter Francine. The scene in the café was well done between them. This movie has a great mix of music, old time mob/gangster movies, and family all stemming from the Garden State. I give this movie a 4/5 since its difficult to really adapt a musical to movie form and make it work, but I think everything seemed to click. The performances of the main actors was good, the music was excellent, and there are memorable scenes throughout.