From director Clint Eastwood, comes "Jersey Boys", a toe-tapping musical, based on the highly popular stage show. Written by Scott Gentry.

"Jersey Boys" (15)
Directed by: Clint Eastwood.
Starring: Vincent Piazza, John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda and Christopher Walken.
Rated: 15 for containing strong language, sex and drug references, and infrequent violence.  
Running time: 134 minutes.
Out now in UK cinemas.
Official movie site: 
www.jerseyboysmovie.net 

Clint Eastwood has directed a large amount of films in the past five years, but the trouble is, they haven't always been of a particularly high standard. It's arguable that Eastwood's "Gran Torino" (2008) was his finest accomplishment in years, providing large amounts of awards nominations and the realisation that Eastwood was still in the game, but what has come of him since? 

The group finds it's voice, in the form
 of Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen), in a still
from "Jersey Boys".  

He has unfortunately resorted to making passion projects such as "Hereafter" (2010) and "J.Edgar" (2011), which weren't particularly well received. However, he has returned to directing with "Jersey boys", a film which follows the story of four young men from New Jersey who due to their friendship, were constantly on the wrong side of the law, causing trouble and mischief wherever they went. However, after departing from their criminal ways, came together, in order to form the iconic 1960's rock band, "The Four Seasons", propelling themselves into fame and fortune. 

Based upon Eastwood's infatuation with Jazz music, it seemed as though "Jersey Boys" was the perfect project for him to take on next, but unfortunately this isn't quite the case. After all, a musical is meant to be focussed on the music, but it seems that the screenwriters Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, are more focussed on the narrative instead of the music, but when the music does begin, it's not hard to fall for toe-tapping tunes such as "Walk Like A Man" , "Sherry" and “My Eyes Adored You”. The music itself is infectious, but it would have suited the film better if perhaps, there could have been a little more.

Led by Frankie Valli's (John Lloyd Young) powerful falsetto voice ,
the group flourish into fully-fledged rock stars,
in a still from "Jersey Boys". 

It also seems that many of the elements which may work extremely well on stage don't exactly translate smoothly, across onto the screen. For example, at many times during the film, the main characters may begin monologues whilst in song or mid-conversation (the screenwriter Brickman was perhaps using his influence of Woody Allen's writing? After all, he did co-write films such as "Annie Hall", in which Allen constantly addresses the audience) to the audience, which is fine in many instances, but the breaking of the fourth wall eventually becomes tiresome, by the end of the film's two hour and fourteen minute running time. 

As the film attempts to increase its gangster sub-plot, it decides to try and make itself into a dark and cautionary tale reminiscent of "Goodfellas", but it doesn't quite work, leaving the viewer dissatisfied in that respect. But it isn't just the monologues and gangster sub-plots which become slightly irritating; it seems that the dialogue between the characters is perhaps a little thin and is not of a particularly high standard, but the main cast (mainly made up from the cast of the original stage production) are all fairly enjoyable to watch and provide decent performances with an unusually weak script. 

It's John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli however, who manages to create a good screen presence among his fellow actors. Christopher Walken also appears as Gyp DeCarlo, in a role as a mobster who helped the group out of difficult times, but is ultimately wasted and unappreciated. The running time is also something of a problem, as it seems as though the editing process didn't exactly happen as it was perhaps expected, leaving numerous scenes feeling as though they could have been cut from the film entirely.

The group rehearse, in a still from "Jersey Boys". 

The costumes, sets and various other items of the 60's aesthetic are all here, providing the audience with the feeling of being invited into the 60's, along with subtle references to certain stars of that time period. Eastwood's direction and Tom Stern’s cinematography is also appreciated, as visually, the film is quite stunning, nailing their desired style in many ways, including shots of the performances and recording sessions.

But, as the film attempts to stretch out its gangster surroundings, it decides to try and make itself into a dark and cautionary tale reminiscent of "Goodfellas", but it doesn't quite work, leaving the viewer dissatisfied in that respect. The running time is also something of a problem, as it seems as though the editing process didn't exactly happen as it was perhaps expected, leaving numerous scenes feeling as though they could have been cut from the film entirely.

Verdict

"Jersey Boys" is neither ambitious nor is it quite the film it desires to be; it’s a film which is exciting in many places, but is ultimately a slightly disappointing piece from a talented group of individuals.  

5.5 Stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry

Film Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.