I was recently reading some other critiques of the new movie, "Jersey Boys," directed by Clint Eastwood. Twice in the body of the reviews, I saw this expression.
"The Republican filmmaker."
Huh?
Can somebody please tell me what Clint Eastwood's political persuasion even remotely has to do with the success or failure of "Jersey Boys" as an entertainment event? Has this what America has come to? Because Eastwood had the audacity to make an appearance at the last Republican Convention and do that "empty chair" bit, his film work will be now judged accordingly? Has all his Oscar-caliber work now discounted because of the lever he pulls every November?
Welcome to America in 2014. Be careful what you believe in. If folks disagree with you, they might hate you for it. A country now controlled by extreme bickering from two sides of the aisle.
What the hell is wrong with this picture?
Lots.
Much more than what you can find wrong in his latest movie for what it was designed to be. The movie version of a very successful and crowd pleasing Broadway show about the Four Seasons. No, not the classical piece.
Indeed, whether Clint be a Republican, a Democrat, or a full-blown Marxist, he shows a lot of guts for trying to mount this production. It's almost a guaranteed recipe for failure. Whenever you do the movie version of anything, you're going to hear the usual comparisons.
"The book was better."
"The play was better."
"The movie was better." You usually hear that when a film is turned into a TV show.
Whatever the case, the odds are always against you. Especially when you have the rousing template of Broadway's "Jersey Boys." It's still selling out on the Great White Way. There are probably a thousand touring companies. It's been staged in Vegas, albeit in a ninety-minute version. Why? People who go to Las Vegas have very short attention spans. Also, the casinos don't want you wasting your time at a show when you could be plugging money into their slot machines.
But, I digress. Again.
I saw "Jersey Boys" in its first Los Angeles incarnation and found it to be a wildly energetic night at the theater. When I heard that it was being filmed, I wondered how it could translate successfully. Especially at the hands of Clint Eastwood. Admittedly, Eastwood is always adept at telling a story. But, what would he do with this? It could wind up as a Doo Wop version of "Unforgiven."
So, I can safely announce that...yes, the show is better than the movie. But, not by much.
On a screen, you certainly can't replicate the live-right-there-in-front-of-you-energy that you get on the stage. I mean, the theatrical production number where Frankie Valli first solos with that gaggle of horns is so dynamic that it just might be one of the most exciting moments I've ever spent in the theater. "Jersey Boys" on celluloid can't top that.
But it can try. And, with all the effort in front of and behind the camera, "Jersey Boys' on film does its best. And, as a result, it's the most worthwhile time you can spent in a movie theater this summer. There are no Transformers, special effects, and doomsday scenarios. There is simply a story about the rise and ultimate fall of one of the 60s most memorable musical groups. And that's more than enough to put a smile on my face.
Sure, you want the musical numbers to run a little longer. Yes, the film is about fifteen minutes too long, but that's a helluva lot better than most everything else which is 45 minutes too long. And, of course, you don't get the same power that you did on Broadway.
But, still, the almost 85-year-old Eastwood pulls it off. Because he's an expert filmmaker who knows a compelling story when he sees one. Coupled with the legendary hit sounds from the musical group, you really can't go wrong with anything "Jersey Boys."
Eastwood even makes the bold move of hiring veritable Hollywood unknowns to fill out the cast. Indeed, most are Broadway veterans, even though they are not household names. As a matter of fact, Clint even installs John Lloyd Young in the lead role of Frankie Valli. Who? Well, the guy originated the role on Broadway and won the damn Tony Award, that's who. So, he gets the courtesy that Angela Lansbury didn't get when they did the screen version of "Mame" and the courtesy that Carol Channing didn't get when they did the screen version of "Hello Dolly." Thank God we have been spared hearing "Rag Doll" as sung by Tom Cruise.
So, it works and, regardless of whether you saw it on stage or not, please put "Jersey Boys" on your summer movie going list. Frankly, as I look at the marquees on the local multiplex, it was the only thing on my summer movie going list.
LEN'S RATING: Three and a half stars.
Dinner last night: Tortellini and chicken meatballs.
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