Jersey boys - 2014

As part of community service, me and a few friends are helping out with the school's media department film nights. As a part of this, we can stay and watch the film. Last night the film was 'Jersey boys' so here is my review of it...

This biopic drama follows the lives of the iconic band 'Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' and in particular Frankie himself (played by John Lloyd Young). This quartet give us a range of emotions from happiness to fear, as well as a really good tale of how they became what everybody loves (as well as some great music along the way). The band itself has four members in the film. These are Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio (played by Daniel Reichard), Tommy DeVito (played by Christian Hoff), and Nick Massi (played by Robert Spencer). The film starts when Frankie is only 16 and he is being helped out by his parents and Gyp DeCarlo (played by Christopher Walken) who can all hear the huge potential in his voice. As the film continues, we see the hidden personalities of the characters as well as the good or bad choices that they make. It was a brilliant film and I reccomend it. Here are a few reasons why...

One technique that was used in the film that I liked was the way that they broke the fourth wall and had people narrating to the camera just after, just before or even in the middle of a conversation. This is a very good way of getting the attention of the audience because it may make them feel like they have more information and are involved in the storyline as well as their beloved characters. 

Another thing that I enjoyed about the film was how it presented the relationships between families in the area around the time it happened. Luckily, we get to delve deeper into their lives than we may in other films, with most characters having a background story explained, shown or talked about. The main thing we learn is that friends and families stick together, like when Frankie takes on some serious debt from another member of the band. This shows that no matter how difficult matters may be, they have to support each other.

One thing that I did not like about the film was that the scenes appeared to just jump from one moment to another in some cases. This left me and a few other people feeling a little confused at some points such as when one minute someone has a beard and the next, a moustache?! Or when a marriage just seemed to happen. This and a few bits of obvious lip syncing were the only real problems with the film in my opinion.

The last thing that I have to mention is the music. The soundtrack to this film is rather phenomenal to many, as it contains all sorts of tunes from 'The Four Seasons' as well as a few others. The actors did a very good job of performing the correct dance moves and mannerisms to accompany their characters.

Overall, a fantastic movie, and I would reccomend it.

Director - Clint Eastwood

Writers - Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice

For cast, see - 

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt1742044/fullcredits/cast?ref_=m_tt_cl_sc