Review of Jersey Boys (2014) by Foxgrove — 20 Jun 2014

It takes a fair while but eventually this bio-pic based on the better stage show about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons manages to hit most of the right notes. However, it does take nearly a full hour for the film to even begin to find its feet and for the first hit, Sherry, to be sung. Then two more songs quickly follow (Big Girls Don't Cry and Walk Like a Man) within a time frame of 15 minutes. From here on in the film starts to come alive and the second half presents a much more cohesive and digestible movie.

The opening hour is full of caricature and every cornball cliché in the bio-pic book and makes for tedious, even irritating viewing. This is compounded by an annoying performance from Vincent Piazza as bad boy Tommy, who thankfully all but disappears from the last act. The actors portraying the other band members fare much better. Michael Lomenda is best at delivering the direct to camera monologues, a device which generally adds nothing beyond its gimmicky intent. Erich Bergen stands out as song writer Bobby and John Lloyd Young, after a bit of a struggle, manages to get to grips with Frankie Valli.

Despite seeming to possess all the right credentials to make the film soar, it has to be said that Clint Eastwood's direction is for the most part both listless and uninspired. The cinematography is flat and the colour palette washed out, especially in the first half. Other production values seem strangely muted for a period piece. There is perfect precision though, in one lengthy but excellent scene revolving around money issues, which also signals the end for the group.

The last scene over the final credits demonstrates what the film could have technically done better. This sequence is cut well and finally we have some colour and pizzazz in a musical number. Before this, competence alone has reigned supreme leaving the songs themselves to elevate proceedings. Let's face it the film should be all about those songs. Here it's just a shame that the vehicle showcasing them is not firing on all cylinders.