Review of Jersey Boys (2014) by Ben B — 07 Jul 2014

As a fan of the stage version, I was excited about the prospect of a film adaptation. I thought it could really work well. Then as the release date neared, I realized that critics were not enjoying it as much as I would want them to.

Granted, critics are generally not as kind to movie musicals, but there was still a sense that Jersey Boys could use its gritty and somewhat true source material to win them over. After seeing it recently, I can understand the hesitation with this film.

I commend Director Clint Eastwood for staying true to the popular stage musical, but what he did not realize soon enough is that the stage aesthetic does not always translate into the movie aesthetic.

Les Miserables recently displayed the necessary scale and pacing necessary to enjoy a movie musical. Jersey Boys does not do this enough and you're left thinking it would have been better to simply listen to a greatest hits album.

I must give props to John Lloyd Young, the Tony Award winning actor of the Broadway stage version, for his vocal talent and his commitment to the role. When no one else could shine, he did.