Review of Jersey Boys (2014) by Craig T — 23 Jun 2014

The Jersey Boys is the big screen adaptation of the hit musical about The Four Seasons, directed by Clint Eastwood of all people.

Charting the raga to riches, rise and fall of the band, including band tensions, family tragedies and dealings with the mob, it nonetheless manages to keep the tension low. At the peak of their fame they don't seem particularly big and threats from loan sharks may accurately be described as "scenes containing mild peril.".

Bit for what it is, a bit of nostalgic fun, it is perfectly fine, inoffensive and safe.

The origins as a musical are clear to see. It is very clean and sanitised. The group member who is "driven to drink" doesn't seem to have more than two drinks more than everyone else.

The guys look like they were taken right off the stage, but are prefectly adequate. Though the guy playing Joe Peschi (yeah, that Joe Peschi) is just grating, though that might be because the character is a wimp.

It is also too long. At 2 hours 15 minutes, it could do with losing 20 minutes or so.

In the end this is a piece of fluff and I hope Clint Eastwood gets back to making some better films.