Review: Jersey Boys

Certainly the most spirited portion of Clint Eastwood's film adaptation of the 2005 Broadway musical Jersey Boys comes right before the end credits. The entire cast and crew - including Christopher Walken who, in his handful of scenes, hijacks the entire production - sing and dance through encores of "Sherry" and "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" on what appears to be a studio backlot. Had the film followed in this vein, its multiple missteps would be easier to forgive.

The rags-to-riches tale charts the ups and downs of Frankie Valli (John Lloyd Young) and the Four Seasons: from their beginnings running wild on the streets of Belleville, New Jersey to their success as Valli's falsetto and Bob Gaudio's (Erich Bergen) songs propel them to stardom. Along the way, the film depicts the group's slow implosion as the group's de facto manager Tommy DeVito (Boardwalk Empire's Vincent Piazza) finds his control challenged by Valli, Gaudio and Nick Massi (Michael Lomenda); their eventual anger at DeVito as the group is forced to constantly tour to pay off his debt to a loan shark; and the dissolution of Valli's marriage and his attempts to save his daughter from her personal demons.

Eastwood retains perhaps too much of the source material: the straight-to-camera narration as each member takes turns telling their side of the story is a particular irritation. We can easily see and understand what is going on and, considering the songs serve as additional emphasis and punctuation, there is no need for the ongoing commentary. The actors - all of whom, with the exception of Piazza, reprise their roles from various productions of the musical - fail to adjust the pitch of their performances. Everything feels too big and verging on the cartoonish. Even when they have no dialogue, their faces are still mugging.

Yes, the musical interludes are a welcome respite from all the screeching, but they're not enough to save the film from being static and limp. Best go buy the soundtrack.

Jersey Boys

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Written by: Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice; adapted from their book of the musical

Starring: John Lloyd Young, Vincent Piazza, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Christopher Walken, Mike Doyle