Eastwood takes a relaxed drive down turnpike in ‘Jersey Boys’

  • By Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic
  • Wednesday, June 18, 2014 4:02pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

They didn’t have a member die in a plane crash or drug overdose, so the backstage saga of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons mostly remained out of the public eye. Until, of course, the 2005 Broadway smash “Jersey Boys,” a still-running musical that revealed a few genuinely colorful tales lurking in the backstory of the falsetto-driven vocal group.

That property comes to the screen under the calm guidance of director Clint Eastwood — and while more of a jazz man himself, Eastwood appears to have responded to the late ‘50s/early ‘60s period and the ironies beneath this success story.

Turns out the original members of the Four Seasons emerged from a milieu not far removed from the wiseguy world of “GoodFellas,” a comparison that becomes delightfully concrete in one of the story’s revelations. In the case of self-appointed group leader Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza, from “Boardwalk Empire”), the mob connections are deep and troublesome, including the protection of local godfather Christopher Walken.

The movie presents Frankie Valli (John Lloyd Young, a veteran of the stage show) as a much straighter arrow, but even he understands the value of having friends in the right places. (The other Seasons are played by Erich Bergen and Michael Lomenda.)

It would seem natural to apply a little Scorsese-like juice to this story, but Eastwood goes the other way: the film exudes a droll humor about all this, as though there really isn’t too much to get excited about.

This applies even to the music, including the amusing re-creations of “American Bandstand” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” during their clean-scrubbed heyday (“Sherry” gave the boys their first No. 1 in 1962).

Most of the characters speak in awe of Valli’s voice (Walken has a great moment getting teary-eyed at one of teenage Frankie’s maudlin ballads); the sheer oddness of his amazing caterwaul isn’t much remarked upon. Although Young is an engaging actor — his New Jersey slouch is expert — his singing can’t match the force of Valli’s octave-scampering range, so high-pitched hits such as “Rag Doll” and “Walk Like a Man” lose a bit of oomph.

Despite some third-act blandness, “Jersey Boys” is quite likable overall. Eastwood’s personality comes through in the film’s relaxed portrait of the virtues of hard work and the value of a handshake agreement. This may be the least neurotic musical biopic ever made.

“Jersey Boys” (3 stars)

The Broadway tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons comes to the screen in a very relaxed version directed by Clint Eastwood. The saga has some mob connections, but is otherwise a non-neurotic slice of late ‘50s/early ‘60s pop-music life, with the group’s falsetto-driven songs at the center.

Rating: R, for language

Showing: Alderwood mall, Cinebarre, Everett Stadium, Galaxy Monroe, Stanwood Cinemas, Oak Tree, Pacific Place, Woodinville, Cascade Mall

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

The Moonlight Swing Orchestra will play classic sounds of the Big Band Era on April 21 in Everett. (submitted photo)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Relive the Big Band Era at the Port Gardner Music Society’s final concert of the season in Everett.

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD (Honda)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD

Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge… Continue reading

Would you want to give something as elaborate as this a name as mundane as “bread box”? A French Provincial piece practically demands the French name panetiere.
A panetiere isn’t your modern bread box. It’s a treasure of French culture

This elaborately carved French antique may be old, but it’s still capable of keeping its leavened contents perfectly fresh.

(Judy Newton / Great Plant Picks)
Great Plant Pick: Mouse plant

What: Arisarum proboscideum, also known as mouse plant, is an herbaceous woodland… Continue reading

Bright green Japanese maple leaves are illuminated by spring sunlight. (Getty Images)
Confessions of a ‘plantophile’: I’m a bit of a junky for Japanese maples

In fact, my addiction to these glorious, all-season specimens seems to be contagious. Fortunately, there’s no known cure.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Hyundai)
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited

The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a sporty, all-electric, all-wheel drive sedan that will quickly win your heart.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T hybrid’s face has the twin red lines signifying the brand’s focus on performance. (Dodge)
2024 Hornet R/T is first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge

The all-new compact SUV travels 32 miles on pure electric power, and up to 360 miles in hybrid mode.

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.