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Jersey Boys on the big screen

Jersey Boys is about the trials and triumph of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
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Jersey Boys is about the trials and triumph of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Jersey Boys is about the trials and triumph of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

This film adaptation of the musical Jersey Boys is directed by none other than Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood directing a musical? Now that’s interesting! The veteran actor and director known for starring in wild spaghetti Westerns and action films as well as directing films such as Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino now takes on the classic story of the Jersey Boys.

The film tells the story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey, USA, who came together to form the iconic 1960s singing sensation, The Four Seasons. The story of their trials and triumphs are accompanied by classic hits including “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man”.

Behind the music there is a story
Behind the music there is a story

Stage to Screen

Starring in the film, John Lloyd Young reprises his Tony Award-winning portrayal on stage of the legendary lead singer of The Four Seasons, Frankie Valli. Erich Bergen stars as Bob Gaudio, who wrote or co-wrote all of the group’s biggest hits.

Michael Lomenda and Vincent Piazza star respectively as Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito, two of the original members of The Four Seasons. One to keep an eye out for is veteran actor and Oscar-winner Christopher Walken as mobster Gyp DeCarlo.

Eastwood, who also produced the film, said, “I have always loved the music of The Four Seasons, so I knew it would be fun to revisit that but what mainly interested me was how these semi-juvenile delinquents, who didn’t grow up under the best of circumstances, made it big.”

He added, “They were living on the periphery of the mob, pulling off petty crimes and what have you. Some had even done jail time. Then the music came and pulled them out.

It gave them something to strive for.”

This is the kind of story that has tugged at heartstrings around the globe. Of course, it helped that The Four Seasons had catchy hit songs.

Happy, Catchy Tunes

The production also travelled to New Jersey to capture some exterior shots, including on the very street and in the very home where Frankie Valli grew up. There, the filmmakers and crew stood back as John Lloyd Young and the real Frankie Valli took a moment to sit together on the stoop of that house to reflect on the journey of four guys from Jersey who left an indelible mark on musical history.

Said Eastwood, “I know audiences will come out of the theatre humming the songs and that’s great. But I also hope they enjoy learning the story of where those songs come from and remembering the four young men whose legacy is still being felt today.”

If you loved the stage musical, you’ll love the film. Either way the hits of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will get you grooving and bring a smile to your face.

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Jersey Boys [NC16]

Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Christopher Walken, John Lloyd Young & Erich Bergen
Genre: Musical, Drama
Run Length: 134 min
Release: 17 Jul

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