Ben From Brisbane @BenFromBrisbane 12m
Hi folks, I'm taking a break from
@Mornings9 this wk, I shall return next wk. My review of
#JerseyBoys is on Facebook 'Ben from Brisbane'
Hi folks, just letting you know that I'm taking a break from
MORNINGS this week, but will return next week! I thought I'd share my opinion on 'Jersey Boys' for those who are interested...
First of all I wouldn't call this film a musical! Not in the purist sense, where characters in film just burst out into song, think 'Oliver', 'Easter Parade', 'Calamity Jane' etc. Instead this is your usual bio pic, which is great, as I love that genre. 'La Bamba' remains one of my favourite films! It's your usual rags to riches story, & we all know where its headed. Take note that the film begins in 1951, & 'The Blob' is referenced (starring Steve, then Steven McQueen), however that film didn't come out until the late 50's... I know, cause I love it!
Clint Eastwood is one of my all time favourite actors & directors! Keep your eye out for a very quirky cameo... Not quite sure why he chose this material though. I assume maybe because he began his career as a musician... The best thing Eastwood did was insist on using the original broadway cast. SO many successful musicals, never retain those actors when making the transition to film, as the big studios insist on 'stars'. Who here remembers 'Mame', the Tony Award winning musical starring Angela Lansbury? When it came to making the film, they cast Lucille Ball, even though Lansbury had won a Tony for that role...
I never forget the disappointment of seeing the film 'Chicago' (which was a huge success), where I'd been very attached to the broadway show & soundtrack. I just felt the actors weren't up to the songs, & it just didn't feel the same. I have the same problems when my favourite novels are turned into films. There's a book by Vikas Swarup entitled 'Q and A', that would go on to be made into 'Slumdog Millionaire'! Still to this day, I think I'm the only person on the face of the earth, that hated the movie...
Whenever you make a broadway show into a film (think 'Nine'), you'll always have those who say it's not the same! Having not been fortunate enough to see the stage show, I didn't have this problem, but many people at the screening did. The film fleshes out the story more, & is a little darker in tone, but still fun. A real problem for me was that Frankie Valli was one of the executive producers, is it any wonder he comes off really well in this movie? Maybe I'm just cynical...
Overall I really enjoyed the film, & the two plus hours went quickly. It also helps that I love the music, how could you not?! With the cinemas currently being saturated by comic book films, & rubbish American comedies, this a great toe tapping change - 3 out of 4 popcorns
Allison @allis_020
tim dormer @timdormer 17m
Anthony Drew @drewanthony88 13m
Ryan Buckingham @ryan_buckingham 
Tully Smyth @tee_smyth 4m
JackieG @JackieGilliesTV 1m
