Who knew Clint Eastwood's take on a Broadway musical would turn out to be one of 2014's best films?
Jersey Boys feels a lot like a Goodfellas musical. The story chronicles the life and music of Frankie Valli and his music group The Four Seasons. Valli (John Lloyd Young), Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen), Nick Massi (Michael Lomenda) and Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza) each narrate a different stage in the band's career together - from their come-up in a rough New Jersey neighborhood to their ties with the mafia to their eventual fall from grace - in a fourth-wall shattering style that audiences should recognize from House of Cards.
To drill down the feeling of authenticity, Eastwood elected to use mostly stage actors who were already familiar with their roles. Fans of Boardwalk Empire might recognize Piazza but otherwise, Christopher Walken is the only familiar screen actor in the whole production.
The music is fun, the production design is solid and the story is engaging throughout. Don't miss out on the summer's best film so far.
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