Just About Decent!

Rating: 6/10 (7 November 2014)

Clint Eastwood, The Greatest Star-Actor/Director of all-time, has given us some remarkable films to follow. But with 'Jersey Boys', he offers a rather standard musical biopic, that's just about decent!
'Jersey Boys' is the story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey, who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.
The musical moments in 'Jersey Boys' are powerful, no seconds thoughts on that. But, the Writing, is lackluster. After an energetic first-hour, the film loses pace & overstays its welcome by at least 20-minutes. The Screenplay by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elic aims high, but loses air mid-way. Eastwood's Direction is atmospheric. But he's done better. Cinematography & Art Design are excellent. Editing is anything but sharp.
The Performances range from good to average. I was particularly impressed by Christopher Walken's winning turn as late Angelo DeCarlo. He's rugged & dominating. Of the boys, John Lloyd Young stands out.
On the whole, 'Jersey Boys' is ambitious, but flawed too.