“Jersey Boys”

Movie Review

Clint Eastwood produced and directed the 2014 American musical drama Jersey Boys, which is based on the same-named, 2004 Tony Award-winning jukebox musical. The Four Seasons' history is shown in the movie. Executive producers and founding members of the band Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio also wrote the music for the movie. In June 2014, Jersey Boys was made available to American audiences. Critics gave it mixed reviews, praising the musical moments but criticizing the story and length.

The Variety Trio, which consists of Tommy DeVito, his brother Nicky, and their mutual friend Nick Massi, plays in Belleville, New Jersey in 1951. He meets Frankie Castelluccio, a 16-year-old barber's son who is well-known in the area for his singing talent. Mobster Angelo "Gyp" DeCarlo, a member of the Genovese Family, respects Frankie and shows a particular interest in him.

The group makes an attempt to loot a safe one night, and the police subsequently apprehend them. Frankie receives a light punishment in court but Tommy receives a six-month jail term. After being freed, Tommy rejoins the band and names Frankie the lead vocalist. Frankie switches to Frankie Vally and eventually Frankie Valli as his professional names. At a performance, Mary Delgado captures Frankie's attention. They go out to supper together after which they become engaged.

After Nicky departs, the group—now known as "The Four Lovers"—is in need of a songwriter. Joe Pesci, Tommy's buddy, introduces him to Bob Gaudio, a great singer-songwriter, and extends an invitation for him to attend the group's performance. Gaudio accepts to join after hearing Valli's singing.

The band tries to get attention after recording multiple demos, but they are not very successful. Producer Bog Crewe signs them to a contract one day in New York City. But they soon discover that it simply enables them to provide backup vocals for other performers. According to Crewe, the ensemble does not yet have a recognizable look or sound. The group adopts the moniker "The Four Seasons," which was inspired by a bowling alley sign, and they perform a new song by Gaudio called "Sherry" for Crewe, who agrees to record it.

"Sherry" is followed by "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Walk Like a Man" in terms of commercial success. The loan shark for one of the other Five Families, gangster Norman Waxman, approaches Valli prior to a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show and asserts that Tommy owes him $150,000. When Waxman agrees to let the gang pay the bill, which turns out to be much greater, Frankie goes to DeCarlo. Until it is paid, Tommy must labor for the mob's buddies in Las Vegas. Nick also departs the group, displeased with Tommy's carelessness, lack of participation in group choices, and inability to ever visit his family.

Due to the band's frequent touring to pay off the debt, Gaudio takes over the role of sole songwriter and producer, and the group changes its name to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Valli hears from his ex-wife Mary that his drug-addicted daughter Francine has run away from home. When Valli sees his estranged daughter, he feels guilty about not being a better parent to her when she was a child. He also sets up Crewe to record a demo for her and Gaudio to teach her how to sing.

After a few years, the gang has successfully repaid Tommy's debt. But at the same time, there was word of Francine's drug overdose death. Mary and Frankie are both in mourning for their daughter. For Valli to perform, Gaudio writes a brand-new song—his first as a solo performer. Due to his ongoing grief, Frankie is initially apprehensive but finally accepts. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" becomes a popular song commercially.

The Four Seasons will soon be admitted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. For the first time in more than 20 years, the band performs "Rag Doll" live on stage. As each of the four guys addresses the crowd, the music ends. In an ironic twist, Tommy now works for Joe Pesci, an actor who later won an Oscar. Nick says he doesn't regret quitting the group and is happy to be spending time with his family. Frankie is still on the road promoting his solo career but longs for the times when he played with the other members. Bob moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to retire. Frankie claims that his favorite memory of the Four Seasons is from when they were still in the early stages of their success: "But four guys under a streetlamp, when it was all still ahead of us."

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