Jersey Boys

Like a copy of a copy of a copy, eventually even the best things fade upon repetition.  Take some great music of the 60s and 70s, check.  Layer a good story with the music and make a super successful Broadway musical, check.  Take the same stars from Broadway and make a movie.  ...Check.

Surprisingly, I have talked to people that didn't know Jersey Boys was a Broadway show.  It's a Sinatra-esque story of the tough Jersey kid with pipes of gold who escapes the Mob influence but never quite leaves it all behind.  Frankie Castilucci becomes Frankie Valli, and puts a band together with his buddies.  Things really take off when Bob Gaudio joins and the Four Seasons are born.  Hit after hit ensues, but their lives devolve into a Behind the Music story.  With our heroes survive and thrive?  Did I mention it was a Broadway show first of all?

Like many a good story, there are moments when you ask, Did that really happen like that?  Was Joe Pesci their good buddy?  How did they get the name the Four Seasons?  Was Gyp Di Carlo their mentor?  Could a handshake deal survive all those years?  That's a strength of the movie.  And if you can't believe that, you're not from Jersey.

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