DVD The Jazz Singer - 25th Anniversary Edition
Not much jazz spoken in this 1980 version of the Jolson classic, directed by Richard Fleischer (The Vikings) and starring a very tentative Neil Diamond as a cantor's son who would rather sing commercially than in a synagogue. The soundtrack is tedious, the portrait of L.A.'s music industry preposterous, and Diamond (despite his talents as a singer-songwriter in the real world) can't help but look like a speck on the wall in the presence of Laurence Olivier, who plays his father. --Tom Keogh |
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Review(s): DVD The Jazz Singer - 25th Anniversary Edition | |
| Ohhhh Baby, Baby, Ohhhh Baby Baby Now |  |
Fabulous movie, father and son relationship is so touching, it makes you cry if you are the sensitive type. As for the editorial written by Keough, he must be jealous. Critics have always been too quick to insult and degrade Mr. Diamond. Shame on them for their jealousy. Mr Diamond at 64 years old is still a heart throb to many many fans. Back to the movie, if you have never seen this movie, it is worth it for many reasons. Mr. Diamond's acting skills are as good as any acting I have ever seen. Mr. Olivier performance when he becomes re-united with his son (Neil Diamond) makes you just cry. Love it, love it. Glad they re-released it, many family members of mine look forward to receiving it. They have had to borrow my copy.
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| So awful, that's it's great |
Neil Diamond's film career began and ended with this hopeless turkey, which is an insult to the original play and the subsequent 1927 film with Jolson that changed the film business.
This was also a terribly shameful moment for the once-great Olivier. He made more of a fool of himself here than he did in THE BETSY...and that's saying something.
I know the video industry has absurdly abused anniversary editions, but no company has been more abusive and insulting than
LION'S GATE (once known as ARTISAN, and LIVE).
To celebrate a 25th anniversary of a horrendous film, shows how pathetic some people in Hollywood are just to make a buck.
For shame!
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| "Got nothing to lose,So you just sing the blues" | |
I have always been amused by the venom and hatred that movie critics have for this movie.Because Neil Diamond is a better actor then say,Bob Dylan.Or James Taylor.Or Barry Manilow.Or Neil Young.Or Paul Simon.All have starred in movies far worse.Movies that grossed far less then 27 million dollars(in 1980!).Movies that are long forgotten and wont be making their big DVD debut.The Jazz Singer is Neil Diamond's Purple Rain:Full of hits and concert footages between personal acting.
While this movie is a remake,It could be Diamond's story.The way an introverted Brooklyn songwriter becomes the outroverted,flashy stage presence in L.A.The way the character runs away from all his human relationships,opening up only in his music."I sing my songs of life,and they will keep me from ever wanting,from ever needing" Diamond sings in "Songs of Life" while trying to find himself.
But the best part of the movie is all the music.I especially love the versions of "Amazed and Confused" and "You Baby" Neil sings in a rock club.Much harder and better then the album versions.My favorite part of the movie is Neil showing a fake punk how to sing "Love on the Rocks".As soon as he opens his mouth,everyone is just moved by his bluesy,beautiful voice.And the punk guy fires him for being too good!
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