Rating: 
Summary: A great vehicle for Neil Diamond
Review: OK, so this second remake of the Al Jolson classic is implausible! Furthermore, Laurence Olivier plays a Yiddish accented cantor of all things! Nonetheless, this movie is highly entertaining if you are a Neil Diamond fan. The soundtrack is great (even though inexpicably it got nominated for no oscars) and the story, though sappy, is fun. OK, I admit it ... it's more than sappy ... it's down right corny! Diamond is a cantor who breaks both family tradition and his marriage to go off to LA to become a songwriter/pop star. He makes it big quickly and falls in love with a non Jewish producer (Lucy Arnez). Papa finds out and exclaims "I have no son" as he rends his clothing in mourning. Look, I have no illusions ... if you are not a Neil Diamond fan, this flick is two stars. If you dig Diamond like I do, it's five stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Fantstic, Original and fanstasic muisic
Review: Jesse Robins (Rabinowits) Neil Diamond plays the son of Rabbi, and wanting so much to have his only son follow in his foot steps but Jesse has other dreams and ideas. He is a wonderful singer and wants to write music, and is being smothered by his father makes for strained relationships. The father played by Sir Lawrence Oliver is outstanding, and Neil Diamond gives it the extra tense and scared view. Jesse is called to Hollywood by some friends where he meets Luci Arnez who is a talent rep. she starts helping him and although Jesse is married, he starts to fall in love with her, and stays in Hollywood, when the father goes to see where he lives, and finds Luci Arnez, and as Jesse tries to explain the situation, it just causes more strain on their relationship. This is a wonderful story line, it is believeable, the struggle to find your way is always on the edge, and to find meaning to one's life. Neil Diamond does a fabulous first time acting job, and the music that was written for this movie is outstand; Hello, Love On The Rocks, America and more.
Rating: 
Summary: Luci Arnaz- remove this from your resume
Review: Ugh. Poor plot development and cardboard characters. For example, he loves his wife sooooo much and discards her sooooo easily? Not likely. Lucie Arnaz, a wonderful personality and normally "good" actress is a cartoon character. Who could fall in love with Neil Diamond with all his angst and schmaltzy whining? Not I, that's for sure.
Rating: 
Summary: Diamond's Music, Olivier's Presence, OH MAMMY!
Review: This review refers to the VHS(1989 paramount) edition of this film....
At the 1927-1928 (First) Academy Awards Presentation "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolsen picked up a special award for pioneering the "Talkies". Obviously sound has come alooooong way since then and this 1980 modern day remake makes good use of it.
Jess Robinovitch(Neil Diamond)is a 5th generation Jewish cantor,tied to his role in the temple in the lower east side of New York. . His voice is phenominal(of course),he writes his own music, ballads mostly and has a chance to strike out on his own in Los Angeles.
He leaves for L.A. against the wishes of father, the 4th generation cantor(Laurence Olivier), and his wife, who likes things just the way they are.
It will take a while to achieve super stardom(at least a month!), but with the help of his new manager Molly(Lucie Arnaz),it is accomplished!The problem is his family is unhappy with the situation, his wife liked life when it was just them, his father is torn up about his son going against tradtion.Jess is having trouble coming to terms with the downfall of his relationship with his father. Molly feels responsible for the rift. Get your Kleenex ready as they work this out.
Diamond's soundtrack is wonderful. It includes "Love on the Rocks" and "Hello Again".Sir Olivier has not lost his touch, He is still the master. The British legend plays the Jewish cantor steeped in tradtion like he was born to the part, his performance alone is worth the watch.
The VHS is in hi-fi stereo, Dolby Surround, which enhances this musical.
Need a nice cry? This is the one!.......Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Pure entertaining enjoyment
Review: Perhaps because of my Music Teacher background, this movie rings so many chords...it is not for the teenage boys, who only enjoy motorcycle mania or special effects. This is a movie for folks who enjoy seeing and hearing art being created, the struggles involved and sacrifices given, the labor in bringing it forth. Mr. Diamond does very well in his only acting venture, helped by the greatest actor who every lived, Sir Lawrence Olivier (Heathcliff, Henry 5, Hamlet etc. etc.) Who wouldn't be intimidated just being in the same room with the man, never mind having to share lines with him. Mr. Diamond's performance showed a great reverance for both the story line taken from the original "Jazz Singer" by Al Jolson, and the new update with wonderful music, plus the feeling of being honored to share a stage with Sir Olivier. It is a film for Teachers and Lovers of musicals, a genre which has been lost in Hollywood and in the Music industry. No wonder there is no music left, only two-note noise. Buy this movie and be surrounded by singable tunes.
Rating:
Summary: I'm sentimental about this film!
Review: So everyone's a critic. :o) I first saw this film when I was in High School with friends from Choir and the Drama department. I have loved it ever since! What do I expect out of a film or play? To be entertained. I am always entertained when I watch The Jazz Singer. (A must for the video library of any N.D. fan) Did I expect an Academy Award winning performance by Neil Diamond or any others? No. However, I thought Neil did extremely well for not being an "actor". I was impressed. Laurence Olivier did a wonderful job, as usual. Yes, I am a Neil Diamond fan! How can anyone hear his voice alone, and not be moved, let alone with his music and lyrics? Neil Diamond's voice pierces my soul! My two favorite songs from the film are "Love On The Rocks" and "Hello Again". I highly recommend this film to music lovers, anyone who wants to be entertained, and to "thirty somethings" like me. I watched it two days ago and still have goose bumps! Andrea
Rating:
Summary: Luci Arnaz- remove this from your resume
Review: Ugh. Poor plot development and cardboard characters. For example, he loves his wife sooooo much and discards her sooooo easily? Not likely. Lucie Arnaz, a wonderful personality and normally "good" actress is a cartoon character. Who could fall in love with Neil Diamond with all his angst and schmaltzy whining? Not I, that's for sure.
Rating: 
Summary: a bad movie with great music
Review: This is not a great adaptation of the Jazz singer,the acting is mediocre,the progress of the plot is unrealistic,but Neil Diamond`s great music makes it worth watching.I used to have the soundtrack to this movie,i enjoyed it a great deal.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!
Review: I can't understand why this movie was so poorly accepted. It was a well acted, well directed film.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT MOVIE...If you enjoy the art...you will love it.!!
Review: I saw this movie for the first time when I was 8 years old and I loved it and I just saw it again today at age 31 and I still love it...It was written great, and its a great movie! Neal Diamond is an excellent singer! Too the people who dont like it...you just dont get it and never will! One of the best movies of the 80's!!!!!
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