The Jazz Singer

Rating:
Summary: Guilty Pleasure
Review: Ok, this is not an Academy Award quality movie. Basically I bought the DVD because it was Neil Diamond and not expensive. But, it is an enjoyable film. The music is wonderful. Not a poor song in the whole thing. Neil Diamond may not be the greatest actor, but he is convincing and enjoyable throughout. Yes, it is a laid back performance, not showy or hammy, but real. What more can you ask for? Lawrence Olivier does a bit of scenery chewing and does not seem as real as Neil Diamond, but it is still an enjoyable film and with the DVD, you can skip the story and go right for the songs. Like most Elvis films, you probably won't tell anyone you own it, but can sit at home and enjoy it as a guilty, but enjoyable, pleasure.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: Ignore the nay-sayers. This is a great movie with great music. The scene where love perservers in the end will make any human with emotion tear up. In fact there are two such scenes. Try it if you like Neil Diamond at all, you'll like it.

Rating:
Summary: Diamond's music makes it worth it...
Review: Neil Diamond's 1st crack at the big screen found him in a typical position. Keep on touring! Though this "remake" of the Jolsen classic is slow at times, songs like "Love on the Rocks" and "Hello Again" bring it all together. I found this movie entertaining and even moving at times. Certainly worth spinning on DVD. Great songs!

Rating:
Summary: Seven million votes
Review: I don't understand how some have said that this is not a good film. Lucie Arnaz is wonderful in her role as Neil Diamond's supporter and wife. The soundtrack sold over 7 MILLION copies and I remember the feeling the songs gave me years later. The songs are not "soapy" but are full of meaning for people of all ages. Neil Diamond is not a great actor but does a good job all the way through and a great job when dealing with his Jewish father. I saw the movie today for the first time in 12 years and it still brought tears to my eyes. The party scene after they move to LA and get fired is short but so much genuine fun to watch. I thought Lucie Arnaz was the best part of the movie.

Rating:
Summary: You must "hef" this DVD.....
Review: Guilty pleasure filmmaking at its finest. The story is as old as time, devoid of originality or insight. The acting is atrocious, even old salt Olivier. Ahh, but the music.....campy, overwrought, silly, yet compelling as a train wreck.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and Entertaining
Review: Motivational, entertaining, and easy. The film is complete in it's story, and is thus satisfying in an inspirational/motivational sense. Technically, many films are better, but this movie satisfies the desire to see someone attempt something, and to actually succeed. Neil Diamond is a (non-famous) cantor, who wants to be a (star-level) popular singer. Opportunities come his way, and he pursues them. Conflicts arise in his marriage, and elsewhere, as a result of pursuing his singing career; and he works through these problems. And succeeds. Therein is the greatness of this movie. Passion, pursuit, success.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie for all music fans
Review: What's all this talk about Neil being a terrible actor? I think he is very convincing in his role and there are many confrontational scenes in which he shines. The scene where Neil is seen with his significant other and "Hello Again" is played in the background still brings tears to my eyes. This is a great flick. Ignore the nay-sayers.

Rating:
Summary: This film made me a Neil Diamond Fan
Review: It is entirely possible that I had heard of Neil Diamond prior to the viewing of this film, but if so the memory escapes me. My girlfriend (now wife) twisted my arm behind my back, stuck toothpicks under my eyes, and propped me up on the sofa to watch this Sappy Tale. Approximately 90 minutes later, with goose bumbs on my arms and a lump in my throat, I was a confirmed Neil Diamond fan. I will by no means claim that this in a cinematographers masterpiece, but it is a touching film that makes us think about our own relationships in a clearer light. Neil Diamond is a cantor's son who wants to sing proffesionally. He must struggle with his faith, his family, and society to realize his dreams. The musical score is pure Diamond, powerfull and moving if singing a shopping list, and features "Love on the Rocks" and "Hello Again". Rent it - then buy it...I did

Rating:
Summary: It still moves me
Review: The first contact I had to "The Jazz Singer" was with its soundtrack. And it's wonderful. Full of great songs ("Love on the Rocks", "Hello, again"...) Seventeen years after seeing the film for the first time, I still feel the plot very touching. If you like Neil Diamond, do see it. Ok, he is not a great actor, but he is surely a very good singer/composer. And you are going to see good performances from the rest of the cast (Olivier, Lucy Arnaz).

Rating:
Summary: Rough Diamond
Review: No matter how you cut it, "The Jazz Singer" is a terrible film -- whether it's Al Jolson, Danny Thomas or Neil Diamond. However, the Diamond version is by far the worst. I'm now waiting for a Michael Bolton remake.