In New York City, Yussel Rabinowitz (Neil Diamond) trains to be a cantor. Although his father (Laurence Olivier) and wife, Rivka (Catlin Adams), don't approve, he also sings and writes songs for a black soul group under the name Jess Robin. When the group gets an opportunity in California, their leader, Bubba (Franklyn Ajaye), asks Jess to join them. Reluctantly, Rivka and his father let him go. In Los Angeles, Jess meets record company executive Molly Bell (Lucie Arnaz). Impressed by his music, she tries to promote him. However, Jess still struggles and is about to give up when Molly gets h... im a solo TV spot. Just as Jess seems set for stardom, Rivka and his father arrive to plead for his return. Samson Raphaelson's play about a talented singer's attempts to break away from a restrictive religious family was first filmed in 1927--when it became the first talkie. This--the third version--was made in 1980. Directed by Richard Fleischer after another director was dismissed, the film focuses on Molly's struggles to find opportunities for Jess, then on Jess's subsequent concert performances. Neil Diamond carries the film, singing his own songs with verve.
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Jazz Singer, The A Jewish cantor who strives to make it big in the music industry. Drama starring Neil Diamond and Laurence Olivier
An inauspicious film debut for the singer Diamond who, in this remake of the classic Al Jolson talkie, is cast as Yussel, a New York synagogue cantor who decides not to follow in his father's and forefathers' footsteps, but opts instead for a life blacking up and singing with a Harlem soul band. When he is caught out one night by a customer, his disapproving father (Olivier) has to bail him out of jail. The strain of acting opposite a larger-than-luvvie Olivier clearly took its toll, for Diamond's acting is, to say the least, perfunctory.
Neil Diamond who the hell is Neil Diamond?
I have to say when I was told to watch this movie I expected a horribly dated, gearish eighties movie. Im pleased to say it was but in a very classical sense it was actually highly enjoyable actually pretty damn good. I had no clue about mr diamond and his work prior to this but its safe to say I will be hunting down the soundrack. Great music and solid performances I highly recommend it regardless of age or musical taste. The Jazz Singer seems to have truly stood the test of time.
Jazz Singer, The
A "rocked-up" remake of what was touted as the world's first talkie — though, actually, it featured only songs and a few speech fragments. Cracklin' Rosie man Neil Diamond updates the old Al Jolson role, playing a cantor's son who wants to make it big in the rock business. Laurence Olivier takes the money and runs as his understandably dubious dad. Given the "rocky" nature of the film, the title now seems pretty meaningless. But, then, that description could be applied to the whole film which, though adequate, remains more a monument to the egomania of musicians than a significant contribution to world cinema.
Jazz Singer, The
A good basis for a best-selling album, otherwise a pointless enterprise.
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