Movie- The Jazz Singer

#2 Jewish Musical

Profile
Came out in 1980
Running time of 1 hour and 51 minutes
Rated PG
Available on VHS
Directed by Richard Fleischer
Written by Herbert Baker and Stephen H. Foreman
Story by Samuel Raphaelson
Main Stars: Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier, Lucie Arnaz

Memorable Songs: America; Love on the Rocks; Hello Again; Kol Nedrei

What's it all about:
An eighties update of the 1927 film, The Jazz Singer, revolving around an orthodox cantor's son and his desire to become a rock singer and songwriter instead of following his family's roots and becoming a cantor. The film depicts his journey in finding his own identity and his conflict and resolution with his father.

Why I Recommend It:
1 - It's a story that has modern appeal. Many individuals are torn between following their family's line of work or breaking away and establishing themselves in another type of work.

2 - The conflict of modern Jews and how to balance the traditional religious values with a modern lifestyle.

3 - The songs. Hey, it's Neil Diamond at his best.

4 - Laurence Olivier's performance, a class act from one of our greatest actors.

Distinguishing Jewish Appeal:
1 - Depiction of an Orthodox family, the rituals, and an Orthodox synagogue setting on the Lower East Side. The film shows various services at the synagogue, including Yom Kippur, a bar mitzvah, and Sabbath.

2 - The steadfast Orthodox father coming to grips with his non traditional son. The film depicts the conflict between father and son, the extremes that the father, at first, undertakes (tearing his clothes as if he was in mourning for losing his son), and the resolution between father and son at the end with the son cantoring the Yom Kippur service while the father attends his son's concert.

3 - The problems of interfaith dating. The son ends up being conflicted between staying with his orthodox wife (whom he eventually divorces) and a non-Jewish woman music producer.

4 - General conflict of trying to retain the traditional Jewish values within a changing modern lifestyle.

Of Note:
1 - This was Neil Diamond's film debut.

2 - This was the third version of the Jazz Singer made.

3 - The first version of the Jazz Singer starred Al Jolson. It was the first sync sound film and depicted the relationship between mother and son.

4 - In all three versions of the Jazz Singer, none of the main characters were jazz singers.

5 - Lucie Arnaz is the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

6 - Ernie Hudson from Ghostbusters and Oz has a small role in the film.

Added: December 22nd 2003
Reviewer: Sandy Chertok
Score:
Related Link: The Jazz Singer
Hits: 2003
Language: english