JERSEY BOYS | FAMILY MOVIE REVIEW INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND KIDS

"JERSEY BOYS"
(2014) (John Lloyd Young, Vincent Piazza) (R)

QUICK TAKE:: Drama: Members of a 1950s and '60s era band try to become the next big thing and must then contend with the results of their success as well as various interpersonal issues between them and others.

PLOT:

It's 1951 and Frankie Castelluccio (JOHN LLOYD YOUNG) is a 16-year-old aspiring barber with an amazing falsetto singing voice. He's so good that he's drawn the attention not only of neighborhood mafioso Gyp DeCarlo (CHRISTOPHER WALKEN), but also that man's driver and small-time criminal, Tommy DeVito (VINCENT PIAZZA), who leads a band that also consists of his brother and a few other guys. Tommy eventually invites Frankie and bassist Nick Massi (MICHAEL LOMENDA) to join the ever-evolving group, and even introduces Frankie to a more experienced woman, Mary Delgado (RENEE MARINO), who insists that he change his last name to Valli.

Tommy is less enthusiastic when a neighborhood acquaintance, Joe Pesci (JOSEPH RUSSO), introduces them to songwriter-pianist Bob Gaudio (ERICH BERGEN) who's recently had a hit song with "Short Shorts." He proves his stuff and joins the band that eventually becomes known as The Four Seasons, and things take off when they meet record producer Bob Crewe (MIKE DOYLE) who helps them score various number one hits. Yet, for their success, they must deal with various issues, including Frankie's wife dumping him, an act that along with Frankie's long absences, eventually results in their teenage daughter, Francine (FREYA TINGLEY), running away from home.

While Frankie eventually falls into the arms of reporter Lorraine (ERICA PICCINNI), Tommy's building debt to a mobster starts to unravel the group's cohesiveness, threatening to ruin their chart-topping success, a point exacerbated by Frankie embarking on a solo career.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of the Broadway musical, the original music and/or anyone in the cast, they might show some interest, but it's unlikely this will be a huge draw.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R: For language throughout.

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