Jersey Boys 2014

In the gritty streets of Belleville, New Jersey, 1961, Vincent Piazza’s Tommy DeVito sets the tone for a tale of rough-around-the-edges camaraderie and high-stakes hijinks. As he regales the audience with his own version of events, we’re transported to a world where wiseguys and wannabes alike are perpetually chasing the next thrill.

It’s at Frankie Castelluccio’s (John Lloyd Young) local hangout that Tommy drops in uninvited, much to the surprise of Frankie and their client, Gyp DeCarlo (Christopher Walken), a henchman known for his…persuasive abilities. As Tommy spins his yarns, he inadvertently startsle Frankie, causing him to nick Gyp’s cheek during the young man’s first shave.

Following a dinner date with his parents, which ends in awkwardness due to their disapproval of Frankie’s crowd, Tommy whisked Frankie away for an impromptu “practice session” at the high school. In reality, they’re casing a vault with Tommy’s brother Nicky (Johnny Cannizzaro), and their plan goes awry when they fail to haul it into Frankie’s car. The trio makes a hasty retreat after Frankie’s botched attempt to drive off with the weighty prize.

As The Variety Trio - Tommy, Nick Massi (Michael Lomenda), and Frankie - take to the stage at a local club, Tommy gives his buddy an impromptu vocal warm-up. Frankie’s impressive falsetto catches the eye of a stunning redhead in the audience. Backstage, Tommy dispenses wisdom on the two types of women: those who’ll jump into bed with a man only to break his heart, and those that require finesse before causing any damage.

Frankie, enamored with the mysterious redhead, tries his luck but is promptly arrested for attempted robbery. The consequences are severe: Frankie’s parents demand Tommy stay away from their son, and he’s sentenced to six months at a correctional facility. Upon his release, Frankie is welcomed back with open arms - or so it seems.

Meanwhile, Nicky’s antics land him in hot water, literally. While attempting to break into a church with Frankie and a date, they’re caught by the authorities, and Nicky finds himself behind bars. As Tommy watches from outside, he can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu, knowing that his friend is now trading places with him - just as Nick was on the cusp of being released. The revolving door of crime and consequence spins once more in this gritty, fast-paced world of 1960s New Jersey.

Here’s my rephrased version of the section:

As the prison population dwindles, The Four Lovers (formerly just a bunch of boys) return to their club, where Frankie catches sight of the stunning Mary Delgado (Renee Marino). She’s accompanied by another man, but Tommy warns Frankie about getting too close. Undeterred, Frankie enlists Tommy’s help in dispatching her beau, allowing him to finally strike up a conversation with Mary. As they dine together, Frankie reveals his new surname, Vally, and Mary kindly points out the mistake, suggesting it should be Velli instead (after all, “Y” is nothing more than a useless letter). Their romance blossoms quickly, culminating in a hasty marriage.

Fast-forward to Frankie behind the wheel of his car, accompanied by Stosh (James Madio) and Donnie (Jeremy Luke), two goons with a penchant for trouble. An argument erupts, resulting in what appears to be Donnie’s brutal murder of Stosh - or so it seems. Panicked, Frankie is instructed to make a quick exit, leaving Stosh to suddenly sit up, laughing maniacally. When Frankie shares the “horrific” details with Tommy, his friend reveals that this was merely a ruse to extort money from the group and eliminate any potential witnesses. The boys subsequently visit Gyp to settle the matter, only for him to instruct Stosh and Donnie to keep their distance from Frankie.

Meanwhile, Tommy’s social circle proves invaluable in introducing Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen), the talented singer-songwriter behind “Short Shorts”. Impressed by Frankie’s vocal prowess, Bob declares that he must compose music specifically for this voice. He presents the group with a piece titled “Cry For Me”, which they enthusiastically perform for the club’s waitresses - much to their delight. Tommy initially resists Bob’s bid to join the group, insisting on equal shares of the profits. However, Frankie is amenable to the idea and threatens to leave if his friend doesn’t relent. Ultimately, Tommy relents, allowing Bob to become an integral part of The Four Lovers.

As the boys’ demos languish in obscurity, Frankie and Bob stumble upon a chance encounter with an old acquaintance, the flamboyant Bob Crewe (Mike Doyle), who whisks them away to a high-energy party. This serendipitous meeting leads to a contract, but as the year passes, the group finds themselves relegated to providing backup vocals for other musicians, their unique identity and sound nowhere to be found. Undeterred, they seek alternative venues to hone their craft, ultimately finding inspiration in the neon-lit sign of a local bowling alley - Four Seasons - which becomes the moniker for their fledgling group.

With Crewe’s guidance, the boys create a new musical piece, “Sherry”, and perform it over the phone for him. Enchanted by Frankie’s (Frankie Valli) soaring vocals, Crewe instructs his assistant to amplify Frankie’s voice, setting the stage for their meteoric rise. The radio becomes saturated with “Sherry”, catapulting The Four Seasons to stardom, as their subsequent singles, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man”, top the charts.

As their lavish lifestyles take off, Tommy (Tommy DeVito) attempts to play cupid for Bob, but this newfound hedonism creates tension within the group. Mary (Mary Rochelle), feeling betrayed by Frankie’s increasing indulgence in the spotlight, kicks him out of their lives. In a poignant moment, Frankie shares one final night with his daughter Francine (Elizabeth Hunter) before departing, leaving behind his other two children.

As The Four Seasons take to the stage on The Ed Sullivan Show, the cracks begin to show. Offstage, Tommy’s financial woes come to a head when he’s confronted by a ruthless loan shark, Norman Waxman (Donnie Kehr), who demands $150,000. As they perform their set, Nick (now the narrator) reveals that trouble had been brewing long before this pivotal moment.

As the carefree days of their Ohio State Fair escapades give way to the harsh realities of adulthood, the once-impervious bond between Frankie and Tommy begins to fray. The catalyst for this rift is a trifling debt - $120 owed to a hotel - which Tommy’s reckless behavior has incurred. The boys’ arrest and subsequent interview by a charming reporter named Lorraine (Erica Piccininni) only serves to deepen the divide between them. As Frankie becomes entangled in a romantic dalliance with Lorraine, he finds himself increasingly disillusioned with Tommy’s selfish tendencies. When Tommy makes a pass at Lorraine, further straining their already-tense relationship, Frankie effectively cuts ties with his former partner.

In an attempt to rectify their financial woes, the boys meet with their lawyer to transfer ownership of the business to Bob. However, Tommy’s volatile temper gets the better of him, and he resorts to smashing a chair in frustration. Fast-forward to the present, where Frankie seeks the counsel of Gyp (Gyp) in an effort to resolve Tommy’s mounting debt. Moved by his friend’s unwavering dedication, Gyp agrees to help, insisting that he’ll do what it takes to mitigate the damage. As the group - comprising Frankie, Bob, Waxman, and Gyp - convenes to discuss Tommy’s financial fiasco, they’re shocked to discover that he’s pilfered a staggering $500,000 from their tax account. With Nick having had enough of Tommy’s antics, he quits the band.

As Frankie and Bob struggle to find their footing in a post-Tommy world, they face an uphill battle to secure gigs and pay off the mounting debts. The catalyst for Frankie’s return to his Jersey roots is a phone call from Mary, which ultimately leads him to Francine (Freya Tingley), now a fledgling singer with untold potential. After a series of twists and turns, Frankie helps Crewe sign Francine to a record deal. With the financial burden lifted, Frankie and Bob are finally able to pay off their debts to Waxman.

Tragedy strikes when Frankie receives a phone call from what he thinks is Francine’s number, only to be met with the somber news that she’s passed away from an apparent overdose. Consumed by grief, Frankie becomes hesitant to perform songs written by Bob, marking a poignant turning point in his journey.

As the veil of grief lifted following Francine’s passing, Frankie found solace in the sweet serenade of his vocal cords. He began to croon once more, starting with a soulful rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. Initially, it was a gentle, melancholic melody that gradually swelled into a rousing anthem, earning approving nods from captivated audiences.

Fast-forwarding to the hallowed halls of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, the reunited trio of Frankie, Bob, and Nick took center stage. Just as they were warming up their vocal cords, Tommy made a surprise entrance, putting an end to any lingering tension between them. The quartet then harmonized with gusto on “Sherry”, interspersed with heartfelt testimonials from each member.

Tommy, now employed by the esteemed Joe Pesci (no relation), reflected on his past transgressions and found redemption in reconciliation. Nick revealed that his decision to leave the group was a proud moment for him, driven by a desire to return home and start anew. Frankie, with characteristic humility, acknowledged the profound impact his experiences had on his life.

As the evening drew to a close, Bob matter-of-factly declared that he didn’t concern himself with the whispers of others regarding his origins; instead, he was content living in Nashville with his loving wife. The scene then shifted to a flashback sequence showcasing the boys’ youthful exuberance as they performed “Who Loves You”.

The film culminates in a grand finale featuring the entire cast coming together for a rousing rendition of “December 1963 (Oh What A Night)”.