The Jazz Singer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Jewish guy who sings in synagogue decides he’d rather be Neil Diamond, much to his father’s Oscar-baiting dismay, resulting in questionable life choices and a truly unforgettable blackface scene.

🍿 The Jazz Singer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Young Cantor’s Divided Heart

Yussel Rabinovitch is a fifth-generation cantor, expected to follow in the footsteps of his devout father in their New York City synagogue. Despite his religious upbringing and marriage to his childhood friend Rivka, Yussel harbors a secret passion for secular music. Under the stage name Jess Robin, he writes and performs popular songs, often with a Black singing group. This dual life creates tension between his traditional duties and his modern aspirations, setting the stage for conflict with his family.

Opportunity Knocks in Los Angeles

An opportunity arises when a successful singer wants to record a song Yussel wrote, requiring him to travel to Los Angeles. This trip is met with strong opposition from his father and wife, who want him to stay true to his religious path. Against their wishes, Yussel, with his father’s tearful, conditional release, heads west. There, he connects with Molly Bell, a music agent who sees his potential and becomes instrumental in his burgeoning career.

The Rise to Stardom and Familial Strain

Working with Molly, Jess Robin’s music gains traction, leading to recording contracts and performance opportunities. As his professional life thrives, his personal life becomes complicated. His wife Rivka visits him in Los Angeles, hoping to bring him home, but the widening gap between their values becomes clear, leading to their separation. His father also visits, distraught by Jess’s divorce and his continued pursuit of popular music, resulting in an angry confrontation and disownment.

A Period of Self-Discovery

Emotionally broken by his father’s rejection and grappling with his choices, Jess walks away from his newfound success. He drifts across the country, taking on small singing gigs, trying to find himself outside of the pressures of both tradition and fame.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jess Robin (Neil Diamond): A young Jewish cantor who defies tradition to pursue a career in popular music as Jess Robin.
• Cantor Rabinovitch (Laurence Olivier): Jess’s rigid, traditional father who strongly opposes his son’s desire for a music career outside the synagogue.
• Molly Bell (Lucie Arnaz): A spunky music agent who believes in Jess’s talent and helps him achieve his dream of becoming a pop singer.
• Rivka Rabinovitch (Catlin Adams): Jess’s traditional wife who represents the religious life he is leaving behind in his pursuit of a music career.
• Bubba (Franklyn Ajaye): Jess’s friend and member of a singing group who helps him get opportunities in the music world.
• Eddie Gibbs (Sully Boyar): A booking agent persuaded by Molly to give Jess his first big break in the music industry.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cantor Rabinovitch: “I HAVE NO SON!!” – Shouted by Yussel’s father in anguish and anger when Yussel insists on pursuing his popular music career and divorcing his traditional wife.
• Molly Bell: “He hates loud music… you he loved… you open for Zane Gray.” – Molly tells Jess that booking agent Eddie Gibbs was impressed by his ballad performance despite leaving during his rock set, securing him a major TV appearance.
• Molly Bell: “Molly Bell. That’s what they call me. My real name is a lot longer.” – Molly introduces herself to Jess, initiating a memorable exchange about their long names that builds a connection.
• Jess Robin: “What happened to the groove?” – Jess shouts this in frustration during a recording session when feeling disconnected from his music and bandmates, leading to him abandoning his career temporarily.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $27,118,000
• Worldwide Gross: $27,118,000

💥 The Jazz Singer Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched The Jazz Singer, and wow, it’s… a lot. As a huge Neil Diamond fan, I knew the music would be great, and it totally delivered. Hearing classics like ‘America’ and ‘Love on the Rocks’ on the big screen (or my TV, in this case) is a treat. But yeah, the acting is definitely a mixed bag. Neil isn’t winning any Oscars, but honestly, I thought he wasn’t *that* bad in some scenes, especially when he gets angry. Laurence Olivier goes full throttle, which is… something to behold. Lucie Arnaz is genuinely fantastic and steals every scene she’s in. I kept thinking, why wasn’t she a bigger star? The story itself is pretty dramatic, maybe overly so. The parts about family tradition and following your dreams hit you, even if some of the plot points feel a bit rushed or unbelievable (the cowboy scene!). It’s not a perfect movie by any means, but it’s got heart and, most importantly, incredible music that really carries you through. It’s definitely a product of its time, but if you love the music, give it a shot.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Neil Diamond’s music (the soundtrack is a major highlight)”
  • “Viewers interested in remakes of classic films, particularly ‘The Jazz Singer'”
  • “Those interested in musical dramas about cultural identity and generational conflict”
  • “Viewers curious about films known for their poor critical reception or Razzie wins”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scene featuring a character in blackface (considered offensive)”
  • “Themes of familial conflict and temporary disownment”
  • “Religious themes and conflicts between tradition and modernity”

Professional Reviews

• Synthesized Critic Opinion: “This remake struggles under the weight of its legacy. While Neil Diamond’s musical performances are undeniably powerful and feature some of his best songs, his dramatic acting often falls flat. Laurence Olivier delivers a performance that is, charitably, *memorable* for its intensity, but feels wildly out of sync with the rest of the film. Lucie Arnaz provides a much-needed spark, but the narrative feels clichéd and predictable.
• Synthesized Critic Opinion: “A misguided attempt to update a classic. The central conflict, while potentially compelling, is hampered by a weak script and uneven performances. The infamous blackface scene is particularly jarring and ill-conceived. Despite a few standout songs, the film fails to find its footing, oscillating between melodrama and unintentional comedy. Best approached as a curiosity or strictly for Neil Diamond fans.

Audience Reactions

Neil Diamond’s musical performances are the highlight.: Many viewers praise the soundtrack and Neil Diamond’s singing, calling it the film’s saving grace.

Lucie Arnaz received praise for her performance.: A frequent comment is that Lucie Arnaz was surprisingly good and deserved more recognition.

The film is seen as a product of its era, sometimes hilariously so.: Audiences often note the film’s dated aspects and camp value, particularly Olivier’s acting and certain plot points.

Overall Consensus: Highly divisive, with universal praise for Neil Diamond’s music and Lucie Arnaz’s performance, but often criticized for uneven acting (especially Laurence Olivier’s and Neil Diamond’s dramatic scenes) and a predictable, sometimes problematic plot. It’s considered a film primarily for Neil Diamond fans or those interested in infamous movie remakes.

Awards

1. Golden Raspberry Award (Worst Picture)- 1980
2. Golden Raspberry Award (Worst Actor)- 1980
3. Golden Raspberry Award (Worst Supporting Actor)- 1980

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sir Laurence Olivier, notoriously blunt about the film, was overheard at a dinner calling it “This piss is shit.” When this was reported (with milder language), he wrote a ten-page letter to the director apologizing and explaining he was making many films purely for money.”
• “Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) initially started production but dropped the project, reportedly due to concerns it was “too Jewish.””
• “Neil Diamond had back surgery before filming and used a clause in his contract to complete the music before production began, which notably prevented producers from potentially recasting the lead role with Barry Manilow.”
• “Director Sidney J. Furie was fired during filming due and replaced by Richard Fleischer due to creative differences, contributing to the film’s troubled production.”
• “Despite being a critical and Razzie-winning failure for its acting (particularly Neil Diamond and Laurence Olivier), the film was a significant financial success, largely due to being pre-sold to television, and its soundtrack became Neil Diamond’s best-selling album in the U.S.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Jazz Singer?

As of late 2023/early 2024, ‘The Jazz Singer’ (1980) is not widely available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Max. However, it can typically be rented or purchased digitally through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Check these platforms for current availability and pricing, which may vary. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available for purchase from online retailers like Amazon or local stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Jazz Singer, you might like these similar films:

• The Jazz Singer (1927): The original and historically significant version, the first feature-length ‘talkie,’ featuring Al Jolson in the lead role with a similar core story of generational and cultural conflict.
• Fiddler on the Roof (1971): Explores similar themes of Jewish tradition versus changing times, generational conflict, and the pull between religious duty and personal desires within a family context, though focusing on a father and daughters.
• Fame (1980): An iconic musical drama from the same era focusing on the struggles, ambitions, and relationships of young performers striving for success in a competitive artistic world.
• A Star Is Born (2018): A modern musical drama centered on the music industry, featuring themes of artistic struggle, relationships within the business, and the rise to fame.
• Billy Elliot (2000): Focuses on a young protagonist from a working-class background pursuing an artistic passion (ballet) against the initial disapproval and traditional expectations of his family and community.

🛒 The Jazz Singer Related Products

• The Jazz Singer (1980 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Featuring all the iconic songs from the film, including ‘America,’ ‘Love on the Rocks,’ and ‘Hello Again,’ this soundtrack is widely considered the best part of the movie experience.
• Neil Diamond: His Greatest Hits: A collection spanning Neil Diamond’s extensive career, including hits featured in and around the time of ‘The Jazz Singer,’ showcasing his enduring popularity.
• The Jazz Singer (1980) Movie Poster Print: A vintage-style print of the original theatrical poster, a visual piece of the film’s history and a pop culture curiosity.
• Biography of Sir Laurence Olivier: Explore the life and career of one of the greatest actors of all time, including context for his later-career choices like ‘The Jazz Singer’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Jazz Singer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “America” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “Love on the Rocks” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “Hello Again” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “Summerlove” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “You Baby” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “On the Robert E. Lee” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “Hey Louise” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “Amazed and Confused” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “You Are My Sunshine” – performed by Neil Diamond
• “Kol Nidre” – performed by Traditional (Performed by Neil Diamond in film)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Songs of Life – Neil Diamond – The Jazz Singer 1980

Want to see one of the key musical moments from the movie and get a feel for what it’s about? This clip is a great way to dive right into Neil Diamond’s performance and the film’s heart!

The Jazz Singer: A behind the scene’s feature

Ever wondered what filming this movie was like, especially with a music superstar taking the lead? Check out this behind-the-scenes look – hearing the director talk about working with Neil Diamond is pretty fascinating!

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