The Jazz Singer

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The Jazz Singer

PG

1980

1h 55m

Musical

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

26%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Jess Robin (Neil Diamond) dreams of a career in popular music, but his father, Cantor Rabinovitch (Laurence Olivier), forbids it, insisting Jess live as a traditional Jew and inherit his position at the synagogue. With the help of friend and professional musician Bubba (Franklin Ajaye), Jess gets a chance to go to Los Angeles and have famous singer Keith Lennox (Paul Nicholas) record one of his songs. Defying both his father and his wife, Jess leaves New York to pursue his dreams.

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Critics Consensus

Neil Diamond's foray into acting is a total miss in this gaudy and unconvincing remake, with Laurence Olivier on hand to deliver an excruciatingly campy performance.

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Time Out

06/24/2006

The most cautious soft-rock superstar movie debut you'll ever get to see.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

10/23/2004

1/4

The Jazz Singer has so many things wrong with it that a review threatens to become a list.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

08/30/2004

1.5/5

Mr. Diamond, looking glum and seldom making eye contact with anyone, isn't enough of a focus for the outmoded story.

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Vicki Pipkin

Billboard

03/28/2023

... A safe vehicle for any newcomer to the widescreen because the storyline has universal appeal. [Full review in Spanish]

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

09/27/2022

3/5

…a wildly amusing film, a vanity project from a star who has got little to be modest about…

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Jesús Fernández Santos

El Pais (Spain)

08/20/2019

The protagonist manages to get through his dilemma between a profane love and home, with the help of Laurence Olivier, at the helm of the veteran Richard Fleischer, and under the umbrella of a soundtrack that will please its fans. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Spencer P

@s_plewe Jan 10

Neil Diamond's movie star debut isn't bad, and Laurence Olivier makes a commendable effort, but the Jazz Singer remake doesn't age well in several respects, though fans of Diamond's music won't be too disappointed.

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Carroll

Dec 1

Neil actually did a genuinely authentic job in this movie. I cannot stand when these actors very play their part. He did a good job!!

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Ed .

Aug 29

Bernie Madoff and the Rosenbergs were more likeable. Al Jarreau in the SCTV parody is superior viewing. With the exception of Lucie Arnaz' universally-lauded performance, the acting is lame. However, this movie offers several important lessons: (1) Don't believe everything your agent says. (2) Take acting lessons if you've never acted before. (3) Practice your new hobby on SNL or YouTube. (4) Make sure the film's director is a good one. (5) Alternatively, if you don't wish to heed this advice, just keep the blackface on throughout the entire film and go for broke.

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Gary S

Jul 26

I just finished watching the movie The Jazz Singer on my 1980 video tape probably for the 5th or 6th time over the years. It affected me more powerfully than ever before. The music, the song, the story, and most of all Neil Diamond struck my heart so powerfully, that I almost had to wring out my handkerchief because of the numerous times of tears rolling down my face. I just can't thank the cast enough for their creation of such an emotional and wonderful movie.

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Claire D

Apr 10

It is a brilliant film. Yes it is of its age (there are parts that wouldn't be ok nowadays) But it is absolutely worth watching and the soundtrack is amazing

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Rob A

Feb 18

For all it's faults (i.e. dubious acting, dubious writing and a blackface scene for the love of God) if you're old enough to like Neil Diamond you've probably seen this more than once - I know I have. There's also a prescient element to the big finale; a reminder of sorts applicable to just about all of us: "Everywhere around the world, they come to America. Everytime that flag's unfurled, they come to America. Got a dream to take them there, they come to America!" We are great because of it.

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Richard Fleischer

Director

Neil Diamond

Yussel Rabinovitch

Laurence Olivier

Cantor Rabinovitch

Lucie Arnaz

Molly Bell

Catlin Adams

Rivka Rabinovitch

Franklyn Ajaye

Bubba

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Synopsis

Jess Robin (Neil Diamond) dreams of a career in popular music, but his father, Cantor Rabinovitch (Laurence Olivier), forbids it, insisting Jess live as a traditional Jew and inherit his position at the synagogue. With the help of friend and professional musician Bubba (Franklin Ajaye), Jess gets a chance to go to Los Angeles and have famous singer Keith Lennox (Paul Nicholas) record one of his songs. Defying both his father and his wife, Jess leaves New York to pursue his dreams.

Director: Richard Fleischer
Producer: Jerry Leider
Screenwriter: Samson Raphaelson, Samson Raphaelson, Stephen H. Foreman, Herbert Baker
Distributor: Associated Film Distribution
Production Co: EMI Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2013
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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