Jersey Boys
Al Waterson
Professional singer, emcee, actor and entertainer
Where and with whom did you see the movie?
I saw the movie with my wife Nancy Bernal at Ward Consolidated Theatres.
Overall, what did you think?
I thought it was a great movie. This is one movie that I can relate to because it reminded me of my struggles as a young entertainer in similar neighborhoods in North Chicago, Ill.
As these four guys sang a cappella below the lamplight in their early years, I remembered how I had gathered with my friends around a fire in a 50-gallon drum in the snow, singing harmonies in the Midwest.
Without giving away the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes?
One of my favorite scenes was when Frankie Valli was on stage singing with a small group of musicians in front of a curtain. As the song progressed, the curtains opened up to a full orchestra accompanying Frankie Valli and wowing a surprised and excited audience.
On a scale of one to four stars, what would you rate this film?
Since I can’t give it a five, I’ll have to settle for ★★★★ .
Was the message/theme clear?
The message was very clear. Stardom comes, if ever, with hard knocks, slammed doors and the “Don’t call me, I’ll call you” mentality. Perseverance, along with talent and a strong will to succeed are key. Show business isn’t as glamorous as most people think.
Did it remind you of any other works of film?
At the end of the film during the credit rolls, the film did remind me of the musical Grease.
To whom would you recommend this movie?
I would recommend this movie to people who grew up during the ’60s and ’70s who are familiar with The Four Seasons and their music. It definitely will take them back in time and bring back memories. A younger audience also may enjoy this movie and may, therefore, create a new fan base.
Did any of the actors stand out?
The actor who stood out the most to me was the terrific acting of John Lloyd Young, who played the lead role of Frankie Valli. His acting reminded me of a young Al Pacino minus the singing. Then there was Vincent Piazza, who played the leader of the group, Tommy DeVito, who thought only of himself, dragging down everyone with his bullying, scams and finally bringing financial ruin to the band. And, of course, what can you say about Christopher Walken, who is one of the best actors in Hollywood? He played Gyp DeCarlo and the role of a very calm but feared and powerful neighborhood bigwig go-between, who took a liking to Frankie and his amazing voice.
Did you identify with any of the characters?
I identified with John Lloyd Young, Frankie Valli, because I sing the songs of The Four Seasons and I have since the ’60s, when I was infatuated with a pretty girl at school named Sherry. Of course, she never knew I existed.
Did the soundtrack contribute significantly to the film?
The soundtrack absolutely contributed significantly to the film. It was all I could do to refrain from belting out my best falsetto throughout the film. Not being able to sing any of the songs in the theater is as hard as trying to eat a Twinkie without eating the filling.
What’s your favorite movie snack?
My favorite movie snacks are Sno-Caps and Jujubes. But I wind up eating popcorn because Jujubes tend to glue my jaws together.
On a different note, what’s new with you?
I have been busy emceeing and performing for a variety of events. In addition, I continue to do voice-overs for productions, and am featured in the current Hawaii Self-Storage television commercial (Godfather theme). Get more information at alwaterson.com.
