The Jazz Singer (1980)

15% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(4,733 ratings)

Pop singer Neil Diamond stars in this ill-begotten second remake of Al Jolson's seminal 1927 musical The Jazz Singer. The moth-eaten story concerns a cantor's son who desires success as a pop singer, despite the wishes of his imperious father. The film takes place in the present day with Yussel… More Pop singer Neil Diamond stars in this ill-begotten second remake of Al Jolson's seminal 1927 musical The Jazz Singer. The moth-eaten story concerns a cantor's son who desires success as a pop singer, despite the wishes of his imperious father. The film takes place in the present day with Yussel Rabinowitz (Neil Diamond) playing a young (though middle-aged looking) cantor performing at the synagogue of his father (Laurence Olivier). Yussel is married and has settled down to a life of religious devotion to the teaching of his fath. But on the side, he writes songs for a black singing group, and when a member of the quartet takes ill, Yussel covers for him at one of their gigs by wearing blackface! The nightclub engagement is such a success that Yussel abandons his family -- and his father's synagogue -- and leaves his New York home for Los Angeles, hoping to break into the music business. Almost immediately he is spotted by spunky agent Molly Bell (Lucie Arnaz), who books him as an opening act for a touring comic. Yussel hits it big, but his father resents Yussel's forsaking their traditional Jewish ways. His father disowns him, rending his garments and bellowing, "I hef no son!" ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Ralph Thomas, Richard Fleischer
Written By: Herbert Baker
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Dec 19, 1980 Limited
On DVD: Mar 15, 2000

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Jazz Singer has so many things wrong with it that a review threatens to become a list.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Mr. Diamond, looking glum and seldom making eye contact with anyone, isn't enough of a focus for the outmoded story.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Richard Fleischer's direction is appropriately close-in and small, and Diamond himself, while no actor, proves to be a commandingly intense, brooding presence.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Stick with Jolson's version via 1927. Or even the Danny Thomas take. Skip Neil.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The third and, one hopes, final remake of THE Jazz Singer is the least interesting attempt so far.
, Time Out
The most cautious soft-rock superstar movie debut you'll ever get to see.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
Most of the film is very likable despite its cliches.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
painfully schmaltzy
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Diamond tries his best. Olivier over compensates, but the songs are classic.
, Film4
The roughest of Diamonds, this will only interest fans of the singer and those with a passion for poor pictures.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
An unintentional laff riot. Olivier is so over the top that it's mesmerizing.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Erin C

This was a pretty good movie. Some of the acting was really cheesy, but I thought it was entertaining enough.
Lee K

Great for fans of the singer as i am but however this is a musical and i only like about two of them.
Chad R

I had to watch this damn movie a bunch when I was a kid - NOTHING ELSE ON GODDAMN IT HBO!