The films plot is about a Jewish kid from a very cultured Jewish family and his father is a Cantor in the synagogue. The boy runs away from home due to his Father's hatred towards Jazz and years later (Now played by the great Al Jolson) he becomes a Jazz Singer. The film is actually NOT the first talking film, sound film or musical film for that matter. It's not even the first full length talking film. With that said, it was a major success and it did inspire film studios to take a step further and that's what made it a milestone film. The film was sadly not nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars due to being unfair that it's the only talkie film, however, the film did receive a special Oscar for being a milestone hit that same year. So in a way, it did win best picture.
The characters in this film are great but it's Jolson who steals the show! His performance is fun, likable, emotional and his relationship with the characters are touching but where he really shines is whenever he sings! His performance, his singing, his deliverance and improv dialogue is so great that it shows why he's so great and aspiring to performers. Now let me get this out of the way, I HATE MINISTERIAL SHOWS! They were the cool and hip thing at the time but even if I was living in the time, I still wouldn't like them. They're ugly, unfunny, stereotypical, dancing and acting like buffoons and are just plain mean spirited in general. With that said, there are some exceptions such as some of the songs becoming American household tunes, Fred Astaire's famous dance sequence in "Swing Time", Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder" and Laurence Olivier in "Othello". I'm not saying they're not offensive but they at least had class to it then just act like dumbasses. Al Jolson is one of those exceptions. While looking like an offensive black caricature, he at least puts class, heart and emotion when he sings then acting buffoonish. In fact he was very supportive to African American performers and while being a struggling Jewish immigrant like most Jews at the time, he put on Blackface as a metaphor to show the struggle of races and expose white American audiences to African American music. I'm not going to say he didn't have performances that weren't stereotypical, insulting or offensive (With the exception of Blackface) but when he got it right, he not only got it right but also exposed white audiences to African American music. Jolson is and always will be one of the greatest entertainers of all time and it shows in this film.
The score is nothing that new or original but it does fit the scenes and adds the emotion to the dramatic moments. The cinematography is really good and I like some of it's creative approach with Al's visions. While not having a lot of talking scenes, the silent scenes do indeed help tell the story and the silent actors (Including Jolson) are great at their acting and expressions. As for the songs in this film, they're all fantastic!
The film as a great and powerful story, an outstanding performance from Jolson, a nice score, great characters and wonderful cinematography. While not being the first talkie film, it was very influential and without it's influence we probably wouldn't have had talking and sound in film.
RATING 5/5
"Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain't heard nothin yet!" Here's a bonus review that relates to the film!
In 1936, "Merrie Melodies" payed tribute to this film and performer by doing a cartoon called...
I LOVE TO SINGA
The cartoon is about an Owl family who only sing and play classical music, however, their son Owl Jolson loves to sing Jazz, as a result his Dad kicks him out and he goes out to become a Jazz Singer. The cartoon is both funny and cute. I love the tribute and animal parody on this classic film, I love the clever pun and homage on Jolson, I enjoy the animation, I love our main character and on top of it, I love the song he sings called "I Love To Singa" (Which is a popular Jolson song). I should also note the voice of our lead is the kid who played Butch in "Our Gang", also Trey Parker and Matt Stone homage it on "South Park". The cartoon is a great parody and tribute to a great film and it's one of the best Merrie Melodies cartoons of all time!
RATING 5/5
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