Watch The Jazz Singer

The Jazz Singer, released in 1980, is a musical drama movie that showcases the story of singer-songwriter Neil Diamond who wants to pursue his dream of being a successful musician, despite his father's desire for him to enter the family business as a cantor. The story is set in New York City, where young Diamond is struggling to make it in the music industry. He frequently performs at a local club, much to the chagrin of his father, who is the cantor of the local synagogue. The young man's passion for music creates a rift between him and his father, and he is ultimately kicked out of the house.

With the encouragement of his grandmother, Yussel Rabinovitch (Neil Diamond) travels to Los Angeles to audition for a famous producer, played by Sir Laurence Olivier. After receiving an offer to record an album, Yussel changes his name to Jess Robin and becomes an overnight sensation, singing jazz music instead of the traditional religious music of his father's synagogue.

As Jess gains fame and success, he begins to feel that he has lost a part of himself. He misses the traditions of his Jewish upbringing, and his father's disappointment weighs heavy on him. When he is offered the chance to perform on television, he faces a difficult decision - to perform a jazz song, as he has been doing, or to sing a traditional cantorial song, which would please his father but risk his newfound fame.

The Jazz Singer boasts impressive performances by Diamond and Olivier, both of whom were nominated for Golden Globe awards for their work in the film. Diamond's signature song, "Love on the Rocks," was a chart-topping hit, and the soundtrack was a commercial success.

The film also stars Lucie Arnaz as Robin's wife, who supports her husband as he struggles to navigate his conflicting identities. The performances and chemistry between the three leads elevate the movie and make it more than just a standard musical drama.

Overall, The Jazz Singer is a moving and entertaining musical drama that deals with themes of identity, tradition, and family. The film leaves viewers with the message that it is possible to honor one's past while pursuing one's dreams.

In conclusion, The Jazz Singer is a must-see film for fans of musical drama and those interested in exploring themes of identity and tradition. The performances by Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier, and Lucie Arnaz make this film a classic that endures to this day.

The Jazz Singer is a 1980 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 37.