The Jazz Singer

Play trailer

The Jazz Singer

PG

1980

1h 55m

Musical

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

26%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ 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.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Time Out

06/24/2006

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

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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]

Go to Full Review

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…

Go to Full Review

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]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Marc D

@MadDogthereview Mar 1

Terrible movie and I'm a music fan that respects Neil Diamonds music, career and ability...wish I would have passed on this one!

See more

Mark T.

@markt49 Feb 20

Loved this movie with awesome music which is still popular today

See more

Daniel M.

@Tuffstang2000 Feb 15

I saw this movie as a kid and have always loved it! I’m actually shocked at some of the reviews I have read especially from the “critics”.

See more

David R

@DavidRankin Feb 9

When you grow up listening to Neil Diamond via your Dad on Sundays, you cannot help but love this movie.

See more

James B

@RT54975811 Feb 7

I have to say at the start that I love Neil Diamond's music. That is by far the highlight of this movie. The songs really make the movie and are really good. The story itself isn't bad, but some of the acting in the movie is on the rough side. If you love his music I think you will enjoy this movie, and it is worth a watch.

See more

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.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Richard Fleischer

Director

Neil Diamond

Yussel Rabinovitch

Laurence Olivier

Cantor Rabinovitch

Lucie Arnaz

Molly Bell

Catlin Adams

Rivka Rabinovitch

Franklyn Ajaye

Bubba

The Idolmaker

90%

85%

The Idolmaker

Watchlist

Can't Stop the Music

22%

37%

Can't Stop the Music

Watchlist

Honeysuckle Rose

60%

73%

Honeysuckle Rose

Watchlist

Roller Boogie

0%

54%

Roller Boogie

Watchlist

Hair

83%

87%

Hair

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now