The Jazz Singer

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The Jazz Singer

PG

1980

1h 55m

Musical

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

30%

Tomatometer

20 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.

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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.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Oct 23, 2004

1/4

The Jazz Singer has so many things wrong with it that a review threatens to become a list.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

Aug 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.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Jan 1, 2000

Richard Fleischer's direction is appropriately close-in and small, and Diamond himself, while no actor, proves to be a commandingly intense, brooding presence.

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Vicki Pipkin

Billboard

Mar 28, 2023

... A safe vehicle for any newcomer to the widescreen because the storyline has universal appeal. [Full review in Spanish]

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Sep 27, 2022

3/5

…a wildly amusing film, a vanity project from a star who has got little to be modest about…

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Jesús Fernández Santos

El Pais (Spain)

Aug 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]

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Chris P

@RT06285801 Jun 19, 2026

I don’t understand the negative reviews. Great movie, great music!

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Aaron G.

@RaiderGeyer Jun 12, 2026

I saw this movie as a kid, and it still amazes me today. I’m surprised at some of the reviews that I’ve read. And I make a habit of not reading reviews from the, “film critics”, as I tend to disagree with them more than I agree. This movie is OUTSTANDING!

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thiago S

@Thiagostone May 9, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Marc D

@MadDogthereview Mar 1, 2026

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

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Mark T.

@markt49 Feb 20, 2026

Loved this movie with awesome music which is still popular today

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Daniel M.

@Tuffstang2000 Feb 15, 2026

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”.

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Richard Fleischer

Director

Neil Diamond

Yussel Rabinovitch

Laurence Olivier

Cantor Rabinovitch

Lucie Arnaz

Molly Bell

Catlin Adams

Rivka Rabinovitch

Franklyn Ajaye

Bubba

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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

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