Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sentimental
- heightened
- wistful
- music movie night
- classic remake exploration
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the remake as an unconvincing, gaudy star vehicle weakened by Neil Diamond’s acting and an outmoded story, despite some appreciation for supporting performances and its successful soundtrack.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Yussel Rabinovitch adopts the stage identity Jess Robin while resisting his father’s cantor tradition and communal expectations.
Yussel leaves New York for Los Angeles to pursue a recording career with support from manager Molly Bell.
The father-son relationship is shaped by Yussel’s role as a cantor, his father’s rigid expectations, and his pursuit of popular music.
The critical reception repeatedly characterizes the remake as gaudy, campy, and driven by its soundtrack and star vehicle qualities.
Films like The Jazz Singer, and why
The Rose
music-centered drama about an artist choosing popular success over family tradition and religious expectations
A Star Is Born
show-business musical drama focused on ambition, personal sacrifice, and a performer’s complicated relationships
New York, New York
romantic musical drama where artistic aspiration strains family and intimate commitments
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Fleischer
- Release Date
- 1980-12-17
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (75)
Cast
- Neil Diamond
- Laurence Olivier
- Lucie Arnaz
- Catlin Adams
- Franklyn Ajaye
- Paul Nicholas
- Sully Boyar
- Mike Kellin
- James Booth
- Luther Waters
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Jazz Singer about?
- A Jewish cantor reinvents himself as a pop singer, forcing a painful choice between musical ambition, family tradition, and romantic loyalty.
- What is The Jazz Singer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Jazz Singer as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Jazz Singer violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Jazz Singer.
- What did critics think of The Jazz Singer?
- Critics broadly regarded the remake as an unconvincing, gaudy star vehicle weakened by Neil Diamond’s acting and an outmoded story, despite some appreciation for supporting performances and its successful soundtrack.
- Which films are like The Jazz Singer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Rose, A Star Is Born, and New York, New York.
- How long is The Jazz Singer?
- The Jazz Singer runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Jazz Singer?
- In United States, The Jazz Singer streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel.
