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It's taken me 41 years to watch this. It's nothing amazing, but it's a nice story with decent music. It entertains, and that's what movies are for, no?

If you've never seen it then give it a go.

I agree with one other comment I saw here, Lucie Arnaz, I'm surprised she didn't become a bigger star!

Yeah, Neil Diamond wasn't really much of an actor here, but Lucie Arnaz was great. Not only fun and charming, but she really showed she could act. Great screen presence-- you just wanted to hang out with her!

I wish more people had seen her in this.

Critics are too hard on this film. Yes, for a remake of a classic, this is nothing terrific. Still, the 1980 remake of the Jazz Singer has as many moments as the original did. The opening montage alone is worth renting this movie. A 2 minute music video / opening shows the real streets of New York City and the people that live there. Opening with the statue of liberty, the camera showcases all the different colors, faces and cultures that New York City is made of. Yes Neil Diamond is not a terrific actor....HE'S A SINGER! The amazing talent of Laurence Olivier helps cancel out the bad acting from Neil Diamond. Still, for a singer, Diamond does a good job in this role. For fans of Neil Diamond, this is worth watching for the music alone. Still, I was hoping, out of respect for the original Jazz Singer, have some of the remake made into a silent film. All in all, a nice little movie with good music, even for 1980.

Wonderful version of a cantor's son in conflict over his orthodox Jewish beliefs and his desire to be a singing star.

The only major flaw that I had with this film is that by the orthodox Jewish people, there is no accommodation made whatsoever in the field of intermarriage. If it occurs, the person intermarrying is regarded as dead as depicted in the film.

Caitlin Adams, who portrayed Jesse's wife Rivka, is true to life since she chose to break with her husband due to her orthodox beliefs. Others might argue that their marriage was headed towards a downward spiral anyway.

Laurence Olivier is absolutely mesmerizing as Diamond's father. His authentic Jewish accent and tearing his clothes are memorable.

Diamond's voice is superb and is acting is on par for the role. "Love on the Rocks," as well as "Acapulco," and "Coming to America" are wonderfully staged.

In the world of today, we need understanding and accommodation and that's exactly what we get in this fine film.

I like to see remakes, because in many cases you experience two films at once: the film you are watching of course, and the one you recall. Usually that prior one is pretty good. In this case, it IS pretty good, and historically important too.

It was the first popular talkie, and not all talkie either. It was pretty amazing in depicting New York Jewry in a way gathered from the reality of the era, and on that score alone is fascinating. It was perhaps overly melodramatic, but suitably severe. And its "message" though simple wasn't quite dumb: that "jazz" music can be sacred work if delivered so. Along the way, we got (still!) entertaining songs.

Now this. I do not know what prompted the remake. It seems that they simply had Neil Diamond and saw a fit. He is Jewish. He has a fantastic portfolio of songs, some of which seem written for the project, and he is at least a credible actor. So they tromped through the old script, modernizing as they went. They shifted the focus to the music and the self- discovery of the musician. The rift with the father is recast as upset over sex rather than jazz, something I think is a big mistake.

And the script and production values (other than the songs) is horrible, Laurence Olivier embarrasses himself and us all every thing he speaks with some sort of faux stage accent. he is truly dreadful. Everyone is, save one, but he is the worst. The only good actor is on screen only a few times: he is the booker, played by Sully Boyar, and every time he shows up to speak, the sun shines. Doesn't kill the mold though.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.