A BRONX TALE Previews — Page 4

Having just seen the film for the first time this week, I wanted to share some thoughts and figured this was the best place to put them.

I haven't seen the musical yet, but it seems that many of the complaints here (with the exception of "the score was bland" rest with the story and its structure. But, honestly, I saw those same concerns play out onscreen. For instance, Jane doesn't appear until the end of Act 1 because Jane doesn't appear until about halfway through the movie, too. So much time is devoted to Young Calogero because half the story is about his "grooming." I agree that trying to make C's friends "likable" is a misstep; the movie does not do this, and with good reason...

I think with the over-narration, they were trying to mimic C's numerous voiceovers in the film. Perhaps this would have fared better onstage if it was trimmed and also made a VO?

And as much as I enjoyed the film, I do wish it had tied up a few loose ends, such as what happens with Jane and C after

and why C's mother disappears for the entire second half. Then there is the question of Lorenzo's hint of racism (when C asks him about dating a black girl) that doesn't get addressed again.

You seem to be able to get away with these things in a film medium, but the modern musical theatre scene is another matter. I'm not sure...maybe A Bronx Tale is one of "those movies" that can't be musically adapted effectively.

I saw this at the Papermill and didn't even think it was a good regional production, much less for Broadway. I suppose it has an audience because it's a familiar story due to the movie. Chazz has certainly squeezed every drop out of this story.

Dancingthrulife: I wish I could say that the story is dated but after the actions in Virginia these past few days, unfortunately, racism is still quite timely.