Jolly Blu is a 1998 Italian musical comedy film directed by Stefano Salvati, based on a story by Max Pezzali and featuring music by the Italian pop group 883. The film features Pezzali as a fictionalized version of himself and incorporates songs from the group's repertoire.
Plot
Max and his friends regularly meet at the Jolly Blu, a local bar owned by Baldo. When Baldo faces financial difficulties and risks losing the business, Max and his friends organize a concert to raise money to help him. During the event, Max attracts the attention of a talent scout, who arranges an audition with a record company executive. Impressed by his performance, the executive offers Max the opportunity to record an album. Meanwhile, the film follows the romantic relationships and everyday lives of Max's friends.
The film was conceived as a vehicle for the songs of 883, whose music provides much of its structure. Its episodic narrative combines stories about young people and their relationships with musical performances, recalling the Italian musical film tradition known as musicarello. A young Angelina Jolie auditioned for the role of Beatrice, which ultimately went to Alessia Merz, but was rejected because director Stefano Salvati considered her too sensual for the part.
