The Idolmaker

Buy This Item The Idolmaker by MGM (Video & DVD)  Available from Amazon  $12.99  on 11-27-2008     The same year Neil Diamond made a ballyhooed (through lackluster) remake of <I>The Jazz Singer</I>, first-time director Taylor Hackford (<I>An Officer and a Gentleman</I>) created a musical biography packed with energy, verve, and style. Golden Globe winner Ray Sharkey is Vincent Vacarri, a tough, charismatic music fan who turns producer, creating stars in the halcyon days of rock and roll. Loosely based on the life of Bob Marucci, who created the Fabian and Frankie Avalon juggernauts, the story is part character study, part musical. The outstanding concert sequences are the payoff with newcomer Peter Gallagher as the Fabian-like Caesare--a great bit of casting. Brill Building songwriter Jeff Barry's song score, including a cagey final number, is a highlight, as is Joe Pantoliano (in another debut) as Vacarri's abused but loyal songwriter partner. <I>--Doug Thomas</I> Reader Reviews Ray Sharkey,giving a career best performance ,plays Vincent Vacarri a man clearly based on the real life Bob Marcucci,the man who discovered and moulded teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian .Marcucci acted as technical adviser on the movie which may in part account for its air of authenticity.We see Vaccari promoting the careers of two glossy haired teen idol wannabees ;there is Tommy Dee (Paul Land) and Caesare (Peter Gallagher).Tommy is the first to become a star until his crown is threatened by the emerging talent of Caesare in a way almost exactly paralleling the cases of Avalon and Fabian .We witness the wheeling and dealing of Vaccari as he glad hands and bribes anyone within the industry able to advance the carerrs of his proteges.He is helped by Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh) who falls in love with Vincent . The movie mercilessly satirises the late 50's and early 60's teen music dream -a world, mercifully for music,dented by the British invasion and it benefits from wonderful direction from the debuting Taylor Hackford and a crop of exceptional supporting performance to back up the estimable Sharkey .This fine ,energetic and potent movie maybe takes itself a bit too seriously and does have a worryingly anachronistic John Barry score ,which while fine musically ,is not in synch with the period in which the picture is set and is too contemporary sounding .Like the more high profile Bette Midler picture The Rose it is an examination of how people are groomed for stardom and the price that has to be paid.It is much better than that movie and is a joy Please note the version under review is pan and scan and not widescreen ;also note-if this kind of thing bothers you-that it does contain profanity

The Idolmaker Available from Amazon Price: $12.99 Updated on 11-27-2008.

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