Allan C
Interesting film about a manager/agent in the late 50s shaping young hopeful teen idols, loosely based on Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Although the story of an “idol-maker” who had the talent but not the looks molding young talent who have the look, if not the talent, is kind of a hackneyed story, it was enough to hold my interest. Ray Sharkey is riveting as the talented manager/idol-maker, though I found Paul Land’s Frankie analog and Peter Gallagher’s Fabian analog pretty annoying and unlikeable. Maybe that was the point since Sharkey was the real talent behind their fame. Director Taylor Hackford (AGAINST ALL ODDS, BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT) does a fine job recreating the time and place. One side note that made me feel old is that I did the math and figured out this film is only set about 20 years from when it was made, which is the same as a movie today being set in the early 2000s. (Geez, I’m old!). Joe Pantoliano (THE MATRIX, MIDNIGHT RUN), Maureen McCormick (THE BRADY BUNCH), Olympia Dukakis (MOONSTRUCK), and Denny Terrio (the host of Dance Fever) also appear in the film. Overall, this film didn’t blow me away and isn’t something I’ll probably ever revisit, but the film did wrap up nicely.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
11/12/24
Full Review
Gary O
A favorite going way back to its theatrical run, saw it twice in theaters, this movie never disappoints. If Peter Gallagher's performance of "However Dark the Night" does not stir you on some level then maybe you're just not stirrable! ;)
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/26/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Music producer and songwriter Vincent Vacarri played by Ray Sharkey believes that it takes good looks, not talent, to become a teen idol. Taking place in 1950s America he discovers handsome-faced Tomaso played by Paul Land and sweet-talks him into losing his saxophone and instead becoming a singer. Tomaso is then transformed into the newest pop star -- Tommy Dee. He's a heartthrob success. But when Vacarri takes on a second protégé, Caesare played by Peter Gallagher, the rivalry between the two egotistical performers spirals out of control. This is a classic example of old vs new/the fresh talent vs the even more fresher talent. Vaccarri is the one who makes dreams happen. The one who makes people into superstars. He's got the power and the influence but where does his loyalty lie? Deep down Vincent wants to be the star but doesn't have the talent or starpower. To be honest I am a stranger to these two leads Sharkey and Land, the only face I know in this cast is Gallagher. But the music is still very rocking from the 1950's era, Gallagher shines in one of his earliest roles, and it's a true example of shifting your abusive executive power from one person to another. Being very proud and insecure can pour onto others and a person's overreaching ambition can be too much to handle, we can pick up and start living again, we don't cut out the people we love, there's a fine line between being successful and wanting that success to be only yours Still, Sharkey should be commended for a performance such as this and since he's no longer around it's a treasure to be cherished for some time. 'Idolmaker' is a worthy watch for the actors, the music, and the face of the music industry succeeding or failing altogether
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
11/15/23
Full Review
Stephen C
Taylor Hackfords debut is a rich tribute to the teen idols of the early 60s before the Beatles landed and blew them all away.
Ray Sharkey is excellent as the manager who will cut his own throat to make it in the music industry.
Jeff Barry a Brill building expert provides the songs and Hackfords direction is sure and fleet of foot.
Good fun
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
07/05/23
Full Review
Roger D
The late 50's and early 60's was a special time for the teen idols in America and England. While Elvis was in the army from 1958 till 1962 , there was an opportunity to come up with a new pop sensation, this film tells the story of a singer songwriter who understands what the teen audience was looking for. This film tells that story in a graphic way , while the films ending is a bit contrived , for the most part it's a gripping story with some fine acting that holds it together. And an original soundtrack that captures that time period.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/01/23
Full Review
jon c
For 2020:
Music producer and songwriter Vincent Vacarri played by Ray Sharkey believes that it takes good looks, not talent, to become a teen idol.
Taking place in 1950s America he discovers handsome-faced Tomaso played by Paul Land and sweet-talks him into losing his saxophone and instead becoming a singer. Tomaso is then transformed into the newest pop star -- Tommy Dee. He's a heartthrob success.
But when Vacarri takes on a second protégé, Caesare played by Peter Gallagher, the rivalry between the two egotistical performers spirals out of control. This is a classic example of old vs new/the fresh talent vs the even more fresher talent.
Vaccarri is the one who makes dreams happen. The one who makes people into superstars. He's got the power and the influence but where does his loyalty lie? Deep down Vincent wants to be the star but doesn't have the talent or starpower.
To be honest I am a stranger to these two leads Sharkey and Land, the only face I know in this cast is Gallagher. But the music is still very rocking from the 1950's era, Gallagher shines in one of his earliest roles, and it's a true example of shifting your abusive executive power from one person to another.
Being very proud and insecure can pour onto others and a person's overreaching ambition can be too much to handle, we can pick up and start living again, we don't cut out the people we love, there's a fine line between being successful and wanting that success to be only yours
Still, Sharkey should be commended for a performance such as this and since he's no longer around it's a treasure to be cherished for some time.
'Idolmaker' is a worthy watch for the actors, the music, and the face of the music industry succeeding or failing altogether
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
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