Review of Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2008) by Chris F — 02 Feb 2010

Based on a critically acclaimed play by James Hicks and Nick Moran, and directed by Moran. This a film which tells the rise and fall of Joe Meek, a man who once had lots of hits, but his violent outbursts and tempers and his refusal to comprimise proved to be his ultimate downfall.

It's a low-key but engaging insight into the life of a man who certainly wasn't there. Joe Meek (Con O'Neill), part owner of RPM Sounds, based at 304 Holloway Road, London. It was over 2 floors, he'd made recording studios out of all the rooms, much to the chagrin of the landlady Violet Shenton (Pam Ferris).

He co-owned RPM Sounds with plastics magnate Major Wilfred Banks (Kevin Spacey), amongst Meek's acts were The Tornado's, and Meek wrote and produced a hit record for them, Telstar, which went to #1 in America.

Meek would have a homosexual affair with one of his young discoveries, Heinz Burt (JJ Feild), but Meek alienated everyone around him, and he practiced the occult more and more. It's a very intimate and down-to-earth drama with an offbeat feel and look, but it's engaging and doesn't drag.

O'Neill is spot-on perfect as Meek, believable and terrifying. Moran's direction captures the mood of the early 1960's well, and it has a brilliant supporting cast including James Corden, Rita Tushingham, Jimmy Carr, John Leyton, Carl Barât and Justin Hawkins!!