Telstar (Telstar: The Joe Meek Story) (2008)

83% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(381 ratings)

Adapted from Nick Moran and James Hicks' critically-lauded stage play, Telstar tells the remarkable tale of eccentric, London-based songwriter/producer Joe Meek (Con O'Neill), whose innovative recording techniques ushered in a bold new era of rock 'n' roll in the late 1950s. Tone deaf and musically… More Adapted from Nick Moran and James Hicks' critically-lauded stage play, Telstar tells the remarkable tale of eccentric, London-based songwriter/producer Joe Meek (Con O'Neill), whose innovative recording techniques ushered in a bold new era of rock 'n' roll in the late 1950s. Tone deaf and musically illiterate, Meek nevertheless had a lifelong obsession with music and a knack for producing. Though Meek's tireless work ethic ensured a tumultuous relationship with his band, his ramshackle, apartment recording studio provided just enough space to record, and experiment with such cutting-edge techniques as sampling and distortion. Meanwhile, his landlady Mrs. Shenton does her best to put up with the racket, and his main backer Major Wilfred Banks (Kevin Spacey) provides the cash to produce such hits as "Be-Bop-A-Lula", " Johnny Remember Me", and, of course, "Telstar". ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Nick Moran
Written By: Nick Moran, James Cresson
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: May 30, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Mar 19, 2012
Studio: PreviewNetworks

Critic Reviews

Derek Elley, Variety
Fairly crackles with character and period flavor for its first 90 minutes but is let down by a repetitive and tiresomely maudlin final half-hour.
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine
Nick Moran definitely emphasizes certain characteristics of the idiosyncratic producer over others for affect, but this is still as fascinating portraits in parts.
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Even if 'Telstar' can't quite get the measure of its fascinating material, its pluck and ambition prove infectious enough to outweigh its flaws.
Ali Catterall, Film4
Telstar is an embarrassing farrago, an amateurish, incoherent pantomime of a piece, stuffed with interchangeable characters, a sketchy, largely unsympathetic leading role, and - betraying its stage play origins - unspeakably stilted dialogue.
Kevin Maher, Times [UK]
This is Meek's show, and as a wild and hostile central character (the bellowed phrase "F*** off" is never far from his lips) he is likely to fascinate and alienate in equal measure.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Nick Moran's film, based on the stage-play he wrote with James Hicks, is an eccentric, sometimes underpowered but always watchable story about the early-60s prehistory of pop culture.
Sukhdev Sandhu, Daily Telegraph
The Meek they present is closer to being a character in Little Britain than the mysterious, proto-avant-garde sonic scientist revered by legions of contemporary electronic musicians. A little more weirdness would have been very welcome.
Kingsley Marshall, Little White Lies
O'Neill's performance is spellbinding, with Moran commendably allowing the actor the necessary time and space on the screen to believably cast his darkness upon those around him.
Mayer Nissim, Digital Spy
Like Meek himself, Telstar draws you in despite its its imperfections, which don't detract too much from a bold take on an undertold and fascinating story.
Rob Daniel, Sky Movies
It's a solidly-made, enjoyable story that manages to rope in some notable cameos (can anyone spot Jimmy Carr) and shows Moran is a name to watch as a director.
Kevin Harley, Total Film
Clumsily plotted and psychologically messy as it is, Moran's pop biopic is a ripe bustle of business, given substance and conviction by well-rooted performances.
Alastair McKay, Uncut Magazine [UK]
Moran's film is not empty nostalgia. It is not The Boat That Rocked. It should be filed alongside Stephen Frears' Joe Orton biopic, Prick Up Your Ears, because its breezy exterior conceals a thoughtful consideration of a strange moment in British pop.
Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]
Like Meek's music, it's not much good and definitely not sophisticated, but I enjoyed it.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
Telstar is a rambling, chaotic mess that's got missed opportunity written all over it.
Mark Adams, Sunday Mirror [UK]
Telstar is still an oddly compulsive story of an exuberant mess of a man who played a key role in British pop history.
, Sun Online
Nick Moran's directorial debut is, in fact, remarkably light until it nears its tragic climax.
Nigel Andrews, Financial Times
By the film's end we feel we have had too much of a good thing - but since that is what the hero died of, it seems an appropriate sensation to leave us with.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
Some nice moments, though not all that convincing in its lament for a great lost talent.
Allan Hunter, Daily Express
The film lurches uncertainly in tone from frisky nostalgia to fatalistic drama without really getting under the skin of one of the forgotten pioneers of British pop.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
An entertaining, energetic and frequently offbeat biopic with a superb cast and a terrific central performance.

Read all 21 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Roy G

It took Nick Moran the best part of 12 years to get this made. And the end result's screamingly energetic, wildly uneven, gay as a goose and at times, utter genius. As a Joe Meek biopic, it's perfect.