Starring: Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Eddie Marsan, Emily Watson, Bill Milner, Jonah Lees, Ed Speleers, Eddie Izzard, Milo Parker
Distributor: Transmission Films
Runtime: 112 mins. Reviewed in Aug 2024
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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On 9 November 1961, a man named Brian descended the stairs to a cellar in Liverpool and changed the world forever.
The release of Midas Man coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Beatles taking America by storm. Five years earlier, the four young musicians from Liverpool were playing in local clubs, going over to Hamburg, prospect of spending their lives playing in local venues. But, this is not what happened. And the reason? Entrepreneur Brian Epstein.
In the many stories and histories of the Beatles, Brian Epstein is a presence, sometimes upfront, more frequently behind the scenes. But here is a film that brings him centre-screen. It is his personal story. The story of a man with great energy, an eye for talent, and a commitment to the promotion of this talent. He is played by Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (and Fortune making a connection with the Midas touch).
Epstein belonged to a prominent and successful Jewish Liverpool family. He is pressured by his father (Marsan) and supported by his mother (Watson). He has an ear for contemporary music and an eye for talent. He claims his store could deliver any record from any place in the world within five days. And he receives a request, a record of the local lads, so he goes to see them in one of the Liverpool clubs.
As regards the Beatles and their songs, their singing is included but not their songs, just references to them. There is, however, a focus on them as personalities. The supporting cast of young actors who resemble them quite tellingly so that there is no puzzle as to who is who, and a special commendation for Jonah Lees as John Lennon.
Initially the Beatles were rather wary, cocky 20-year-olds, considering Brian Epstein particularly posh, a different league from their own experience. However, they agree to a meeting, an audition, Epstein working hard, their being turned down by every record company but given a hearing by George Martin (who does appear later in the film but was their supportive producer).
The film also touches on Brian Epstein’s managing Gerry and the Pacemakers and some sequences with another protégé, Cilla Black. Since the film is about Epstein more than the Beatles, it shows his efforts, the contact with Ed Sullivan and persuading him to feature the Beatles, leading to their number one on the charts as well as their American success.
But, Epstein is a complex character – a workaholic and driven, touches of gambling, relying on drink and an increasing number of pills to keep him going. And, there is the issue of his sexual orientation, the status of British law on homosexuals at that the period, episodes of cruising, police pursuit, blackmail, relationships and betrayal. And the response of his parents, the death of his father, his father’s reticence in praising him, his reliance on his mother. Brian Epstein died of an accidental overdose of drugs when he was only 32. A successful life, but one cut very short.
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