Customer Reviews

The Idolmaker

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"I've been up, I've been down, I've been playing women all around ..." It amazes me that this great movie seemed to have bypassed modern audiences to the extent that no-one even remembers it anymore. I remember when it was released in South Africa in 1981, my best friend and I went to see it four times in the same week. At that time, we were uncritically into movies about music, rock 'n roll and disco (Grease; Saturday Night Fever; Thank God it's Friday; I Wanna Hold your Hand etc)and this movie delivered big time in terms of our low expectations. As I've matured, movies like these have either dated rather badly (Saturday Night Fever) or gradually revealed their mediocrity (Thank God it's Friday). The Idolmaker has only become better! This is truly a movie that succeeds in being all things to all people. As kids, it delivered the most basic kind of entertainment that made going to the movies a weekly pleasure. As adults, it delivers an intelligent, bittersweet and admirably unsentimental look at the unforgiving dynamics of an industry and culture prizing image and packaging over substance and content. Featuring a remarkably confident career best performance by Ray Sharkey ably supported by the always reliable Joe Pantoliano and a suitably weeny Peter Gallagher, The Idolmaker is the forgotten classic of the musical drama genre. In a funny way, given the setting, the neighbourhood, the wiseguy attitude - I've always kind of considered The Idolmaker as a kind of sub-Scorsese movie - an upmarket, glamorous companion piece to Mean Streets, Raging Bull and other such Italian American neighbourhood tales. But that would be unfair to director Taylor Hackford, who has fashioned a remarkably original stand-alone homage to the hardworking, entrepreneurial, fame-hungry neighbourhood kids who were the real, unseen backbone of the rock 'n roll industry. Breezy and pacy, yet tinged with profound pathos, The Idolmaker is the best of its kind. The fact that it has a terrific soundtrack that'll have you humming all day doesn't hurt either. This is the best, most insightful and intellectually stimulating movie about rock 'n roll ever made. Add The Idolmaker to This is Spinal Tap and A Hard Day's Night in your collection and you'll own the only movies you need to about the music industry and the stupidities -and undeniable attraction - of its attendant celebrity. Oh yes - and I guarantee that after watching this movie, you'll never be able to take groups like the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync seriously again.

Saw this movie in 1980 and was very impressed with the soundtrack. I then purchased the album and have always wondered why it was not issued in cd form. As for the movie I rate the story and music better than most musicals. Ray Sharkey dancing in the background while Tommy D is singing is a highlight. The only unbelievable aspect is the Memphis part of the movie. I have often wondered what became of Paul Land he was fabulous as Tommy D. I now show my daughter the musical scenes and she just wants to watch them over and over again. Great music Great movie

This movie has some great performances by Ray Sharkey and in one of his first roles, by Joe Pantoliano as Sharkey's right hand man. Maureen McCormack also has a brief role.

The music is excellent and drives the movie. I've been searching for the soundtrack for years and can't find it.

With today's current crop of cookie cutter acts, like Backstreet Boys developed by Maurice Starr types, there is talk of a remake of The Idolmaker. I hope that it results in generation of interest in the original and its soundtrack

Forget 'Spinal Tap'--it's purely satire; and yes, 'A Hard Day's Night' is a classic.
But, for my money...and I've been a musician for 40 years, and started in the garage-band days of the '60s -- the three best rock and roll movies that portray what the business is REALLY all about -- are 'The Idolmaker', 'Eddie & the Cruisers' and 'That Thing You Do'. Watch those three, and you'll understand the music business.

I watched this movie as a little girl and I have loved it ever since. I have seen it hundreds of times and I'm glad to see it out on DVD. If you haven't seen it, then you're missing a great movie that should be a classic!! The music, actors and acting are fantastic and the soundtrack is a part of my life.

I remember seeing this film in the theater in 1981 and its so great to be able to buy it on Amazon so many years later, to see it again!

The movie itself is a fast-paced, entertaining glimpse into the world of the Italian 'teen singing idols' who came out of Philly and Jersey in the 1950's-1960's. I don't even know if this movie was ever a hit, I had never seen it on cable or on tv, but Ray Sharkey's performance was so unforgettable, that almost thirty years later, when I accidentally found it on Amazon, I bought the DVD becasue I just had to see it again.

Ray Sharkey, an amazing, oscar-worthy actor, turned in a passionate, riveting performance in the starring role as the Idolmaker and then went on to do an equally great job as mobster Sonny Steelgrave in the 1980's hit tv series Wiseguy.

Despite the fact that he was a rising star with real acting chops, his career was cut tragically short, from what I understand, and he died young, a few years later.

Ray Sharkey's death was a great loss to the film industry. I can only imagine what he could have done, if he had only had more time.

I agree. This was a great inspirational movie for any show biz hopeful who likes to watch a rags to riches story.

...taking some "Moe" and turning him into a major rock star!

We want Caesare...we want Ceasare!

This movie provides a glimpse of screaming fans, ripped clothes, profiling on the stage, gazing in the eyes of a fan in the crowd and entertaining rock star routines of falling on the knees, screaming into the microphone and 1/2 splits...

The recipe for a great concert!

I'm constantly observing the many celebrities often seen in the news and wonder who are the "hidden" faces guiding many of the celebrities as either a dance choreographer or image consultant.

The next time you read or hear about a new band, ask yourself, are the member's profiles created by some mysterious entertainment mogul? Here is a band profile example:

One member fits the boy/girl next door image
One member fits the bad boy/girl image
One member fits the troubled youth image
One member fits the innocent boy/girl image

Then...add a choreographer to teach the group a few basic dance routines and you have a potentially "commercial" band.

Another great movie along this rags to riches theme is, "The Jacksons: An American Dream."

God bless my satellite package, loaded with all of the premium movie channels. Disgusted with network TV and basic cable, any time of the day I can catch something decent. Often I peak at something I've never seen or heard of, and one morning I watched this movie. From the start the script, cast and performances keep you watching. A classic, often used storyline is given life and color by Taylor Hackford's direction. The movie is a perfect blend of everything: just the right amount of screen time for each character to produce the right balance for a story that never bores, always keeps you on your toes, and thoroughly entertains. So many familiar faces in this movie that I had no idea had put out such quality at such early stages in their career, including Peter Ghallager, Joe Pantoliano plus a magnificent performance by Ray Sharkey, someone who I'd heard of but had never knowingly seen in anything. His tour de force performance was offset only by the heartbreak I felt when reading his biography. The use of music in this movie is the glue holding it all together, particularly the film's score. Combined with the great script and performances, you really feel this movie, right down tot he last bittersweet note of the last song sung. An absolute delight to have tripped across when scanning the premium channels on my dish one morning.

since being a musician myself many years ago, i was pleasantly surprised the way the movie was so accurate as far as the music business goes... the actors did a great job and was a starting point in some of their careers.. if you love music, you will love this film....

I don't remember the year, but I was about 15 and we had just gotten cable in our area and we were so excited we were just flipping channels to see what we had! Well anyway, we came across The Idolmaker and it became one of our, my family's, most enjoyable movies. We watched it over and over and over. I can also remember sitting next to the tv and taping the songs. To me, it can be considered one of those, what they call, a sleeper classic. I just love this movie and can't wait to get my copy! Ray Sharkey was the best and he made the ending so touching. The whole movie brings out almost every emotion. You will laugh, cry, get upset, and even feel slight disgust. One for the collector's.