Displaying items by tag: Ed Speleers

MIDAS MAN

UK, 2024, 112 minutes, Colour.

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Eddie Marsan, Emily Watson, Bill Milner, Jonah Lees, Ed Speleers, Eddie Izzard, Milo Parker.

Directed by Joe Stephenson.

The release of Midas Man coincides with the 60^th anniversary of the Beatles taking America by storm. Five years earlier, the four young physicians 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. But, it is 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 Liverpool family, Jewish, very successful in retail business, pressure from his father, Eddie Marsan, support from his mother, Emily Watson. He has an ear for contemporary music. He has an eye for talent, claiming that the store could deliver any record from any place in the world within five days. And he receives a request, a record the local lads, going 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. But, there is a focus on them as personalities, the supporting cast of young actors who resemble him quite tellingly so that there is no puzzle as to who is who, a special commendation for Jonah Lees as John Lennon, his singing, his leadership, humour, his quips.

Initially the Beatles were rather wary, cocky 20-year-olds (with John Lennon only 20 more years of life, with Sir Paul McCartney still with us) 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, 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 a successful life cut very short.

1. Memories of the Beatles? 60 years later? And memories of Brian Epstein?
2. The popularity of the Beatles in the 1960s, origins in Liverpool, playing in Hamburg, Liverpool clubs, their age, musical talent, cheekiness, the discovery by Brian Epstein, the consequences, auditions, promotions, records, worldwide…?
3. The Liverpool settings, the Epstein family, the home, the shop, record sales, the synagogue? The clubs and music, the fans? London, the recording offices, interviews? The growing success, the trips to America? The fans? The Ed Sullivan show? Epstein’s private life, the cruising at night, the police, the law, reputations?
4. The title, Brian Epstein and his success, his talent for recognising musical trends, his shop, records from anywhere in five days? His work ethic, the pressure from his father, comparisons with his mother, support from his mother? The scene of discussion in the synagogue and his ambitions to do greater things? His father’s distance, criticisms, private pride, the issue of his son’s sexuality, use of blackmail, reputation?
5. Jacob Fortune-Lloyd’s presence and performance, making Brian Epstein credible? Breaking the fourth wall, talking to the audience, confiding in the audience, explanations? His age, entrepreneurial skills, Alastair as his assistant, the request for Beatles records, going to the club, the impact, recognising their talent? Meeting them afterwards, local lads, way of speaking, John Lennon and his quips, seeing Epstein as posh? His invitation to meet them? Their coming to the office, Alastair and his reaction, the opening up of possibilities?
6. Epstein and his approaching the various record companies, the audition tape, the rejection by all the companies, the aristocratic club and their laughing at the idea of their success? The approach to George Martin, Epstein influencing him, George Martin producing their records – and their indebtedness to Martin, and the glimpse of him in the film for the first worldwide satellite performance?
7. The portrayal of the Beatles themselves, the actors and their sufficient similarity to each Beatle? Paul and his music, George the background, Pete Best and the drumming, the criticisms, Epstein and the interview with him and his being fired? Ringo Starr, coming into the group, his comic style? John Lennon and his humour, remarks, getting into trouble, the more popular than Jesus statement, at the Royal Command Performance the poor clapping and the rich jangling their jewellery?
8. Epstein, his manner, his education, his accent? His sexual orientation and the times? On the streets, the encounters, the police and the chasing? The man robbing him of his watch? The letters and asking for money? His being set up with Tex, the meeting, infatuation, the relationship, in America, Tex taking the money?
9. Epstein going to the US, the contacts in America, their friendship, setting him up, the interview with Ed Sullivan, money issues, persuasion, the results, number one on the charts, the visit to America, success? Emblematic of the Beatles in the mid-60s? The intimations of the later changes, not wanting to travel, the satellite program, the break up?
10. Indications of success with other groups, Gerry and the Pacemakers, especially with Cilla Black, her talent, discussions with her, especially at the party?
11. Epstein is workaholic, at all hours, intense, discussions with his parents, support of his mother? His father’s death, his mother saying that his father appreciated him? The drinking, intimations of gambling, the pills?
12. Report of the overdose, death at 32? The success of the Beatles with their talent but depending on his entrepreneurial skills?

IRISH WISH

US, 2024, 93 minutes, Colour.

Lindsay Lohan, Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Ayesha Curry, Elizabeth Tan, Jacinta Mulcahy, Jane Seymour, Matty McCabe, Maurice Burton.

Directed by Janeen Damian.

Not only an Irish wish, but I wish for all romantics. One might note that this film is probably very suitable for a PG-ish Girls Night Out (not a Guys Night Out at all). Or, given the streaming distribution, this is a Girls Night Out around a television screen.

In fact, this is also a “have your cake and eat it…” kind of film, except that the cake turns out not to be the final cake choice!

So, in the US, there is Mads (and a pleasant turn from Lindsay Lohan), editor, deeply in love with the author, Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos), she really responsible for the main writing of his successful novel, book signings, crowds of admirers… And, on the phone, her mother (Jane Seymour) urging her to express love for Paul. She doesn’t – and dismayed to find that one of her best friends clicks immediately with Paul and, before you know it, they are engaged, ready to go to Ireland, where he comes from, for the wedding, Mads only a maid of honour.

Off to Ireland and beautiful Irish scenery, the town and the pubs, the mansions of a wealthy family… But, on the way, a terrible mixup with her luggage and a clash with the photographer, James (Ed Speleers) and, having to take the bus after her luggage is lost, he in the seat beside her – and little skirmish of the battle of the sexes!

And here comes the wish, out in the fields, a traditional wishing stone, and a feisty unlikely St Brigid appearing and offering Mads her wish – to marry Paul Kennedy.

The photo of the engaged couple changes, Mads is now in it and it dawns on her that her wish is coming true, received by Paul’s family, Paul’s attentions, phone calls to her mother (who has more airport accidents than Mads), fittings for the dress, and a whole lot of awkward situations. And, in her bridal gown fitting, she glimpses and Brigid in the street, chases her, crashes into a car and falls into the lap of the driver – of course, James. The family is delighted because they are after a photographer for the wedding.

Of course, we know what is going to happen, but we want to see how it will really turn out – actually, quite a raucous wedding scene. We don’t know why Mads didn’t go out to the wishing seat earlier to re-wish but, eventually, she does, and St Brigid is more than mischievous again.

Happy ending – and true love and true wish fulfilment!