Midas Man

I've been waiting for this for years. I still remember back in 1967, in the week of my 12th birthday, reading that Brian Epstein had been found dead and knowing it was a big deal. A few years ago I kept receiving emails from the producers of Midas Man seeking investors and although I was a huge Beatles fan, I didn't/couldn't oblige. And now, finally, the film is out and... what an huge disappointment. Whoever had the idea of having Epstein (an adequate, if uninspiring Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) constantly talking to the camera, as if filling in the bits they couldn't film, did the project a great disservice. It just detracted from whatever drama the rest of the film managed to generate - and there wasn't much of that. In the end it just seemed to wander through the various dramas of his life, without ever making the viewer feel anything. Not even having Eddie Marsden and Emily Lloyd as his parents could save this. As letdowns go, this is right up there.

Midas Man tackles the story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager behind the rise of The Beatles, and delivers a focused, often insightful look at his journey from meeting the Fab Four to navigating the early waves of Beatlemania. Refreshingly, the film avoids detours into Epstein's childhood or lengthy setup, diving right into the pivotal moment when Epstein encounters the Beatles. It's exactly the timeline fans want to see, offering an experience that feels true to Epstein's impact on music history.

The performances are, for the most part, strong. Jacob Fortune-Lloyd's portrayal of Epstein is nuanced and genuine. He brings out the depth of Epstein's character-an ambitious yet vulnerable manager whose life was as complex as the band he helped shape. Fortune-Lloyd avoids any wooden stereotypes, instead delivering a believable and sensitive portrayal. However, some casting choices miss the mark visually. Jonah Lees as Lennon feels jarringly short, and while his performance captures some of Lennon's essence, the physical mismatch is hard to overlook. Similarly, Charley Palmer Rothwell as George Martin and John McCaffery as Mal Evans, though they have limited screen time, don't quite match the stature of the real figures, leaving some of the visual casting decisions a bit off.

However, Midas Man redeems itself with an outstanding performance from Blake Richardson as Paul McCartney. Richardson's portrayal captures Paul's charisma and wit in a way few actors have achieved in past Beatles films. He stands out as the highlight of the supporting cast, though fans may wish he had more screen time.

A poetic touch at the film's conclusion sees Epstein crossing Abbey Road-a nod to the famous cover of the Beatles' last album-a metaphorical and respectful close to Epstein's journey, though perhaps a bittersweet reminder of his absence from that iconic era.

There are some notable omissions that fans will feel keenly. The moment Lennon tells Epstein, "Okay then Brian, manage us," is left out-a line that marked a pivotal turning point in The Beatles' story. Its absence is a missed opportunity to capture the power of that early decision. Also absent is any exploration of Epstein's rumored fascination with Lennon, a subject of much speculation and possibly a deeper emotional undercurrent in Epstein's life. Additionally, the lack of Beatles music in the film is undeniably disappointing, though understandable given the high licensing fees. Still, a biopic on Epstein feels somewhat incomplete without the soundtrack that defined his career.

Midas Man is a well-crafted film that offers Beatles fans a fresh look at the pivotal role Brian Epstein played in the band's meteoric rise. Despite a few missed opportunities and the absence of Beatles music, the film captures the spirit of Epstein's ambition and the transformative period of the early '60s with style and sensitivity. While it may not replace the thrill of the original story, Midas Man shines as a heartfelt tribute to the "fifth Beatle" and offers an enjoyable, insightful experience that fans of the Fab Four won't want to miss.

I enjoyed the film the whole way through. It's a more calm film compared to other biopics but that feels fitting with Brian being backstage compared to the Beatles. It's interesting having the Beatles be more background/side characters, not a take we've really gotten to see before.

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd is excellent in it and I thought the actors playing the Beatles really caught their essence, although maybe not so much Ringo, but that may have just been down to him looking least like his character.

Having not known the story of Brian Epstein before, I'm so glad that his story is being told and the remarkable man that he was is being honoured.

The story of The Beatles is so well known that finding a new angle on it is almost impossible, however, this film tries by telling the story from the point of view of their manager, Brian Epstein. It succeeds well early on, recreating The Cavern club, the Epstein music store, and the very first meetings, but then the story becomes ever so familiar; Beatlemania; Abbey Road and George Martin; breaking America; the Ed Sullivan show etc etc, with a smattering of Epstein's ups and downs and his complex private life, which is portrayed as ultimately lonely and in turmoil, particularly in trying to deal with his homosexuality when it was still illegal and taboo. Jacob Fortune-Lloyd does an excellent job as Epstein, with good or passable cameos of George Martin, The Beatles themselves, Cilla and others, but I felt just maybe a bit more of the really early story, less of the so well trodden saga, might have made this more impressive. The film also deals well with the problem (because of the cost of song rights) of not including actual Beatles music. Not a failure, and definitely worth a look.

My Review - Midas Man In Cinemas now My Rating 8/10

It's been a little while since any movie showing at the Cinema has caught my attention enough to make the effort of going to see it on the big screen.

Midas Man certainly was worth the effort I found it entertaining surprisingly moving and so well written, directed and acted .

This story depicts the early meteoric rise to fame of the Beatles known as the Fab Four from Liverpool with an emphasis on Brian Epstein their first Manager who saw something in this now legendary group of musicians that no one else could see .

If Brian Epstein had not managed ,groomed and promoted The Beatles they probably would have gone unnoticed .

Epstein not only introduced the Beatles to the world as well as Cilla Black , Gerry and the Pacemakers and many more performers. Epstein also helped put their U. K. hometown Liverpool on the World map by introducing The Mersey Sound which heralded in the 1960's that influenced changing musical tastes and fashion forever.

Unlike Elvis Presley's manipulative manager Colonel Tom Parker Brian Epstein kept his promise to John Lennon when he said if I manage this group you won't find anyone else in the business who would devote more time or effort to make the Beatles the most famous band on earth.

Brian Epstein is played so well by Jacob Fortune -Lloyd a fine actor who manages to capture the emotional turmoil that plagued Brian Epstein who had to hide his homosexuality at a time when gay men lived daily with the prospect of imprisonment and blackmail .

His public professional persona was of a successful eventually very wealthy promoter and entrepreneur but his private life was at times chaotic and dangerous eventually leading to his premature death at only 32 years old .

This is a very interesting movie I enjoyed the theatrical technique of breaking the fourth wall when Epstein occasionally talks to the audience it's very effective in this instance.

I also enjoyed the performances of the supporting cast that includes Emily Watson who plays Malka Epstein ,Brian's protective and supportive mother and Eddie Marsan as Harry the father that Brian Epstein longed for approval and acceptance but never really received.

Jonah Lees is very impressive as John Lennon he has some great scenes as does Darci Shaw as Cilla Black and Blake Richardson as Paul McCartney.

Congratulations to Director Joe Stephenson and writers Brigit Grant and Jonathan Wakeham on creating such an interesting and entertaining movie .

The timeframe of this movie takes place over only six years from Brian Epstein first discovering the Beatles in 1961 minus Ringo in the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool to the groundbreaking Beatles " Our World " first live Satellite performance on June 25th 1967 which reached over 400 million viewers across 25 countries.

Six months later Brian Epstein tragically was found dead but he certainly did keep his promise and loyalty to The Beatles who by then had eclipsed Elvis Presley's fame and their legacy stands today with a song book of hits that have been performed by every great singing artist from a time when music and lyrics came first and live performers performed without gimmicks cgi or lip syncing.

I'll be interested in seeing the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles biopic which apparently has the rights to use more of the Beatles music than Midas Man was able to feature but as the emphasis is on Brian Epstein the man it doesn't matter.