Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door

Just finished watching this moving tribute to a great of the Music, Theatre industry a movie that gives people more insight into the great achievements of Peter Allen. Even as a fellow Australian I didn't realise all the songs he wrote for so many successful artists.

That said the filmmaker takes you on an emotional ride that presents so honestly, you could be hearing it straight from Peter's mouth.

The scenery and film direction is a true picture of Australia (well for those scenes in Australia). The acting and cast were great and Joel Jackson as Peter Allen really gave the movie the energy that Peter Allen brought to everything he did along with numerous great performances to name a few, Sara West, Sigrid Thornton, Lucy Honigman . A wonderful heartwarming film worth watching, buying on DVD and keeping.

I read the review from user (Michael Radny (Perth, Australia)) all I can say is this person must be a homophobia as they state "who cares about the dead) well I do, Pablo Picasso, Mozart, Winston Churchill and that is to name lees than 1% of the people who have been a part of making the world a better place as did Peter Allen.

Channel Seven has put up a show that they called "the event of the year". However, the person in charge of the marketing did a shocker of a job showcasing Peter Allen as this low budget, horrible acting mini-series. But I have it a go anyway and to my expectations, this show truly was awful. The acting is so cheesy along with its stale writing. Also I gave little or no care whatsoever to Peter Allen himself as he was portrayed in this show.

In reality, people who were and are a fan of Peter Allen may find some merit in this show, but for a more modern audience who either don't know or don't care about a dead washed up performer will find nothing to enjoy. Definitely not targeted towards the younger demographic, and the older demographic should avoid this atrocity at all costs as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film (sometimes shown in 2 or 4 parts). The cast is amazing! Everyone involved in its making should be very proud indeed. So sad when i think of all those talented men and women we lost to aids.... This is more than worth your time!!

Having read some of the reviews posted here I am greatly disappointed by the first one posted by someone who seems to be homophobic. It was apparent from his head shot that he is far to young to even remember the time Peter Allen lived in. His struggle for success in USA was always over-powered by the presence of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli both of whom dominated at the time.

Having worked in the entertainment industry all my life and lived through all those years, what was depicted in this TV movie was absolutely the way it was. The performances were great. Young Ky Baldwin has a very successful career ahead of him.

Great TV viewing and thank you 7 for bringing the life of Peter Allen to us all.

On another note I have been watching the Sunday reruns of A Place to Call Home -- Australia's Dynasty - Disappointed to hear Season3wille o Foxtel as I do not subscribe there. Love this show as I also remember those years with great clarity.

Peter Allen grow up in a time in Australia that was extremely difficult to be gay , while his talent was aways there from a young age it was always going to be hard for him. Most bio pictures tend to gloss over the extremely difficult parts of a persons life . This film tell Peter story as like a Greek tragedy turned into a success story. The acting is honest and well played, Joel Jackson portrayed Peter Allen was mesmerising, Rebecca Gidget as Peters mum was both touching and beautiful, Sigrid Thornton Brough Judy Garland back to life . The only drawback to this two part min series was Greg Poppleton who's wooden performance brought the standard down , his stilted wooden performance as an amateur judge was something this production didn't need.