Mersey Boys: A Letter from Al Moran

Mersey Boys: A Letter from Al Moran, based on a novel by Steven G. Farrell, combines a bit of mystery and history to deliver an interesting and entertaining concept. The story line instantly drew me in with the discovery of a letter to 'Mike' and I was fully invested after the seamless transition from a modern day study to a yesteryear bar. The flashback scene was authentic with a nostalgic feel that made me believe I had been transported back in time. The ensemble cast was capable and believable in their roles. This short film left me feeling that Al Moran was the most interesting man in the world and I definitely want to see more of his story - please!

This short film presents a prologue of sorts to what one hopes eventually becomes a full-length film presentation of The Mersey Boys, based on the wonderful novel of the same title by Steven Farrell, an almost "parallel universe" Beatles story, based largely in history and biography, through the eyes and pen of Dr. Albert Moran. Quite well done and generally well-acted, although this reviewer found the performances of the John and, to a lesser extent, young Moran characters in the bar scene a little tight. Jessica Messenger as Ginny the barmaid is a natural. All in all, recommended for Beatles fans, with the hope that it becomes a full-length film.

This short-film is understated, with no frills that lays bare the raw talent of acting by the entire cast, packed with colourful dialogue, substance and spark between the characters. There is an electrically-charged atmosphere in the pub, even before the guitars are switched on! Raining in both the present and past helps make what is a very cohesive and subtle switch from now to then.

The early years of The Beatles present a rare and intriguing insight into their way of life and any glimpse we can glean from that time, even when engineered through fiction, is priceless. Inside an intense 10-minutes this compact short-film successfully captures that - the screenplay is compelling and showcases the changing attitudes that were taking place at that time.

Cultures collide amicably between a young John Lennon and an American Professor, Al Moran, and the playful banter from John that ensues melts away barriers between the two. Some people can stay longer in an hour than others can in a week and this short-film epitomises that. I love the camera work - very 'fly-on-the-wall' and I really felt like I was there - just another guy leaning against the bar!

We're coming up to the 60th Anniversary of The Beatles' 1st gig in the South of England later this year, that took place in my hometown of Aldershot on the 9th December. You could say that this was the low-point of their career when only 18 people turned up and, although just a blip, the only way was up from here! I heard Ringo Starr once said "We didn't get any bigger than Liverpool - we just got more Cities".

Everything about this Production is World Class, right down to the costumes.

Well Done & Congratulations!

Sean Graham

We know a lot about The Beatles. But what lurks in the minds and hearts of many are the private and public encounters, both real and imagined that shaped people's memories of The Fab Four. In Steve Farrell's fictious (or not), rendering of memory and encounter (Mersey Boys: A Letter from Al Moran)--we get an intimate knowing across intergenerational time and space. He offers a memoire of what was, and maybe what never was. But through the excavation of a life gone-by, we come to know of a particular life-lived, which also offers a fresh-take on the boys from Mersey who changed the world through music. Kudos for Farrell who takes us, and himself into the scene of knowing and rediscovering the past, and what he (and we), never knew. Bryant Keith Alexander, PhD, Communication, Cultural and Performance Studies scholar.

I really enjoyed this short film and for it to be kinda foreshadowing a much larger story is what makes it very interesting and intriguing to me. Great job to the cast and writers.