Brian Epstein, he’s the man, the man with the Midas touch, the guide us touch, the chap who shepherded a talented bunch of Liverpool lads to the attention of the world.
Son of a store owner, young Brian had ambition, drive and an uncanny talent for discovering talent.
When he set foot in the Cavern Club in November 1961 to watch The Beatles perform, he saw something no one else seemed to see – a glimmer of gold. Sharply dressed and well-spoken, Brian was nevertheless a miner, who discovered a mother lode with the Fab Four.
MIDAS MAN is his story, the emotional and often funny sweep of how Epstein polished four scruffy lads who were basically nowhere men and in a matter of months turned them into a sensational something- a global phenomenon. A man of strong moral fibre, an unwavering belief in his artists and a tremendous tenacity in the face of getting turned down by every big record label, Epstein was The Beatles’ champion.
MIDAS MAN explores not only his management of Beatlemania, but the close relationships with his family and friends and his lifelong search for love at a time when homosexuality was considered criminal or an illness. It brings an all too brief life of an extraordinary man who managed to reset popular culture.
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, seen recently as the Duke of Buckingham in The Three Musketeers, is quite remarkable as Epstein, totally at ease breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience about his feelings and dealings.
Emily Watson as his supportive mum, Queenie, and Eddie Marsan as his doubtful yet proud dad, are a treat. Darci Shaw, who was fantastic as young Garland in Judy shines as Cilla Black. She’d sure make a swell Sandie Shaw!
- Directed by Joe Stephenson and written by Brigit Grant and Jonathan Wakeham, MIDAS MAN may be a little too reverent and pedestrian to achieve all the dramatic potential of the man and the era, but it remains a completely fascinating biopic.
