Telstar – 2008 | 119 mins | Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

An offbeat biopic of little-known maverick British songwriter and music producer Joe Meek, whose ground-breaking recording techniques and otherworldly pop records made him the premier independent pop producer in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Aside from his fiery temper and bizarre eccentricities, Telstar also explores Meek’s homosexuality, most notably through his obsession with peroxide recording artist Heinz. Written and directed by Nick Moran, and based on his play, the films chaotic approach occasionally becomes a little frustrating and unfortunately never explores his character.

Moran assembles a mixed cast that includes a terrific central performance by Con O’Neill, and strong support from Kevin Spacey, Pam Ferris and JJ Feild. Unfortunately the cast features overexposed television performers James Corden and Ralf Little, and a number of unnecessary celebrity cameos by the likes of Jimmy Carr and musicians Justin Hawkins and Carl Barat.

As with the play, the film skips Joe Meek’s childhood and instead takes us to his makeshift recording studio, above a leather goods shop on the Holloway Road, and the beginning of his partnership with painfully shy songwriter Geoff Goddard (Tom Burke) in 1961. The in-house session musician’s central to the story and Meeks wing-and-prayer recording are The Outlaws; drummer Clem Cattini, bass player Chas Hodges and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Our first visit to Holloway Road coincides with the arrival of ‘Biggles’ actor John Leyton to record what would become Meeks first #1 single – the eerie Johnny Remember Me, which is heavily influenced by the occult – something that would become a morbid obsession for the producer.

Complications arise with the arrival of talent-free German-born singer Heinz Burt, who the troubled gay producer embarks on an affair with. Heinz is recruited as bass player for The Tornados, who in 1962 top the UK and US charts with Telstar. Meeks obsession with spirituality and over-reliance on amphetamines begins to adversely affect his decision making. Joe is soon under pressure from financial backer Major Banks, the royalties from Telstar are caught up in a legal wrangle and Meek is lavishing money on one-hit wonder Heinz. Meek is arrested for persistent importuning, and becomes increasingly erratic and paranoid, leading to his tragic downfall.