The Idolmaker (1980)

Overrated

The first must-see film of the year.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

The acting in this movie is really good.

My brother and I are in our 40's and have been watching, and STILL talk, about this movie and how great it is all the time. We call this movie a "chorestopper" meaning no matter what chore you are doing when you see this movie on t.v., you must stop immediately and watch it, again. The music is wonderful and I am constantly telling people to watch it. I hope at least one person did. In a time where there is so much garbage on t.v., this movie makes me feel great when I finish watching it. I am a huge fan of Peter Gallagher and only watch him on t.v. now because it reminds me of this movie. The cast was wonderful, the music was great and I will forever be a fan of this movie.

I just read the comments from My DarkStar and I absolutely agree. This is one of my favorite films of all time!! I saw this movie when I was a kid and i Have grown up watching it and listening to the soundtrack. It was directed by Taylor Hackford who recently directed 'Ray' another outstanding movie. You can actually see some of the techniques he used from 'The Idolmaker' in 'Ray'. The only thing that would make me even happier is to have the soundtrack of 'The Idolmaker'released on cd. If you haven't seen it yet, I advise you to check it out, it's not hard to find anymore. It is available on DVD. The songs are catchy and catch the feel of the time period. The choreography (by Denny Terrio) is a bit dated, but its still fun to watch. Also, it was reported about 2 or 3 years ago, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, was supposed to do a remake. It would of been interesting to see what would have become of it, but I'm sure it wouldn't have topped the original. Haven't heard any updates about it though. ENJOY!!!

It was fall of 1980 and I was listening to NBC Radio ( A.M. ). At the time, that station played great music of the day. I remember calling up a radio contest which said that you could win tickets to the premiere of a new movie called " The Idolmaker " at Radio City Music Hall in New York City ( Manhatten ). I could not believe that I actually got thru and when I did was told that I had won. They wanted my name, address and phone number and told me that I would be receiving tickets to the premiere of the movie. What made matters even more great was the fact that my ex-husband worked for Rockefeller Center, not NBC otherwise we wouldn't have been eligible for winning these tickets. What luck! The premiere of this movie was amazing!!! I loved the acting, and the singing was to die for. After the movie ended, the stars of the show got up on the Radio City stage and spoke a few words thanking everyone who attended. I was privileged to have been seated in the 5th row from front. Peter Gallagher was so handsome in person as was Paul Land. Ray Sharkey ( may he rest in peace ) was at his finest hour. Even though this movie received a bad review and it didn't do too well in the theaters, I believe that many people were not given the opportunity to see what a fine movie this really was. Prince and Michael Jackson are big fans of this movie and for good reason. " You can be anything you want to be " , and that is the motto of this movie. Singer, songwriter, artist-you can make it!

On the heels of "Grease" (which created a brief wave of '50's nostalgia), but at the same basic time as "Can't Stop the Music" (which was a glitzy, ridiculous bust) this unusual semi-musical film made it's debut and sort of drifted into obscurity afterwards. The story showcases the exploits of Sharkey, a songwriter with drive and creativity to spare, who desperately wants success in the music business, but realizes that he doesn't have what it takes physically to make it. He plucks a slightly more attractive kid (Land) out of a local band and forges him into a singing sensation, planning each detail and exacting control over him. Once Land is solidly in place, Sharkey starts in with young Gallagher to repeat his success (partially to prove himself to his own father.) Feldshuh is a teen magazine editor who finds herself caught up in the hoopla of these prefab idols and in Sharkey's enthusiasm. The film has several things going for it, not the least of which is Sharkey's terrific performance. He is completely believable and compelling in the role, his charisma taking the story a long way. The always reliable Feldshuh (who recently made a minor splash in "Kissing Jessica Stein") is saddled with a pretty demeaning role, yet manages to get in a few decent moments. There are several moderately recognizable faces in the cast who do nice jobs (including a nearly unrecognizable Pantoliano.) Land, who showed promise in this film, somehow completely petered out shortly after, as did Pec, who makes an impression as Sharkey's mobster-like father. Gallagher (playing a 16-year-old at 25!) is also showcased to good effect, despite the occasional silliness of the material and a lot of make-up. What keeps the film from becoming fully satisfying is the limited period detail (mostly just some cars, a few poodle skirts and some fun knit tops and peg legged pants), the predictability of the story (a manager who creates stars and then loses them to their own ego is hardly a fresh concept!) and the sometimes disjointed flow of the script (ironically, this is due mostly to the decision to present the numbers intact....many viewers will appreciate this, but it leaves little room for characterization and connecting plot points.) Characters appear and disappear and have sudden changes of attitude. However, the film is not really deep enough to have allowed for a longer running time. Also, the numbers are more along the lines of the '80's than the early '60's. This doesn't mean they aren't entertaining....just not accurate. They are sort of early '60's song run through an early '80's filter. Adding to the camp factor are McCormick (trying to escape her "Brady" stigma as a tarty journalist) and Merv Griffin's favorite dancer Terrio as the choreographer of the decidedly un-'60's numbers. Despite Sharkey's romance with Feldshuh, there is a somewhat homoerotic feel to his obsession with the boys. Sadly, in real life, Sharkey died of AIDS in 1993. Director Hackford would later direct the blockbuster "An Officer and a Gentleman" which also dealt with life makeovers.