Telstar (Nick Moran)

A natural inclusion in music-themed sidebars, Brit actor Nick Moran’s helming debut Telstar is an amusing, energetic and informative biopic on 50s/60s record producer Joe Meek who wrote the eponymous mega-hit and pioneered numerous developments in pop-music SFX. Although the film adheres to a familiar rise-and-fall trajectory, Meek’s story is such a wild ride that audiences will no doubt get swept up in the rush of retro-details, rocking soundtrack and Con O’Neil’s terrific central performance.

Audiences are thrown right away into the chaos of Meek’s legendary townhouse recording studio as writer Geoff Goddard arrives to collaborate with Meek as both men bond over music and a shared interest in the supernatural. Thanks to superb production design, zippy editing and Peter Wignall’s sharp eye for capturing the anarchy of the Holloway Road studio, Telstar immediately grabs audience attention and provides a truly immersive tour of this locale which will feature heavily throughout and signify Meek’s unhinged personality.

From there the film takes in Meek’s achievements – most notably his smash-hit Telstar – while listing his struggles with sexual identity, terrible business sense, psychotic outbursts and increasing paranoia.

Aside from O’Neil (who reprises the same role he played in the theatrical version), all cast members acquit themselves admirably and further add to the film’s sense of period-authenticity. Kevin Spacey is tops as Meek’s business partner, an ex-major with all the business acumen his partner lacks. Elsewhere Tom Burke gets under the nervous skin of Goddard effectively and JJ Feild’s turn as pop-star Heinz is near-perfect.