The Idolmaker (1980)

An underrated minor gem from debut director Taylor Hackford that, while often compared to Grease (1978) and the same year's odious remake The Jazz Singer (1980), actually owes considerably more to the Oscar-winning The Buddy Holly Story (1978) in tone and execution. While certainly not displaying the charm and emotional impact of that classic film, Hackford's introduction is not without its charms, which include a pair of nicely turned-on performances from Tovah Feldshuh and Golden Globe-winner Ray Sharkey (this film and the series Wise Guy standing as two of the ill-fated actor's finest projects), as well as some memorable tunes from legendary pop songwriter Jeff Barry, co-author of "Da Do Ron Ron," "Be My Baby," and "Leader of the Pack," among other hits of the Brill Building era. The drama's limited budget shows in its rather skimpy efforts to depict the time period, and the story is predictably rags-to-riches-to-rags, but in this thinly veiled bio of "power behind the throne," Bob Marcucci crackles with a raw, nervously sexual energy, fairly bristling with enthusiasm for its subject matter. Not yet cynical and jaded by an industry that would so often misrepresent and poorly promote his work, Hackford is fully engaged here, and it shows on all levels, from casting (Peter Gallagher and Joe Pantoliano both make their feature film bows with the film) to the picture's subtly frisky, funny (and most likely totally intentional) homoerotic undercurrent. It's not the definitive rock & roll film, but The Idolmaker (1980) still trumps later-model cousins such as Rock Star (2001). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide