Rating: 
Summary: An unfairly forgotten classic for you to rediscover
Review: "I've been up, I've been down, I've been playing women all around ..." It amazes me that this great movie seemed to have bypassed modern audiences to the extent that no-one even remembers it anymore. I remember when it was released in South Africa in 1981, my best friend and I went to see it four times in the same week. At that time, we were uncritically into movies about music, rock 'n roll and disco (Grease; Saturday Night Fever; Thank God it's Friday; I Wanna Hold your Hand etc)and this movie delivered big time in terms of our low expectations. As I've matured, movies like these have either dated rather badly (Saturday Night Fever) or gradually revealed their mediocrity (Thank God it's Friday). The Idolmaker has only become better! This is truly a movie that succeeds in being all things to all people. As kids, it delivered the most basic kind of entertainment that made going to the movies a weekly pleasure. As adults, it delivers an intelligent, bittersweet and admirably unsentimental look at the unforgiving dynamics of an industry and culture prizing image and packaging over substance and content. Featuring a remarkably confident career best performance by Ray Sharkey ably supported by the always reliable Joe Pantoliano and a suitably weeny Peter Gallagher, The Idolmaker is the forgotten classic of the musical drama genre. In a funny way, given the setting, the neighbourhood, the wiseguy attitude - I've always kind of considered The Idolmaker as a kind of sub-Scorsese movie - an upmarket, glamorous companion piece to Mean Streets, Raging Bull and other such Italian American neighbourhood tales. But that would be unfair to director Taylor Hackford, who has fashioned a remarkably original stand-alone homage to the hardworking, entrepreneurial, fame-hungry neighbourhood kids who were the real, unseen backbone of the rock 'n roll industry. Breezy and pacy, yet tinged with profound pathos, The Idolmaker is the best of its kind. The fact that it has a terrific soundtrack that'll have you humming all day doesn't hurt either. This is the best, most insightful and intellectually stimulating movie about rock 'n roll ever made. Add The Idolmaker to This is Spinal Tap and A Hard Day's Night in your collection and you'll own the only movies you need to about the music industry and the stupidities -and undeniable attraction - of its attendant celebrity. Oh yes - and I guarantee that after watching this movie, you'll never be able to take groups like the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync seriously again.
Rating:
Summary: An unfairly forgotten classic for you to rediscover
Review: "I've been up, I've been down, I've been playing women all around ..." It amazes me that this great movie seemed to have bypassed modern audiences to the extent that no-one even remembers it anymore. I remember when it was released in South Africa in 1981, my best friend and I went to see it four times in the same week. At that time, we were uncritically into movies about music, rock 'n roll and disco (Grease; Saturday Night Fever; Thank God it's Friday; I Wanna Hold your Hand etc)and this movie delivered big time in terms of our low expectations. As I've matured, movies like these have either dated rather badly (Saturday Night Fever) or gradually revealed their mediocrity (Thank God it's Friday). The Idolmaker has only become better! This is truly a movie that succeeds in being all things to all people. As kids, it delivered the most basic kind of entertainment that made going to the movies a weekly pleasure. As adults, it delivers an intelligent, bittersweet and admirably unsentimental look at the unforgiving dynamics of an industry and culture prizing image and packaging over substance and content. Featuring a remarkably confident career best performance by Ray Sharkey ably supported by the always reliable Joe Pantoliano and a suitably weeny Peter Gallagher, The Idolmaker is the forgotten classic of the musical drama genre. In a funny way, given the setting, the neighbourhood, the wiseguy attitude - I've always kind of considered The Idolmaker as a kind of sub-Scorsese movie - an upmarket, glamorous companion piece to Mean Streets, Raging Bull and other such Italian American neighbourhood tales. But that would be unfair to director Taylor Hackford, who has fashioned a remarkably original stand-alone homage to the hardworking, entrepreneurial, fame-hungry neighbourhood kids who were the real, unseen backbone of the rock 'n roll industry. Breezy and pacy, yet tinged with profound pathos, The Idolmaker is the best of its kind. The fact that it has a terrific soundtrack that'll have you humming all day doesn't hurt either. This is the best, most insightful and intellectually stimulating movie about rock 'n roll ever made. Add The Idolmaker to This is Spinal Tap and A Hard Day's Night in your collection and you'll own the only movies you need to about the music industry and the stupidities -and undeniable attraction - of its attendant celebrity. Oh yes - and I guarantee that after watching this movie, you'll never be able to take groups like the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync seriously again.
Rating: 
Summary: If you enjoyed "That Thing You Do", you'll love this too.
Review: A great story of an aspiring singer and his manager/producer. Set in the days when life was a bit more innocence, see the rise of two talents and the man behind the scenes trying to pull the strings to bring them to fame and fortune. It's the first time I recall seeing Peter Gallagher acting in something. And didn't see him again until Sex, Lies and Videotape. He's great in this as the ambitous, yet terrified singer, pushed to greatness by Ray Sharkey character.
Rating:
Summary: A must for fans of the "Philly Sound"
Review: For those of us with the privilege of growing up on the East Coast and witnesses to the sound coming out of Philadelphia in the early 60's, this movie is a must-see. Ray Sharkey shines in his performance here and reminds me what a natural talent he was. He is sorely missed.
Rating:
Summary: Great story with great acting - A Must See for Anyone
Review: Great story with great acting - A Must See for Anyone: The story is timeless - the music & acting are great - this is a video that is unavailable for rent almost anywhere - a shame!
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME MOVIE! MUST SEE!
Review: I absolutely LOVE this movie. I watched it for the first time as a young girl. It has stayed in my mind the past 17 years. This movie chronicles the rise and fall of fame.
Rating:
Summary: Next in line to Purple Rain for a Musical Favorite
Review: I don't remember the year, but I was about 15 and we had just gotten cable in our area and we were so excited we were just flipping channels to see what we had! Well anyway, we came across The Idolmaker and it became one of our, my family's, most enjoyable movies. We watched it over and over and over. I can also remember sitting next to the tv and taping the songs. To me, it can be considered one of those, what they call, a sleeper classic. I just love this movie and can't wait to get my copy! Ray Sharkey was the best and he made the ending so touching. The whole movie brings out almost every emotion. You will laugh, cry, get upset, and even feel slight disgust. One for the collector's.
Rating:
Summary: Next in line to Purple Rain for a Musical Favorite
Review: I don't remember the year, but I was about 15 and we had just gotten cable in our area and we were so excited we were just flipping channels to see what we had! Well anyway, we came across The Idolmaker and it became one of our, my family's, most enjoyable movies. We watched it over and over and over. I can also remember sitting next to the tv and taping the songs. To me, it can be considered one of those, what they call, a sleeper classic. I just love this movie and can't wait to get my copy! Ray Sharkey was the best and he made the ending so touching. The whole movie brings out almost every emotion. You will laugh, cry, get upset, and even feel slight disgust. One for the collector's.
Rating:
Summary: Peter Gallagher's First Movie a Winner!
Review: I just watched the Idolmaker for the second time. Those who know me know I'm a big Peter Gallagher head (I have a message board on Insidetheweb.com if you wish to visit) so mabye I'm a bit biased, but I really watched closely this time and was extremely impressed! I am surprized that Peter still has not gotten the recognition that he deserves. This film was made in 1980, and it amazes me how timeless it is. All of the performances were top rate. I remember a spoof of the Idolmaker on Saturday Night Live shortly after the movie was made when Ray Sharkey hosted. He made a busboy into a "star waiter" and it was Gilbert Gottfried! Just a side note there. Anyone who loves Peter Gallagher has just got to see this movie. Excelent!
Rating:
Summary: A Must-See Teen Hit!
Review: I remember watching this movie when I was young and recording the songs with my tape recorder next to the television as I watched the movie so that I could memorize the lyrics. It has stuck with me all these years. It really deserved better reviews thank what it received. This is a must see for a young viewer to enjoy the catchy music, admire the great looks of the actors (Paul Land), and learn the lesson it is trying to teach(the rise of fall of success).
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