Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2008)

Telstar: The Joe Meek Story is a 2008 film adaptation of James Hicks and Nick Moran's play Telstar, about record producer Joe Meek, which premiered in London's West End in June 2005 at the New Ambassadors Theatre. The protagonist of the story, Joe Meek, is a record producer who was musically illiterate and tone-deaf but had a talent for creating and was obsessed with music. Meek's strange business manager is played by Spacey, who has a notable upper-class English accent. With his outstanding performance, he certainly enhances the overall quality of the film.

On Sunday, Scotland's Siobhan Synnot applauded the film for not using the usual "cinematic gloss." She believes it starts out lightheartedly but quickly evolves into a "harrowing film," and that Telstar "knocks the wind out of the sails" of The Boat That Rocked by providing "more substantial and engaged" performances.

Detailed Information:

Directed by: Nick Moran

Starring: Con O'Neill, Kevin Spacey, Pam Ferris, JJ Feild

Release dates: October 25, 2008 (London Film Festival)/June 19, 2009 (United Kingdom)
Running time: 119 minutes