The Idolmaker

1980

The Idolmaker

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 8

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Movie Info

The story of Philadelphia-based rock 'n' roll starmaker Bob Marcucci is given a pointed a clef treatment in The Idolmaker. Ray Sharkey plays Vincent Vacarri, who takes a couple of raw young kids (Peter Gallagher and Paul Land) and molds them into teen idols. If Gallagher and Land seem at times to be clones of Fabian and Frankie Avalon, then you've gotten the point. As played by Sharkey, Vacarri comes off as both maven and monster: he gives his boys everything they need professionally and everything they want personally, but it's subliminally clear that his interest is purely mercenary (incredibly, Bob Marcucci is the film's technical advisor). An excellent, clear-eyed view of show biz mechanics, The Idolmaker falters only in its anachronisms, notably the style of music performed by Vacarri's proteges.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Romance
Directed By:

Taylor Hackford
In Theaters:

Nov 14, 1980 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Aug 15, 2001
Runtime:

119 minutes
Studio:

United Artists

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Cast

Ray Sharkey
as Vincent Vacarri

Tovah Feldshuh
as Brenda Roberts

Peter Gallagher
as Caesare

Paul Land
as Tommy Dee

Joe Pantoliano
as Gino Pilato

Maureen McCormick
as Ellen Fields

John Aprea
as Paul Vacarri

Richard Bright
as Uncle Tony

Olympia Dukakis
as Mrs. Vacarri

Steven Apostlee Peck
as Mr. Vacarri

Leonard Gaines
as Luchetti

Deney Terrio
as Jerry Martin

Denny Terrio
as Jerry Martin

Charles Guardino
as Jesse

Michael Mislove
as Ed Sharp

Kenneth W. O'Brien
as Walt Bennett

Michael Perotta
as Carlo

Barbara King

Jeffrey Tanner
as Delano

James Saito

Howard Gordon
as Scapio

London Fog
as (As London Fog)

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Critic Reviews for The Idolmaker

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (1)

The movie's two main aims -- to blow the lid off the music business and to exalt some of the unsung heroes of American pop culture -- are somewhat contradictory, and haven't been worked into a polished narrative.

Aug 27, 2013 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Noel Murray
The Dissolve
Taylor Hackford showed his skills as a commercial director with his very first picture.

Jul 31, 2011 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com