ADAPTED from a stage play, this is a biopic about Joe Meek (Con O’Neill), the tormented man whose bedroom gadgets helped The Tornados to become the first US chart toppers. He also turned down the Beatles. A labour of love for Lock, Stock actor turned director Nick Moran, the claustrophobic sets and clever period touches work well, with much of the action set above a Holloway Road handbag shop run by Violet Shenton (Pam Ferris). Upstairs, Joe Meek is creating history, achieving sound effects on just two tracks which still resonate today. Yet the story of Britain’s equivalent to Phil Spector is somehow not that interesting to watch, even though Meek was gay, tone deaf and unable to play anything of note. The end credit notes are far more interesting than the film’s sea of unfamiliar characters. The Royle Family’s Ralph Little is Chas Hodges (later of Chas ‘n’ Dave) and former Darkness star Justin Hawkins briefly appears as Screaming Lord Sutch. But the injustice of Meek’s financial problems lacks drama – and it takes an end-credit note to add a sense of poignancy. Also out to buy for £15.99.Read
