(65%) At fifteen or so minutes in this pushed very few buttons for me, and as I had no idea who Joe Meek actually was, the temptation to give the remaining three quarters a skip and move on passed my mind, but I'm glad that I didn't because this heats up very nicely. Con O'Neill is sublime in the lead role as the hugely hyped-up, at times very angry, yet unquestionably passionate hit music creator during the swinging days of London in the 60's. The backing cast is made up of a host of UK talent, with Kevin Spacey adding even more quality to the production. This may be a bit to clumsily written at times with a script that feels a bit too much like a stageplay rather than a screenplay, but this is still an important piece of well told pop music history.

I had been waiting for this film for over a year, as I have long been fascinated by Joe Meek, and largely I wasn't disappointed. This certainly showed how Meek made life hell for those around him, especially the hapless and loyal Geoff Goddard.

The standout performances were by James Corden as Clem Cattini and Ralf Little as Chas Hodges. Tom Burke shows a painfully shy Geoff Goddard suppressing unrequited love for Meek, who was more infatuated with Heinz.

There are some laugh out loud moments and in jokes. When Meek is told of a telephone call from Brian Epstein about the Beatles he responds "Yeah Yeah Yeah". Chas Hodges himself has a cameo as a neighbour complaining about the noise, and Jess Conrad joins Hodges as being in the film (as Larry Parnes) and portrayed (be ex-EastEnders actor Nigel Harman). A further subtle moment refer to a boy called Tom who had come all the way from Wales. Did everyone realise that this was Tom Jones? Justin Hawkins also has an amusing time as Screaming Lord Sutch, although it's just as well he isn't given much to say.

The film also scores well at the end in showing photos of the real people alongside their film portrayals.

Heinz Burt's family are upset over what the Press in Southampton are calling a "gay slur". This is sad. If his relationship with Meek is inaccurately portrayed it is hardly derogatory. The family should be more distressed that Heinz is portrayed as a buffoon by JJ Feild.

The film has a few failings. It hints at Meek's earlier life, but starts with Goddard's arrival in Holloway Road. I wanted to know how Meek came to that place, his RAF background, and more about how he created that amazing sound (there have been rumours that the ending of Telstar was the sound of a toilet being flushed, played backwards). Con O'Neil's performance as Meek varies from riveting to at times quite hammy, as in his mostly oily treatment of Mrs Shenton (Pam Ferris). Kevin Spacey's casting as a pompous army officer type business partner was unnecessary, but aimed at the US market (I don't think the US will be interested at all). The film also plays fast and loose with the ending. Patrick Pink has said that he was downstairs during the fateful moments on 3 February.

*******SPOILER*******

The film is kind to Meek in showing him accidentally shooting Mrs Shenton (unlikely given Patrick's account), but has Patrick Pink witnessing Meek's suicide, which is not consistent with his own account.

Worthwhile, though, as a snapshot of the pre-Beatles pop scene.