Midas Man is the highly anticipated biopic about The Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who died of an accidental overdose at 32 years old.

I’ve been curious about this film since I first heard of it. Suffice it to say, I think it does a good job in its approach to telling Brian Epstein’s (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) story. Epstein being The Beatles manager does lend itself some challenges in telling the story. Licensing their songs are not cheap by any means. The filmmakers do what they can to work around this problem through the use of The Beatles performing cover songs. Mindbogglingly, they decide to use “Money (That’s What I Want)” rather than “Twist and Shout” during the Royal Command Performance in 1963. Anyone looking up the setlist will certainly know that the song is wrong. Otherwise, with the many hits in their catalog, filmmakers make the best of the situation at hand.

How does one tell Epstein’s story in a respectful way and doesn’t force audiences through the narrative too quickly? They utilize montages while Epstein breaks the fourth wall. It would be impossible to follow The Beatles on their US and world tours. Filmmakers are better off using the montages in this regard. Of course, they allow the film to breathe as Epstein first meets The Beatles at The Cavern Club on November 9, 1961, a moment that would forever change music and world history. Of course, he has to talk with their then-manager Alan Williams (Eddie Suzy Izzard) in 1961. But in as much as this film is about Brian and his boys, it’s also about his other life, too. You know, the one that he had to be kind of secretive about. John “Tex” Ellington (Ed Speleers) is more likely than not a stand-in for Dizz Gillespie–Google him.

Of the other artists that Epstein signs to NEMS, Cilla Black (Darci Shaw) is the only one with any decent amount of screentime. Alistair Taylor (Milo Parker), Epstein’s right-hand man, was with him when he first saw The Beatles perform. Epstein’s management was crucial to the evolution of the Mersey Beat sound. We never see the Decca audition but we hear all about it. Eventually, he takes NEMS to London, where The Beatles would make music history for the next several years while working with producer George Martin (Charley Palmer Rothwell) at Abbey Road Studios. Unfortunately, Epstein would not be with them through the end of it, dying two months after the global broadcast of “All You Need is Love” in 1967. But despite the success of the acts signed by NEMS, there was something missing from Brian’s life and the film seeks to explore this side of his life.

As a side note to the Our World broadcast, The Beatles Anthology adds more context to what we see in the film. Neither Paul McCartney or George Harrison remembered if the song was written explicitly for the broadcast. However, both Ringo Starr and George Martin confirmed that it was written for satellite taping. It was a John Lennon song with some ad libs at the end. Even though it’s one of the final Beatles events appearing on screen. Of course, licensing costs being what they are, the only thing we hear is French national anthem “La Marseillaise” at the beginning of the song. They also used Studio 1 for the broadcast. In double-checking the film, I’m not so sure that they recreate the recording at Abbey Road Studios or another location.

John Lennon (Jonah Lees), Paul McCartney (Blake Richardson), George Harrison (Leo Harvey-Elledge), Ringo Starr (Campbell Wallace), and Pete Best (Adam Lawrence) make up The Beatles. Well, Best is dropped early because Parlophone producer George Martin isn’t a fan of his drumming and lets Brian Epstein know this during the June 6, 1962 session. As everybody knows, Ringo would replace him. In paying attention to the credits, the actors mostly sing their own lead and backing vocals. However, they do not perform their instruments on the soundtrack. Campbell Wallace captures Ringo’s voice but he’s the one actor that doesn’t quite look like the real guy. Another issue that could prove distracting is the height differences–John is not shorter than Ringo in real life!

Regarding venues in both Liverpool and London, they do their best to use venues that are still standing. The Cavern Club was replaced by a newer version using as many of the original bricks as possible. What they do in the film is build a perfect recreation of the original club. I do love that Abbey Road Studios gave filmmakers permission to film in the historic Studio 2. If you’re going to have Abbey Road as a location in a Beatles film, it needs to be the real thing, not a set or other studio. It is irreplaceable in that regard.

How is the Jewish representation? The film does not shy away from Epstein being Jewish. An early scene features Brian Epstein sitting in a synagogue with his parents, Harry and Queenie. Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, who stars as Epstein, is Jewish. Neither actor portraying Harry (Eddie Marsan) and Queenie Epstein (Emily Watson) are Jewish. I cannot find anything online about Bill Milner, who plays Brian’s brother Clive, so my guess is that he isn’t Jewish. Listen, I appreciate that Eddie Marsan has been an ally to the Jewish community during the skyrocketing antisemitism following October 7 but this is no substitute for authentic representation in casting. Were there zero Jewish actors capable of pulling off the portrayal? I’d like to think that there were at least some Jewish actors available. Filmmakers need to do better!

There is one bit of casting that feels more like stunt casting than anything else. Jay Leno has no business portraying Ed Sullivan. I’m sorry but the two look absolutely nothing alike. Even with the dyed hair and makeup, it still isn’t enough to buy Leno’s portrayal. Leno’s miscasting is honestly just as awful here as Greg Kinnear’s portrayal of Bob Hope in 2020’s Misbehaviour.

Midas Man is a long-overdue biopic celebrating Brian Epstein’s life and while it takes dramatic liberties in storytelling, the film is a must-watch for Beatles fans. The film has a disclaimer at the end noting that it is a fictionalized story based on real events. However, Brian’s journey in the film follows the facts that the public already knows about. With regards to the role played by his family, their private lives and dialogue are fictional as one might expect. Midas Man also takes dramatic liberties to further the narrative by intentionally creating characters for the film. Because of Brian’s association with the Beatles, there is no shortage of material available for those wanting to learn more. Most recently, All You Need is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words touches on the band’s relationship with Brian, amongst others.

DIRECTOR: Joe Stephenson
WRITTEN BY: Brigit Grant
SCREENPLAY BY: Jonathan Wakeham
CAST: Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Blake Richardson, Jonah Lees, Leo Harvey-Elledge, Campbell Wallace, Adam Lawrence, Darci Shaw, Ed Speleers, Charley Palmer Rothwell, Eddie Suzy Izzard, Milo Parker, Chukwuma Omambala, James Corrigan, with Jay Leno, Eddie Marsan, and Emily Watson

Midas Man held its US premiere at the 2025 Miami Jewish Film Festival. Upcoming film festival appearances include the 2025 New York Jewish Film Festival and 2025 Jewish Nevada International Film Festival. Menemsha Films will release the film in theaters starting in March 2025. Grade: 4/5

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