Svengali ** (2013, Jonny Owen, Maxine Peake, Joel Fry, Martin Freeman, Vicky McClure, Michael Socha) – Film Review

Jonny Owen writes and stars in this slightly quirky, slightly funny, very old-fashioned comedy look at the British music scene. He plays, rather likeably, a loveable loser called Dixie, up in London from the sticks, who thinks he can sign up a boy band, manage them and get rich.

Svengali started off as a You Tube series, but that only makes the movie enterprising, not modern. Actually, it’s so old-fashioned you expect to see Morecambe and Wise popping in for a comedy routine at any time. You wish!

The details of the London music scene seem sketchy, all wrong and out of date, denting credibility. Lacking an insider’s view of the scene, it feels like it’s set in the 80s, or maybe even the 60s. As writer, Owen needs to do a bit more research, though some of his lines are funny and some of his scenes are engaging.

As star performer, Owen may be likeable, actually he’s very likeable. But, by staying centre stage all the way through, his charms are slightly over-exposed on the movie screen. It’s a shame that the band members hardly have proper roles or developed characters at all, as this would help the film enormously. However, there are neat, if cliched roles for one or two of the other performers, gleefully playing stereotypes like best mate, sick dad, troubled girlfriend, promoter.

The ending is dreadfully lame and sentimental, and frankly unbelievable, just when a bit punchy finish is needed. But, to be fair, a lot of Owen’s dialogue is amusing and the scenes entertaining enough, so the film scrapes by. It’s all quite good-natured fun and it would be hard to really dislike it.

Martin Freeman’s cameo as the ageing Mod owner of the record store where Owen briefly works is an outrageous turn, but it does jolly things up a bit.

© Derek Winnert 2014 derekwinnert.com