Lack of good storyline.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Follow up to That'll Be the Day has Jimmy Maclaine starting a band call the Stray Cats, rising to international success and then having it all go away. I originally saw this on HBO back in the late 1970's early 1980's and it hung with me ever since. Until I saw the film again I couldn't tell you anything about the film other than it had to do with a reclusive rock star. Seeing it again I find that its a good film but I'm at a loss to explain why I recall seeing it. A much better film than the one that preceded it, here was a story that I could relate to simple because the story of a band that comes together and breaks up is one I could relate to. I find that even the drama that carries over from the first film plays better here and less like a soap opera.(Though now having seen the first film I find that having the back story does help clarify somethings). I like the film and I'm glad that some 25 years on I got to see it again. I don't know if I need to see it again but it is a neat little time capsule and reflection of the music scene at a specific time and place (and less specific since the way groups and their leaders come together and break apart will always happen in ways close to this) Worth a look.

"Stardust"...the continuing story of young Jim Maclaine (David Essex) from "That'll Be The Day" is an excellent 'must-see' sequel.The story not only portrays the development of Maclaine's aspiring musical ambitions, but is a very insightful depiction of how the music business can be unpredictably cruel and coarse.Ray Connolly is at the helm as writer once again along with David Puttnam and Sanford Lieberson producing. But, it is Michael Apted taking the reigns as Director in this second movie.The nature of the story calls for another strong supporting cast and this is achieved with not only Essex maturing very well in the lead role, but with the addition of 60's pop idol, Adam Faith and future "Dallas" star, Larry Hagman. Faith's portrayal of Mike Menary, the manager of Maclaine's rock band, "The Stray Cats", cuts a brutally shrewd and dark figure. Hagman, in the role of Porterlee Austin, portrays a flamboyant personality as his character name suggests. Both of these characters eventually have one thing in common - money. But, it's Messrs. Faith and Hagman who virtually steal the whole film together because of their 'meaty' characterisations. To add authenticity to the role of the rock band in the movie, Dave Edmunds is on hand in a supporting role along with writing and producing the band's songs. Keith Moon reprises his role from "That'll Be The Day" as the drummer and Paul Nicholas cuts a fine 'jealous' figure in the form of 'Knee-tremble Johnny'. And, Rosalind Ayres once again portrays Jim's wife, Jeanette.The story takes up three years later where "That'll Be The Day" left off, and is a roller-coaster ride of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll sixties-style. The film covers a wide canvas between England, Spain and the USA and is beautifully filmed. It was made in 1974 and even then comes across as controversial for the time with some very memorable scenes. One of the scenes I particularly remember is when the band meet up in a Vegas showroom and during a heated discussion Jim Maclaine points to Stevie (Karl Howman) and matter of factly points out: "If it weren't for me you'd still be catching crabs in Oldham!". This certainly puts the place of my birth on the map. Finally, there is an equally enjoyable soundtrack that oozes the changing styles of Rock and Pop music from a distant time. Also, the ending is a killer...but won't really leave you in a state of shock."Stardust" is a wonderful piece of cinema that the British film industry should be very proud of.

This film is very worthwhile. You can pick out all your fave 60's references from "concept", "rock opera", "managers", dodgy sexual politics and the whole drugs thing. It works so very well because it is not based on one band. Not the Beatles, not the Stones, not the Beach Boys, Tommy Shondell or anyone. It's affectionate and damning of the whole process. It works very well as a "This Is Spinal Tap" without being a lampoon of the music business. Knowing without being smart-ass. A broad covering of its genre without being in broad strokes.

...but he crashed out the sky." 'Stardust' by David Essex. Warning: contains 'spoilers'.Heavily influenced by the story of the Beatles (Ringo Starr declined to reprise the role of 'Mike' in this film because of a section of the story that was based on Pete Best's sacking) 'Stardust' is the archetypal Rock 'n' Roll story of the 1960s and 1970s.David Essex gives a great performance as Jim Maclaine, the easily corrupted singer who finds that after ditching his group and his wife and embarking on an orgy of drugs, sex and bad business deals his world falls apart.What appears to seal his fate is the way in which he treats his jealous and mercenary manager, Mike. After greedily taking two girls to bed when he might have left one and having some involvement in the death of his manager's dog his luck really runs out when he ODs on live television. Mike is left cursing and shaking the limp body of his former friend as he sees his 'investment' drifting away.The title song, penned by Essex, is an absolute classic. It took David Bowie an entire LP to explore similar themes and none of the songs on 'Ziggy Stardust' have half as much heart and soul as 'Stardust'.The 'Stray Cats' of this film are not to be confused with the 1980s American group of the same name. Dave Edmunds, the musical director of 'Stardust' went on to produce Brian Setzer's Rockabilly trio and christened them the Stray Cats after the imaginary group in this film.