The Sixties was the coming of age for rock and roll, soul, and rhythm and blues music, where many record companies made lots of money and small labels began to make it big. It moved into the seventies where Disco took over the world. During this time there were many up and coming entrepreneurs who made it big by finding talent and bringing to us all. This story is about several record labels and their rise to stardom and the man who brought this talent to the forefront.
This well produced story is narrated by Neil Bogart (Jeremy Jordan) throughout the story starting from the beginning where he grew up in Brooklyn through, his days as a singer, his experience with Warner Brothers, and his running and establishing Cameo-Parkway Records, Buddah Records, and Casablanca. During his narration Neil introduces each segment of his life, where the actors show you how he was able to create his Kingdom. From the big hole he was in and how he made it to the top. His biggest label was Casablanca’s where Bogart’s starting of this independent Record Company surprised everyone. He had talents such as Donna Summer (Tayla Parx), George Clinton (Wiz Khalifa), Gene Simmons (Casey Likes), Paul Stanley (Sam Nelson Harris), Peter Criss (Alex Gaskarth), the Hudson Brothers, the Village People, to name a few. Previously, Neil was building talent for Warner Brothers (Cameo-Parkway Records), and Buddah Records, where he produced records for Ronald Isley (Jason Derulo), Rudolph Isley (Doron Bell), and Gladys Knight (Ledisi). Some of these great artists helped his career but others sometimes did not.

During his life he met many interesting people, not just talent we knew from their music, but the talent he needed to help him start his empire. First he met his wife, Beth Weiss (Michelle Monaghan) and her sister, Nancy Wess (Peyton List). Daughters of hotel owners, they were able to help him find the contacts he needed in the beginning and eventually helped him run the day to day operations. Neils close friends, Buck Reingold (Dan Fogler), Cecil Holmes (Jay Pharoah), and Larry Harris (James Wolk) were co-founders of Casablanca in 1973. He also partnered with Joyce Biawitz (Lyndsy Fonseca) manager of the rock band Kiss and support from his father, Al Bogatz (Jason Isaacs), who always took chances.
Directors and writers Timothy Scott Bogart and Quinn Scott Bogart did an excellent job putting together this recounted storyline based on true events. They developed a tale where it was presented by Jeremy Jordan, who played their father. Both Timothy and Quinn did a spectacular job blending the events well, through the description given at each milestone event. The performance by the acting team was presented very believable to the audience and was fantastically delivered.

This very enjoyable narrative of this rag to riches story, will definitely entertain and deliver as it promises. Learning about the first true Independent record company to make its success during the sixties, and seventies, helps us realize that anyone who takes a chance and works hard can eventually reach the pinnacle of success.
Final Comment: I based my grade on the performance of the actors and the wonderful storyline.
Stars 3.5 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Jeremy Jordan, Michelle Monaghan, Peyton List, Lyndsy Fonseca, Jason Isaacs, and Dan Fogler.
Directed and Written By: Timothy Scott Bogart and Quinn Scott Bogart
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music, and Musical.
MPAA Rating: Rated R for pervasive language, drug use, some sexual material and nudity.
Running Time: 2 hours and 17 minutes.
Release Date: March 31, 2023 (USA), April 5, 2023
Distributed By: Hero Partners, and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Release In: D-Cinema, and Standard