The story of Beatles manager Brian Epstein seems ideal an ideal subject for a hit movie.

The energy of the times, the peerless music, Epstein’s rise to fame as a Svengali-like figure, and his sudden death in 1967, aged 32 … The raw ingredients are all there.

But Midas Man is not that movie. It feels like bungled opportunity.

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd in Midas Man. Photo supplied

The film opens in in the early 1960s. The Beatles are unknown outside of the clubs of Hamburg’s Reeperbahn and Brian Epstein (played by Wolf Hall and The Queen’s Gambit player Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) is working for his father, owner of a moderately successful furniture store. Already a failed drama student, Brian is finding it hard to generate much enthusiasm for selling hall stands and radiograms. The one thing he is passionate about is music.

Badgering his dad for dedicated space in the family store, Brian sets up what will become Liverpool’s premiere record store. He demonstrates a nose for talent and is soon on the scent trail of a leather-clad foursome playing lunchtime gigs at The Cavern Club.

Before long (after winning over a sceptical John Lennon and...