The rise and fall of legendary music producer Phil Spector is epic, even by music business standards. Creator of the remarkable arrangement tapestry known as "the Wall of Sound," Spector was behind the board on magnificent tunes by such artists as the Crystals, the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers, Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison and the Ramones.
But it was never any secret Spector's behavior in and out of the recording studio could range from suicidal to psychotic. There were numerous incredible incidents (some of which he maintained were exaggerated and/or fictional) before the tragic 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, whose body was discovered in Spector's mansion.
His first murder trial (which was televised) ended in a 2007 mistrial due to a hung jury. But the second (which was not) ended in a guilty verdict on April 13, 2009.
Spector's sentence of 19 years to life came May 29, 2009. Both the California Court of Appeal and California Supreme Court upheld the decision. The United States Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear his appeal. He will be 88 before becoming eligible for parole.
David Mamet's drama Phil Spector debuts 8 p.m. March 24 on HBO. Mamet has repeatedly said this is "not a biopic." He's also chosen not to put much focus on either trial, though the final portion is devoted to a mock trial held to prepare Spector for the first court proceeding.
Instead, he delves into the Spector persona, with Oscar winner Al Pacino in the title role. How much of the production will include those past notorious incidents remains to be seen, because there has been little disclosure about specific content besides the mock trial.
But that hair-trigger temper is one element Mamet does plan to explore, as well as Spector's penchant for lengthy philosophical monologues on numerous subjects.
Interestingly, Clarkson was among the extras in Pacino's famed Scarface, something he told TV Guide he didn't remember. Mamet wants the film to show how and why Spector ended up in prison, rather than tracing his career and recalling his exploits. Emmy winner Helen Mirren plays attorney Linda Kenney Baden.
Whatever the ratings' results, it's clear Phil Spector won't be a feel-good, celebratory vehicle. It will be intriguing to see how Pacino conveys Spector's personality, and whether he can avoid the manic showboating that sometimes overtakes his performances. But if any writer/director can accurately depict such a gifted, mercurial and bizarre figure, David Mamet seems up to the task.
