This witty and compelling portrait of the eighties music scene is viewed through the eyes of Tony Wilson: a young Cambridge graduate and TV presenter, who, inspired by the Sex Pistols first Manchester gig, founds the now world-famous Factory Records and Hacienda night-club. The bands he signs include Joy Division and the Happy Mondays - who became seminal artists of their time - whilst the Hacienda transforms Manchester - a declining industrial city into "Mad-chester" - the place to be.
All this is built on Wilson's anarchic business philosophy: no contracts, just passion, music and hedonism - if the bands don't like it they are free to leave. No-one leaves, but with debts and hangovers rocketing, things do get completely out of hand...
Comedian Steve Coogan is brilliantly cast as the wry Wilson, struggling to hold it together in a world of vice and angst-ridden geniuses. The fabulous soundtrack includes hits from the Happy Mondays, New Order and Joy Division.