Interesting but incomplete. They leave out some very important facts that would have helped to understand this maniacal narcissist. First, he was married four times. His second marriage was to Kelly Harmon in 1969. She was 21. Her father was Tom Harmon, a former Heisman Trophy winner. Second, he was indicted for bankruptcy fraud in Detroit in the late 1980's and acquitted. Lastly, the son that is interviewed was adopted by Delorean when he was 14 months. There is no backstory to how and why he was adopted. Would have been interesting to know. And his New Jersey estate was later purchases by another celebrity/egomaniac/businessman, Donald Trump and converted into a golf course.
12 Reviews
Good but nothing new
Runrig31 July 2021
There are so many documentary's about Delorean floating around from the last 2 years, and this one just adds to that pile, offering very little new information that hasn't already been covered.
If anything, this one doesn't delve into all of his questionable deals like the others so it is a little softer.
The car while visionary, was fraught with mechanical problems, poor design, hastened testing, that hastened its demise. The early investors who got their first motors, realized then they had invested poorly.
DeLorean was no Musk, but had he delivered with a quality product, instead of trying to cut corners, then the automotive industry could have had another true maverick. He was so close to greatness, but without the structure and discipline of GM keeping him from doing harm, he couldn't achieve it.
I watch every DeLorean documentary like I do Buddy Holly movies - hoping that one he decides not to get in that final plane and somehow history is rewritten.
If anything, this one doesn't delve into all of his questionable deals like the others so it is a little softer.
The car while visionary, was fraught with mechanical problems, poor design, hastened testing, that hastened its demise. The early investors who got their first motors, realized then they had invested poorly.
DeLorean was no Musk, but had he delivered with a quality product, instead of trying to cut corners, then the automotive industry could have had another true maverick. He was so close to greatness, but without the structure and discipline of GM keeping him from doing harm, he couldn't achieve it.
I watch every DeLorean documentary like I do Buddy Holly movies - hoping that one he decides not to get in that final plane and somehow history is rewritten.
Iconic Car doesn't necessarily mean an iconic life
Agent1018 October 2021
One thing is for certain when it comes to John Delorean....he went for the gold and you can't fault him for that. The trouble is, like with any race, some people are gonna lose. Instead of losing because you weren't good enough, a lot of people lost because they believed in the bad methods of a relatively bad person.
Like with any of these style of documentaries, the story tries really hard to build up the central figure into a god like status. So Delorean put fast cars and impressionable young men into one equation and somehow that made him a visionary. Yeesh, and we all thought modern day Boomers had no idea about the youth. Either way, with the gift of hindsight something that is incredibly obvious today turned a relatively overrated man into a superstar. It wasn't because of his ideas but because of the cultivated image that Delorean worked extremely hard to project. He liked expensive cars, food and trinkets. And because of this he convinced an air-headed model to marry him.
Anyway, the story's second and third parts are really where the meat and potatoes of the story rounds out. Delorean, like many other rich business men of any indistinguishable era, did everything he could to convince people to pay for his extravagant ideas. And people kept giving him money due to his sociopathic capability of putting on the charm while he stole your wallet. He did this to automobile dealers, an entire government body and even his friends and family. Even when he had the world at his feet, he fell for the age old problem of wanting more.
People like Delorean are dangerous, and it is unfortunate most people like him don't go down in flames more often. But it is satisfying to see the fall of a grifter, regardless of what great ideas he might have had. The end results will always tarnish the previous accomplishments, because it spells out the obvious in a lot of cases. A million dollar idea is usually a matter of luck, and it depends on whether you accept that fateful stroke of cosmic love or run it into the ground with your hubris and self aggrandizement.
And if anyone cares, the Delorean kinda sucks. And yes I have seen them up close. People were so gullible to think this was a good idea. Anyone, enough of this review.
Like with any of these style of documentaries, the story tries really hard to build up the central figure into a god like status. So Delorean put fast cars and impressionable young men into one equation and somehow that made him a visionary. Yeesh, and we all thought modern day Boomers had no idea about the youth. Either way, with the gift of hindsight something that is incredibly obvious today turned a relatively overrated man into a superstar. It wasn't because of his ideas but because of the cultivated image that Delorean worked extremely hard to project. He liked expensive cars, food and trinkets. And because of this he convinced an air-headed model to marry him.
Anyway, the story's second and third parts are really where the meat and potatoes of the story rounds out. Delorean, like many other rich business men of any indistinguishable era, did everything he could to convince people to pay for his extravagant ideas. And people kept giving him money due to his sociopathic capability of putting on the charm while he stole your wallet. He did this to automobile dealers, an entire government body and even his friends and family. Even when he had the world at his feet, he fell for the age old problem of wanting more.
People like Delorean are dangerous, and it is unfortunate most people like him don't go down in flames more often. But it is satisfying to see the fall of a grifter, regardless of what great ideas he might have had. The end results will always tarnish the previous accomplishments, because it spells out the obvious in a lot of cases. A million dollar idea is usually a matter of luck, and it depends on whether you accept that fateful stroke of cosmic love or run it into the ground with your hubris and self aggrandizement.
And if anyone cares, the Delorean kinda sucks. And yes I have seen them up close. People were so gullible to think this was a good idea. Anyone, enough of this review.
An Interesting Exploration of John DeLorean.
henryshear15 August 2021
I had very little knowledge pertaining to John DeLorean aside from Back to the Future and that there was a criminal case in the 80s related to drugs. This docuseries did an amazing job of recounting his story, but it was somewhat of a nuisance to watch.
There was a film reel on the left side of the screen when older footage was shown. It was greatly distracting and I wish that there was a way for it to be removed. I found the theme to also be somewhat annoying; I know it sounds picky to attack the theme, but it was so overused. I tried to ignore all of what I said above because of how much I loved the story.
DeLorean was someone absolutely obsessed with his own image. His persona was critical to him, even more so than the well-being of others around him. This character trait of his stems from his childhood and events that happened to him during that period completely influenced his decisions in his adult years. His entire life is examined which is something I appreciated.
I do not want to disclose too much about the series in this review. It might have been slightly irritating to watch since some effects, such as music and the film reel, were done too repetitively yet it was still decent. The story of John DeLorean (his rise and fall) is so rich and full of intrigue. For anyone curious in cars or DeLorean, it is a revealing exploration into who he is.
I highly suggest watching the show. Just know that it is slightly annoying and that if you pay attention to the story, it is entertaining. Thank you for reading this review.
There was a film reel on the left side of the screen when older footage was shown. It was greatly distracting and I wish that there was a way for it to be removed. I found the theme to also be somewhat annoying; I know it sounds picky to attack the theme, but it was so overused. I tried to ignore all of what I said above because of how much I loved the story.
DeLorean was someone absolutely obsessed with his own image. His persona was critical to him, even more so than the well-being of others around him. This character trait of his stems from his childhood and events that happened to him during that period completely influenced his decisions in his adult years. His entire life is examined which is something I appreciated.
I do not want to disclose too much about the series in this review. It might have been slightly irritating to watch since some effects, such as music and the film reel, were done too repetitively yet it was still decent. The story of John DeLorean (his rise and fall) is so rich and full of intrigue. For anyone curious in cars or DeLorean, it is a revealing exploration into who he is.
I highly suggest watching the show. Just know that it is slightly annoying and that if you pay attention to the story, it is entertaining. Thank you for reading this review.
Moving insight into an unparalleled individual who should have been memorable for the right reasons
christaylorcoe30 July 2021
If you remember DeLorean from the 70/80's or simply from the films that immortalized the car.
This is a truly superb documentary that provides a chilling insight into the motives and mind of a tycoon, mogul and narcissist. Truly gripping and moving. Must watch 10/10.
This is a truly superb documentary that provides a chilling insight into the motives and mind of a tycoon, mogul and narcissist. Truly gripping and moving. Must watch 10/10.
Bit of an over-produced mess
morgrp-556-4538549 August 2021
There is essentially nothing wrong with the information detailed in the series and of course it's an interesting story with some great old footage but oh my god, stop over-producing the darned thing - irritating music, overly stylised screen shots, it meanders meaninglessly between parts of the story. Jumping from shot to shot the whole thing becomes a confusing mess to watch. Constant artistic camera angle changes when interviewing someone, a stupid "old film" look applied to all the footage of DeLorean and no real structure become aggravating after just 15 or so minutes. Anything that has an intro that lasts over 5minutes is self indulgent nonsense. It's a great concept but just dreadfully produced - doesn't need all this artistic crap, the story is interesting enough not to need it.
A Good Documentary about an Overrated Car Executive
royhectorkabanlit2 August 2021
A decent watch overall. The first Episode was pretty slow, I almost gave up on it, but the next two ones were good enough, giving a good look on who John DeLorean was as a Person.
I thought he was overrated as an Executive, he did well in a big Company like General Motors, but outside of it his weaknesses showed a lot. He looked too laid back to be a good Manager, he looked always a bit stand offish and out of touch.
He did have Charisma, but that was about it, and his corrupt nature coupled with extravagant lifestyle eventually led to his downfall.
I thought he was overrated as an Executive, he did well in a big Company like General Motors, but outside of it his weaknesses showed a lot. He looked too laid back to be a good Manager, he looked always a bit stand offish and out of touch.
He did have Charisma, but that was about it, and his corrupt nature coupled with extravagant lifestyle eventually led to his downfall.
Not bad
colonel-1307027 February 2022
The documentary was not bad but could've been better. The subject matter is always fascinating to get a glimpse into the life of the elite. I would imagine once you pull the curtain back on most of these very very wealthy people you'll find all types of stains that go unsaid. There are a lot of details they left out that would've gave us a better understanding of what was going on with this man. Overall a good introductory into the world that he tried to create. Much more left to be said though. Sadly the reporters come off looking like jealous hacks. Unfortunately journalism has taken such a downward spiral that their commentary on just about anything hurts their own credibility.
Not bad but kinda bad
mosaiclimited3 February 2022
The first 10-15 minutes were like a non-stop commercial for the series and very annoying. They teased the life out of the story without getting INTO the story. Part of the 10-15 minute hype portion was bragging about the documentary team who produced this series. Perhaps that was not needed except to fluff their egos.
As with 90% of the series on TV these days it's a 45 minute story stretched into 4 episodes. Lots of fluff and filler BUT the time from the drug bust to his death was covered in like 15 minutes - what? They glossed over so much at the end it was sad.
As with 90% of the series on TV these days it's a 45 minute story stretched into 4 episodes. Lots of fluff and filler BUT the time from the drug bust to his death was covered in like 15 minutes - what? They glossed over so much at the end it was sad.
Great Docuseries but...
kokoosantos28 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The narrative is presented objectively. DeLorean's rise and shameful fall were well-documented, thanks, in part, from the interviews of people who were privy to his "world."
now, what makes this a bit irritating (for me) is the SFX used whenever the timeframe moves forward or backward. The boom-boom-boom (not sure if they used a timpani) is just way too much. Rather than contribute, it detracts (and distracts). Imv, music and SFX contribute much to a show's overall impact. The production team would have been better off using an instrument/soundbyte that's less jarring/assaulting.
Just my $0.02.
Just my $0.02.
Narcissism.
dustin-5378415 August 2021
The two stars of this series, a stalker investigative journalist and woman who kept patting herself on the back for coining the term "midlife crisis" to describe men (which she clearly hates) who dare to reinvent themselves, were both narcissists.
I saw another review that mentioned "character assassination." Couldn't agree more.
I did give it a 5 because one part near the end with the stalker reporter made me laugh out loud.
I saw another review that mentioned "character assassination." Couldn't agree more.
I did give it a 5 because one part near the end with the stalker reporter made me laugh out loud.
A complete character assassination
sirtorch30 July 2021
Very unbalanced attempt to profile a man with huge ambitions. A very interesting, visionary, charismatic and provocative man challenging Big Auto during the late 70s early 80s bound to be stung by the deep. The Big Deep.
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