Unexpectedly Loved The "Elvis" Biopic? Here's A List Of Other Biopics For You To Fall In Love With
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If you watched Elvis recently and got to wondering about the fascinating lives of musicians you didn't know too much about before, you're not alone.
Bookmark this page — these biopics have got your next watch covered!
1.Bohemian Rhapsody
Following the life of Queen's lead singer, Bohemian Rhapsody shows us the story of Freddie Mercury, from the formation of the band up to their 1985 Live Aid performance.
Originally, Sacha Baron Cohen was set to play Mercury, but left due to creative differences. Rami Malek took on the role in 2016, with the film releasing in 2018.
While Bohemian Rhapsody became the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2018 worldwide and set an all-time box office record for the biopic and drama genres, it also received criticism for its editing, Bryan Singer's directing, and Anthony McCarten's screenplay, particularly around the depiction of Mercury's sexuality and the lives of the other band members.
It also contains historical inaccuracies — but I won't go into detail in case you want to watch the film! Check this article from Rolling Stone if you want the lowdown on what's true and what's artistic license.
2.Walk The Line
Starring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix, this biopic was based on the books Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words and Cash: The Autobiography, both by Johnny Cash.
The film follows the singer-songwriter's early life, his romance with five-time Grammy award winner June Carter, his climb to stardom in the country music scene, and his struggle with drug addiction.
The biopic was well received and earned itself five nominations at the 78th Academy Awards, one of which was won (Best Actress for Reese Witherspoon).
3.Respect
Based on the life of singer Aretha Franklin, Respect stars EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson in the starring role.
Depicting three decades of Franklin's life, the biopic goes from her early years and losing her mother at 10, all the way to her rise to international stardom while trapped in an abusive relationship.
Franklin asked Hudson to play her and was involved in the pre-production of the film, but unfortunately, she passed away in 2018, before the film began production in 2019.
4.Judy
Judy stars Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, and is an adaptation of the Olivier and Tony-nominated West End and Broadway play End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter.
The film follows the last year of Garland's career and life, interspersed with flashbacks of her youth to tell her story as her health deteriorates.
5.The United States vs. Billie Holiday
This biopic tells the tale of singer Billie Holiday.
Based on the book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari, the film tells the story of Billie, whose song "Strange Fruit" was criticized for its subject matter (around racially aggravated lynchings in the 1930s) and made her a target for Harry J. Anslinger of the FBI, a man known as an "extreme racist."
6.La Vie En Rose
La Vie En Rose is the story of French singer Edith Piaf, famed for songs such as the film's namesake and "Non, je ne regrette rien."
Played by Marion Cotillard, this film received critical acclaim and earned its lead several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress — the first time an Oscar had been given for a French-language role.
Following a non-linear timeline, La Vie En Rose throws us into key events from the life of Piaf, from childhood to death and everything in between.
7.Ray
Following the life of iconic rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles, this biopic received many awards and nominations, with lead actor Jamie Foxx's performance particularly impressing critics. In fact, he become the second actor ever to win all five major lead actors awards (the Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics' Choice awards) for the same performance.
As many biopics do, Ray starts with the singer's childhood and takes us on a whirlwind tour to stardom, including his struggles with drugs, involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, and influence on the music industry.
8.Nowhere Boy
Nowhere Boy follows John Lennon of Beatles fame, and chronicles his teenage years.
Set over a five-year period from 1955 to 1960, the biopic shows John's family relationships, his obsession with rock and roll music, and how his musical exploits evolved into the Beatles and, ultimately, worldwide stardom.
9.Straight Outta Compton
Showing the rise and fall of gangsta rap group N.W.A and members Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella, Straight Outta Compton shows the roots of the quintet, how they got their rise to fame performing "reality raps" about crime, gang violence, and police harassment of African Americans, and the ultimate splintering of the group.
All living members of the band were involved in the production of the film, with Eazy-E's widow serving as producer alongside Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.
10.The Dirt
This comedy-drama biopic tells the story of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. Based on the book of the same name, the film was stuck in development purgatory for over 10 years before Netflix bought the rights to the book in 2017.
The film mostly got negative reviews, with criticism around both what made it to the screen as well as what was left out. Many critics said the film glossed over the more troubling aspects of the band's history, with Esquire's Miranda Collinge saying: "The Dirt is a book from a bygone era, and this is an adaptation that, in this day and age, shouldn’t have happened. If they’d made the dirty version, it would have been morally bankrupt, but this cleaned-up version, for what it celebrates, and what it leaves out, is arguably even worse."
11.Rocketman
Rocketman tells the tale of Elton John, from his early days as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music to his long-term collaboration with songwriter Bernie Taupin.
Taking us on a whirlwind tour of some of Elton's bumps on the road to stardom, from homophobia to struggles with alcohol, drugs, shopping, and sex, Rocketman chronicles the life of the musical icon and garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
12.Get On Up
Starring the late Chadwick Boseman in the lead role, Get On Up chronicles the life of funk/soul singer James Brown.
Using a non-linear narrative, the film follows Brown's stream of consciousness as he remembers key moments of his life, occasionally breaking the fourth wall to address the audience.
The film received mostly positive reviews, with Boseman and Nelsan Ellis (who played Bobby Byrd in the movie) receiving most of the praise.
13.Love & Mercy
This biopic tells the story of the Beach Boys' co-founder and leader, Brian Wilson. It recounts his struggles with mental illness during the 1960s and '80s, alternating between showing the production of the album Pet Sounds and his treatment under Dr. Eugene Landy's 24-hour therapy program in the late '80s.
The film is said to be mostly factual, though Landy's son felt his father was unfairly portrayed. On the flipside, Wilson's second wife Melinda Ledbetter actually felt that the way Landy treated Wilson was "even worse" than the film shows.
14.Jersey Boys
This musical drama tells the story of The Four Seasons, with original band members Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio as executive producers.
Starting in 1951 New Jersey, we are transported through the band's career up until the '90s, covering mobsters, debts, love, tragedy, and of course, music.
15.The Runaways
This biopic tells the story of the band of the same name, who were a group of all-female rock musicians active in the '70s.
Starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart, The Runaways charts the band's rise to success from lip-syncing to David Bowie in high school talent shows to worldwide fame and performing globally.
16.I Still Believe
This romantic drama is based on the life of Christian music singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp and his first wife, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just before they married.
While the film received positive reviews for depicting faith in trying times, it was also criticized for its plot and character development.
17.Florence Foster Jenkins
You've seen biopics about prodigious singers praised for their talent, but have you seen one about a singer who was mocked relentlessly for not being able to sing well?
Florence Foster Jenkins is based on the true story of the wealthy philanthropist of the same name, who decided to become a singer even though she, from all accounts, could not sing well. In fact, she was even dubbed "the world's worst opera singer"!
A fascinating story of being absolutely determined to follow your dreams, no matter the reception you might get!
18.Clouds
Based on the memoir Fly A Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom's Small Prayer in a Big Way by Laura Sobiech, this biopic tells us the tale of teenager Zach Sobiech, who decided to follow his dream of becoming a musician after finding out he only had 6 to 10 months to live.
You'll need the tissues for this one!
19.Notorious
Notorious tells the tale of the late rapper Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. It follows his life from childhood to fame, weaving a tale involving drugs, rap, and tragedy, painting a picture of his life up until his murder in the late '90s.
20.The Doors
As you may have guessed from its title, this biopic is all about American rock band The Doors. The film brings lead singer Jim Morrison to life as a '60s rock and roll icon who was immersed in the hippie lifestyle and a strong advocate of the free love movement. It charts his growing alcoholism, use of recreational and hallucinogenic drugs, and ultimately, his growing obsession with death.
Val Kilmer takes on the role of the leading man, and while his performance was applauded, the film as a whole received criticism for inaccuracies and the portrayal of Morrison.
21.Elvis
Just in case you clicked onto this article out of pure intrigue and you haven't actually seen Elvis, I'll tell you about it!
This Baz Luhrmann movie stars Austin Butler as the King of Rock and Roll, charting his rise from performing at small country music shows to leading the world's first solo artist concert to be aired globally, being seen by a billion or more people.
It also shows the controversy around Elvis, whose musical sound and performance style were considered to "cross color lines" in racially segregated southern America, as well as his relationships, his mistreatment at the hands of manager Tom Parker, and his ultimate drug use and death.
Unexpectedly sad and truly immersive thanks to Austin Butler's incredible performance as the enigmatic Elvis.
