The 10 Best Music Biopics of All Time 2023

Almost everyone loves music. Whether it’s classic rock, hip-hop or jazz, there’s something for everyone. Some of the most influential people of the past century were musicians who had a lot to say (Bono, are you there?). But what’s most fascinating about many of these artists, and what gives them so much impact on people’s lives, is often their personal journeys, whether it’s how they grew up or how they pursued fame. .

It is said that music can soothe the soul and bring joy to one’s life, and in the case of many of these artists, that is exactly what keeps them going. Today, we’ve compiled a list of the best music biopics of all time, bringing you only the best of these on-screen song stories.

1. Walking (2005)

Directed by James Mangold (Logan), Walk The Line follows Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, not to mention the beginnings of his troubled love life. he with June Carter (Rese Witherspoon). While parts of the story are embellished (Cash isn’t as troubled in his relationship with his father as the movie would have you believe), the overall message of love and loss is strong, as are the performances. performing music by Phoenix and Witherspoon (the latter sounds even better than the original).

The That’s not me, baby the performance is especially heartbreaking when Cash decides to officially leave one woman for another. However, many Cash fans and family members, such as his real-life daughter Rosanne Cash, criticized the film, as it did not tell any story about Cash beyond his years. 1960, it is difficult to appreciate the entire life of the country legend when watching the film. this movie. Exclusions included sociopolitical controversy and his heavy Christian faith, both of which became staples of his career, earning him the nickname and reputation of the Man in Black .

2. Straight Out Compton (2015)

Straight Outta Compton is a biopic about the infamous hip-hop group N.W.A., from their early rise to fame to their ultimate demise, and it’s excellent.

The film seems to constantly keep you entertained, with performances that really sell the story the film tells Boys in the neighborhood telling. It’s real, emotional, and will cause passionate reactions when you see Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Easy-E (Jason Mitchell) and the rest in the troupe actually went through to launch their careers.

The film was directed by F. Gary Gray (who had previously directed Dr. Dre and Ice Cube music videos) and, like N.W.A. itself, ended up causing much controversy. Besides the actual gang violence that occurred on set (such as an actual shooting while filming in Compton), NWA member MC Ren (played by Aldis Hodge in the film) and NWA founding member Arabian Prince (who was completely removed) spoke out against the film excluding their story. But hey, they got Ice Cube’s son to play him in the movie, so that’s pretty cool!

3. Rocket Man (2019)

Perhaps the most experimental film on this list, Rocketman, directed by Dexter Fletcher (Bohemian Rhapsody) is the story of the life and times of British pop icon Sir Elton John, played by Taron Egerton. excellent way. Unlike many of the movies on this list, Rocketman, named after John’s 1972 song of the same name, was never intended to be a “chronologically accurate” depiction of Elton John’s life.

Instead, it uses more experimental and abstract techniques to tell a very specific story. It’s truly unique in terms of biography, with Elton John and husband David Furnish serving as producers, having significant input into the film’s production.

Egerton truly portrays Elton John, demonstrating his struggles with addiction (alcohol, drugs, and sex) while also performing powerful musical numbers to John’s most famous tunes. With 21 different songs on the soundtrack (plus a new single performed by Egerton and Elton John himself), each song is packed with excitement.

4. The Story of Best Friend Holly (1978)

Garey Busey stars as 1950s rock star Buddy Holly in the aptly named The Buddy Holly Story, which chronicles the singer-songwriter’s life from 1956 until “the day the music died.” .

Busey, as well as the rest of the cast, performed live on set (you actually hear his voice) in a performance that truly encapsulates the spirit of the original rock star. He even lost 32 pounds to better match Holly’s actual physical condition. The role even earned him an Academy Award nomination and the film itself won an Oscar for the musical.

The Story of Buddy Holly was well received by critics and general audiences alike. In fact, the movie is rated 100% rotten tomatoes with 30 reviews and 77% audience rating. To this day, the film remains the definitive version of the Buddy Holly story.

5. 8 Miles (2002)

Although 8 Mile is not strictly a biopic, it is based on the life of hip-hop artist Eminem, who played Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. In the movie. 8 Mile, whose title comes from “The 8 Mile Road” between predominantly black Detroit and the predominantly white northern suburbs, is the story of an underdog white man fighting struggled to break into a predominantly black industry.

It is a unique, fictionalized telling of Eminem’s own life story filled with urban drama and rap battles that ultimately succeeds thanks to the artist’s commitment to the role and the experience. the reality he brought to that role.

The film, directed by Curtis Hanson (LA Confidential) and written by Scott Silver (Joker), also stands out thanks to its well-rounded cast that includes Mekhi Phifer, Michael Shannon, Anthony Mackie, Kim Basinger and the late Brittney Murphy. The film’s soundtrack was also a huge success, certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, with the film being a hit single. Lose yourself won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year.

6. Amadeus (1984)

Milos Forman’s Amadeus is widely accepted as one of the best biographical films of all time, following the fictionalized account of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). The story behind Motzart’s great compositions and his rivalry with Antonio Salieri (Murray Abraham) expands on the famous composer’s life in this tale of murder and revenge.

Amadeus, like Motzart’s musical achievements, is considered one of the greatest in the history of cinema. Composer Maurice Jarre, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Score that same year for A Passage to India, declared in his acceptance speech: “I was lucky that Mozart did not qualify for the award. join this year”.

Another film on this list that is more fiction than fact, Amadeus has wowed audiences since its release and was even added to the United States National Film Registry at the Library of Congress because “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. The film, essentially an adaptation of the play of the same name, does wonders by bringing to life 18th century Vienna with accurate costumes, settings and characterization.

7. Ray (2004)

Ray tells the story of the life of blues singer Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx). Foxx knocks it out of the park as R&B legend Charles, who some say is even “more important than Elvis Prestley.”

Ray is a powerful film that offers an intimate and realistic look at the life of Ray Charles, who passed away just a few months before the film’s release. Foxx played the role very passionately, skillfully lip-syncing to songs like Press Jack line, Around clutterAnd What have I said with complete ease.

Ray is also relatively honest. Although there are some fictional details to enhance the overall story, the film remains open and honest about Charles’ frequent heavy drug use and various extramarital affairs. It’s a great movie that really captures the spirit of Brother Ray.

8. Control (2007)

Dubbed “the best British film of 2007,” Control tells the story of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), singer of the late 70s post-punk band Joy Division. Perhaps the least famous artist on this list, Ian Curtis’s band Joy Division didn’t last long.

The film covers a five-year period (1975–1980) and is a haphazard depiction of Curtis’s life, focusing primarily on his suicidal depression, infidelity, and epileptic seizures. As the band struggles to achieve the success Ian desires, we see his marriage to Deborah begin to fail. To be honest, Control is quite heartbreaking.

The film’s title is taken from the song Joy Division She lost control, which fits well into the plot as Curtis begins to lose all control of his life. One of the more interesting things about the film is that director Anton Corbijn had previously worked with Joy Division as the band’s photographer, giving him a more personal perspective when handling the story.

9. Elvis (1979)

Perhaps one of the more interesting movies on our list is Forgotten Elvis, a drama directed by John Carpenter (The Thing) and starring Kurt Russell as Elvis Presley. Elvis follows the life of the King of Rock n’ Roll all the way up to 1970, with the credits rolling before the final (and sad) few years of Elvis’ life begin.

While Russell does a good job as the King, he doesn’t actually sing any of the songs himself, with country music star Ronnie McDowell performing all of his songs (which he actually recorded 36 different songs for the film, only 25 were used). McDowell himself is best known for his hit singles The king is goneit’s about Prestley’s death.

The film was released two years after Presley’s death in 1977 on ABC and was extremely successful on television, beating out two broadcast blockbusters: Gone with the Wind on CBS and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on CBS. NBC, with a 27.3 Nielsen rating. While this may seem like nothing to write home about now, back then, along with multiple Golden Globe nominations, this meant a lot to the world. You will leave this one Everything shook.

10. What does love have to do with it? (1993)

Perhaps Angela Bassett’s most iconic role, What’s Love Got to Do With It? is a biopic about the Queen of Rock n’ Roll herself, Tina Turner. R&B superstar Turner is an icon, so it’s no surprise that a biopic about the legend would appear, although it’s strange that it was made during the star’s lifetime (Turner is still alive). lives and is currently a Swiss citizen).

Based on her book I, Tina: My Life Story, the film does a great job of adapting her words to the screen, although there are some obvious differences. One of the biggest was Turner’s relationship with Raymond Hill which resulted in the birth of her son. This was omitted by Disney in the film. Bassett’s performance as Turner is astonishing, bringing real power to the story of this American icon.

Lawrence Fishburn (The Matrix) plays Ike Turner, Turner’s abusive, drug-addicted ex-husband, and the role is terrifying. He reportedly turned it down five times before Bassett was chosen, which further solidified his interest. What does love have to do with it? is a thrilling drama with memorable performances and familiar music that will give you a deeper look into the life of a legend.

Categories: Entertainment
Source: Tekmonk Bio