Just about everyone loves music. Whether it’s classic rock, hip-hop, or jazz, there’s something out there for everyone. Some of the most influential people in the past century have been musicians who have a lot to say (Bono, are you out there?). But what’s most compelling about a lot of these artists, and what gives them so much influence over people’s lives, is often their own personal journeys, be it how they grew up or how they pursued fame. It’s been said that music can soothe the soul and bring joy to one’s life, and often in the case of many of these artists that’s exactly what keeps them going. Today, we’ve put a list together of the best music biopics of all time, bringing you only the best-of-the-best of these song-to-screen stories.
- Walk The Line (2005)
Directed by James Mangold (Logan), Walk The Line is about Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, not to mention the beginning of his rocky courtship with June Carter (Rese Witherspoon). While parts of the story are embellished (Cash didn’t have as troubled a relationship with his father as the movie would lead you to believe), the overall message of love and loss is strong, as are the musical performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon (the latter even sounds better than the original). The It Ain’t Me, Babe performance is especially gut-wrenching as Cash decides to officially leave one woman for another. Many Cash fans and family members, such as his real-life daughter Rosanne Cash, were critical of the film, however, as it doesn’t tell any of Cash’s story beyond the 1960s, it’s hard to judge the country legend’s entire life from watching this movie. The exclusions include his socio-political controversy and heavy Christian faith, both of which became a staple of his career, earning his nickname and reputation as the Man in Black. 2. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Straight Outta Compton is a biopic all about the infamous hip-hop group N.W.A., from their initial rise to fame to their eventual downfall, and it’s excellent. The movie seems to constantly kick you in the guts, with performances that really sell the story that the Boyz-n-the-Hood are telling. It’s raw, emotional, and will inflict a passionate response as you see what Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Easy-E (Jason Mitchell), and the rest of the crew actually went through to launch their careers. The film, directed by F. Gary Gray (who previously directed Dr. Dre and Ice Cube music videos), just like N.W.A. themselves, ended up being super controversial. Besides the actual gang violence that occurred on set (such as a real shooting when filming in Compton), N.W.A. member MC Ren (played by Aldis Hodge in the film) and founding N.W.A. member Arabian Prince (who was removed entirely) spoke out against the film’s exclusion of their stories. But hey, they got Ice Cube’s son to play him in the movie, so that’s pretty neat! 3. Rocketman (2019)
Probably the most experimental film on this list, Rocketman, directed by Dexter Fletcher (Bohemian Rhapsody) is a story about the life and times of British pop icon Sir Elton John, played masterfully by Taron Egerton. Unlike many of the films on this list, Rocketman, titled after John’s 1972 song of the same name, was never meant to be a “chronologically precise” depiction of Elton John’s life. Instead, it uses more experimental and abstract techniques to tell a very specific story. It’s truly unique as far as biopics go, with Elton John and husband David Furnish acting as producers, having considerable input in the film’s production. Egerton truly delivers as Elton John, showing his struggles with addictions (alcohol, drugs, and sex) while also performing powerful musical numbers set to John’s most famous tunes. With 21 different songs on the soundtrack (plus a new single performed by Egerton and Elton John himself), there is so much excitement in each and every number. 4. The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Garey Busey stars as 1950s rockstar Buddy Holly in the aptly named film, The Buddy Holly Story, which chronicles the singer-songwriter’s life from 1956 until “the day the music died.” Busey, as with the rest of the cast, performed live on set (it’s actually his voice you hear) in a performance that really encapsulates the spirit of the original rockstar. He even lost 32 pounds to be more in line with Holly’s actual physicality. The role even earned him an Academy Award nomination, and the film itself won an Oscar for its musical score. The Buddy Holly Story was incredibly well-received by critics and general audiences alike. In fact, the film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 30 reviews and a 77% audience rating. To this day, the film is by far the definitive version of Buddy Holly’s story. 5. 8 Mile (2002)
While 8 Mile isn’t strictly a biopic, it’s loosely based on the life of hip-hop artist Eminem, who plays Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. in the film. 8 Mile, whose title comes from the “8 Mile Road” between the predominantly black city of Detroit and the mostly white northern suburbs, is a story about a white underdog fighting to break into a mostly black industry. It’s a unique, fictionalized take on Eminem’s own life story filled with urban drama and rap battles that ultimately succeeds because of the artist’s commitment to the role and the real-world experience he brought to it. The film, directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) and written by Scott Silver (Joker), also stands out due to its well-rounded cast that includes Mekhi Phifer, Michael Shannon, Anthony Mackie, Kim Basinger, and the late Brittney Murphy. The soundtrack was also a huge success, certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, with the film’s hit single Lose Yourself winning that year’s Academy Award for Best Original Song.
See more about - The 15 Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies Of All Time
- Amadeus (1984)
Milos Forman’s Amadeus is widely accepted as one of the greatest biopics of all time, following a fictionalized account of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). The backstory behind Motzart’s heavenly compositions and his rivalry with Antonio Salieri (Murray Abraham) expands upon the life of the famous composer in a tale of murder and revenge. Amadeus, like Motzart’s musical accomplishments themselves, has been considered one of the greatest achievements in film history. Composer Maurice Jarre, who won the Oscar for Best Original Music Score that same year for his work on A Passage to India, declared in his acceptance speech, “I was lucky Mozart wasn’t eligible this year.” Another film on this list that’s more fiction than fact, Amadeus has amazed audiences since its release and has even been added to the United States National Film Registry at the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film, which is actually an adaptation of the play of the same name, does wonders bringing to life 18th century Vienna with accurate costuming, set pieces, and characterization. 7. Ray (2004)
Ray follows the life of rhythm & blues singer Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx). Foxx knocks it out of the park as R&B legend Charles, who was thought by some as even “more important than Elvis Prestley.” Ray is a powerful film that takes an honest and thoughtful look at the life of Ray Charles, who passed away only a few months before the film’s premiere. Foxx is intoxicating in the role, skillfully lip-syncing to songs like Hit the Road Jack, Mess Around, and What’d I Say with complete ease. Ray is also relatively honest. While there is some fictionalization to enhance the overall narrative, the film is open and authentic about Charles’ consistent hard drug use and various extramarital affairs. It’s a great film that truly captures the spirit of Brother Ray. 8. Control (2007)
Labeled the “coolest British movie of 2007,” Control is all about the life of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), the singer of the late 70s post-punk band Joy Division. Probably the least well-known artist on this list, Ian Curtis’ band Joy Division did not last long. The film covers a period of five years (1975-1980) and is a messy depiction of Curtis’ life, focusing primarily on his suicidal depression, infidelity, and epileptic seizures. As the band struggles to achieve Ian’s desired success, we see his marriage to Deborah begin to fail. Honestly, Control is pretty heartbreaking. The film’s title comes from the Joy Division song She’s Lost Control, which lends itself nicely to the plot as Curtis begins losing all control over his life. One of the more interesting things about the film is that its director, Anton Corbijn, had previously worked with Joy Division as the band’s photographer, giving him a more personal vision when tackling the story. 9. Elvis (1979)
Probably one of the more interesting movies on our list is the forgotten Elvis, a made-for-television film 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 until 1970, with the credits rolling before the final few (and sad) years of Elvis’ life kicked in. While Russell performs well as the King, he doesn’t actually do any of the singing himself, with country star Ronnie McDowell performing all of his tracks (he actually recorded 36 different songs for the film, with only 25 used). McDowell himself is most well-known for his hit single The King is Gone, which was about Prestley’s death. The film was released two years after Presley’s death in 1977 on ABC and was incredibly successful on television, beating out two blockbuster airings: Gone With The Wind on CBS and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on NBC, with a 27.3 Nielsen rating. While this might not seem like anything to write home about now, back then, along with its multiple Golden Globe nominations, this meant the world. You’ll walk away from this one All Shook Up. 10. What’s Love Got to Do With It? (1993)
Possibly Angela Bassett’s most iconic role, What’s Love Got to Do With It? is a biopic all about the Queen of Rock n’ Roll herself, Tina Turner. R&B superstar Turner is an icon, so it’s no wonder a biopic about the legend would surface, though it’s odd that it was made during the star’s life (Turner is still alive and is a current citizen of Switzerland). Based on her book I, Tina: My Life Story, the film does a decent job at adapting her words onto the screen, though there are some obvious discrepancies. One of the biggest was Turner’s relationship with Raymond Hill which resulted in the birth of her son. This was omitted from the film by Disney. Bassett’s performance as Turner is incredible, bringing real power to this American icon’s story. Lawrence Fishburn (The Matrix) plays Ike Turner, Turner’s abusive, drug-addict ex-husband, and is scary in the role. He reportedly turned it down five times before Bassett was cast, solidifying his interest. What’s Love Got to Do With It? is an intense drama with memorable performances and familiar music that will give you a deeper glimpse into the life of a legend.
See more about - The 40 Essential Albums To Own On Vinyl
Just about everyone loves music. Whether it’s classic rock, hip-hop, or jazz, there’s something out there for everyone. Some of the most influential people in the past century have been musicians who have a lot to say (Bono, are you out there?). But what’s most compelling about a lot of these artists, and what gives them so much influence over people’s lives, is often their own personal journeys, be it how they grew up or how they pursued fame. It’s been said that music can soothe the soul and bring joy to one’s life, and often in the case of many of these artists that’s exactly what keeps them going. Today, we’ve put a list together of the best music biopics of all time, bringing you only the best-of-the-best of these song-to-screen stories.
- Walk The Line (2005)
Directed by James Mangold (Logan), Walk The Line is about Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, not to mention the beginning of his rocky courtship with June Carter (Rese Witherspoon). While parts of the story are embellished (Cash didn’t have as troubled a relationship with his father as the movie would lead you to believe), the overall message of love and loss is strong, as are the musical performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon (the latter even sounds better than the original). The It Ain’t Me, Babe performance is especially gut-wrenching as Cash decides to officially leave one woman for another. Many Cash fans and family members, such as his real-life daughter Rosanne Cash, were critical of the film, however, as it doesn’t tell any of Cash’s story beyond the 1960s, it’s hard to judge the country legend’s entire life from watching this movie. The exclusions include his socio-political controversy and heavy Christian faith, both of which became a staple of his career, earning his nickname and reputation as the Man in Black. 2. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Straight Outta Compton is a biopic all about the infamous hip-hop group N.W.A., from their initial rise to fame to their eventual downfall, and it’s excellent. The movie seems to constantly kick you in the guts, with performances that really sell the story that the Boyz-n-the-Hood are telling. It’s raw, emotional, and will inflict a passionate response as you see what Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Easy-E (Jason Mitchell), and the rest of the crew actually went through to launch their careers. The film, directed by F. Gary Gray (who previously directed Dr. Dre and Ice Cube music videos), just like N.W.A. themselves, ended up being super controversial. Besides the actual gang violence that occurred on set (such as a real shooting when filming in Compton), N.W.A. member MC Ren (played by Aldis Hodge in the film) and founding N.W.A. member Arabian Prince (who was removed entirely) spoke out against the film’s exclusion of their stories. But hey, they got Ice Cube’s son to play him in the movie, so that’s pretty neat! 3. Rocketman (2019)
Probably the most experimental film on this list, Rocketman, directed by Dexter Fletcher (Bohemian Rhapsody) is a story about the life and times of British pop icon Sir Elton John, played masterfully by Taron Egerton. Unlike many of the films on this list, Rocketman, titled after John’s 1972 song of the same name, was never meant to be a “chronologically precise” depiction of Elton John’s life. Instead, it uses more experimental and abstract techniques to tell a very specific story. It’s truly unique as far as biopics go, with Elton John and husband David Furnish acting as producers, having considerable input in the film’s production. Egerton truly delivers as Elton John, showing his struggles with addictions (alcohol, drugs, and sex) while also performing powerful musical numbers set to John’s most famous tunes. With 21 different songs on the soundtrack (plus a new single performed by Egerton and Elton John himself), there is so much excitement in each and every number. 4. The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Garey Busey stars as 1950s rockstar Buddy Holly in the aptly named film, The Buddy Holly Story, which chronicles the singer-songwriter’s life from 1956 until “the day the music died.” Busey, as with the rest of the cast, performed live on set (it’s actually his voice you hear) in a performance that really encapsulates the spirit of the original rockstar. He even lost 32 pounds to be more in line with Holly’s actual physicality. The role even earned him an Academy Award nomination, and the film itself won an Oscar for its musical score. The Buddy Holly Story was incredibly well-received by critics and general audiences alike. In fact, the film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 30 reviews and a 77% audience rating. To this day, the film is by far the definitive version of Buddy Holly’s story. 5. 8 Mile (2002)
While 8 Mile isn’t strictly a biopic, it’s loosely based on the life of hip-hop artist Eminem, who plays Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. in the film. 8 Mile, whose title comes from the “8 Mile Road” between the predominantly black city of Detroit and the mostly white northern suburbs, is a story about a white underdog fighting to break into a mostly black industry. It’s a unique, fictionalized take on Eminem’s own life story filled with urban drama and rap battles that ultimately succeeds because of the artist’s commitment to the role and the real-world experience he brought to it. The film, directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) and written by Scott Silver (Joker), also stands out due to its well-rounded cast that includes Mekhi Phifer, Michael Shannon, Anthony Mackie, Kim Basinger, and the late Brittney Murphy. The soundtrack was also a huge success, certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, with the film’s hit single Lose Yourself winning that year’s Academy Award for Best Original Song.
See more about - The 15 Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies Of All Time
- Amadeus (1984)
Milos Forman’s Amadeus is widely accepted as one of the greatest biopics of all time, following a fictionalized account of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). The backstory behind Motzart’s heavenly compositions and his rivalry with Antonio Salieri (Murray Abraham) expands upon the life of the famous composer in a tale of murder and revenge. Amadeus, like Motzart’s musical accomplishments themselves, has been considered one of the greatest achievements in film history. Composer Maurice Jarre, who won the Oscar for Best Original Music Score that same year for his work on A Passage to India, declared in his acceptance speech, “I was lucky Mozart wasn’t eligible this year.” Another film on this list that’s more fiction than fact, Amadeus has amazed audiences since its release and has even been added to the United States National Film Registry at the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film, which is actually an adaptation of the play of the same name, does wonders bringing to life 18th century Vienna with accurate costuming, set pieces, and characterization. 7. Ray (2004)
Ray follows the life of rhythm & blues singer Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx). Foxx knocks it out of the park as R&B legend Charles, who was thought by some as even “more important than Elvis Prestley.” Ray is a powerful film that takes an honest and thoughtful look at the life of Ray Charles, who passed away only a few months before the film’s premiere. Foxx is intoxicating in the role, skillfully lip-syncing to songs like Hit the Road Jack, Mess Around, and What’d I Say with complete ease. Ray is also relatively honest. While there is some fictionalization to enhance the overall narrative, the film is open and authentic about Charles’ consistent hard drug use and various extramarital affairs. It’s a great film that truly captures the spirit of Brother Ray. 8. Control (2007)
Labeled the “coolest British movie of 2007,” Control is all about the life of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), the singer of the late 70s post-punk band Joy Division. Probably the least well-known artist on this list, Ian Curtis’ band Joy Division did not last long. The film covers a period of five years (1975-1980) and is a messy depiction of Curtis’ life, focusing primarily on his suicidal depression, infidelity, and epileptic seizures. As the band struggles to achieve Ian’s desired success, we see his marriage to Deborah begin to fail. Honestly, Control is pretty heartbreaking. The film’s title comes from the Joy Division song She’s Lost Control, which lends itself nicely to the plot as Curtis begins losing all control over his life. One of the more interesting things about the film is that its director, Anton Corbijn, had previously worked with Joy Division as the band’s photographer, giving him a more personal vision when tackling the story. 9. Elvis (1979)
Probably one of the more interesting movies on our list is the forgotten Elvis, a made-for-television film 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 until 1970, with the credits rolling before the final few (and sad) years of Elvis’ life kicked in. While Russell performs well as the King, he doesn’t actually do any of the singing himself, with country star Ronnie McDowell performing all of his tracks (he actually recorded 36 different songs for the film, with only 25 used). McDowell himself is most well-known for his hit single The King is Gone, which was about Prestley’s death. The film was released two years after Presley’s death in 1977 on ABC and was incredibly successful on television, beating out two blockbuster airings: Gone With The Wind on CBS and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on NBC, with a 27.3 Nielsen rating. While this might not seem like anything to write home about now, back then, along with its multiple Golden Globe nominations, this meant the world. You’ll walk away from this one All Shook Up. 10. What’s Love Got to Do With It? (1993)
Possibly Angela Bassett’s most iconic role, What’s Love Got to Do With It? is a biopic all about the Queen of Rock n’ Roll herself, Tina Turner. R&B superstar Turner is an icon, so it’s no wonder a biopic about the legend would surface, though it’s odd that it was made during the star’s life (Turner is still alive and is a current citizen of Switzerland). Based on her book I, Tina: My Life Story, the film does a decent job at adapting her words onto the screen, though there are some obvious discrepancies. One of the biggest was Turner’s relationship with Raymond Hill which resulted in the birth of her son. This was omitted from the film by Disney. Bassett’s performance as Turner is incredible, bringing real power to this American icon’s story. Lawrence Fishburn (The Matrix) plays Ike Turner, Turner’s abusive, drug-addict ex-husband, and is scary in the role. He reportedly turned it down five times before Bassett was cast, solidifying his interest. What’s Love Got to Do With It? is an intense drama with memorable performances and familiar music that will give you a deeper glimpse into the life of a legend.
See more about - The 40 Essential Albums To Own On Vinyl
Just about everyone loves music. Whether it’s classic rock, hip-hop, or jazz, there’s something out there for everyone. Some of the most influential people in the past century have been musicians who have a lot to say (Bono, are you out there?). But what’s most compelling about a lot of these artists, and what gives them so much influence over people’s lives, is often their own personal journeys, be it how they grew up or how they pursued fame.
It’s been said that music can soothe the soul and bring joy to one’s life, and often in the case of many of these artists that’s exactly what keeps them going. Today, we’ve put a list together of the best music biopics of all time, bringing you only the best-of-the-best of these song-to-screen stories.
1. Walk The Line (2005)
Directed by James Mangold (Logan), Walk The Line is about Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, not to mention the beginning of his rocky courtship with June Carter (Rese Witherspoon). While parts of the story are embellished (Cash didn’t have as troubled a relationship with his father as the movie would lead you to believe), the overall message of love and loss is strong, as are the musical performances by Phoenix and Witherspoon (the latter even sounds better than the original).
The It Ain’t Me, Babe performance is especially gut-wrenching as Cash decides to officially leave one woman for another. Many Cash fans and family members, such as his real-life daughter Rosanne Cash, were critical of the film, however, as it doesn’t tell any of Cash’s story beyond the 1960s, it’s hard to judge the country legend’s entire life from watching this movie. The exclusions include his socio-political controversy and heavy Christian faith, both of which became a staple of his career, earning his nickname and reputation as the Man in Black.
2. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Straight Outta Compton is a biopic all about the infamous hip-hop group N.W.A., from their initial rise to fame to their eventual downfall, and it’s excellent.
The movie seems to constantly kick you in the guts, with performances that really sell the story that the Boyz-n-the-Hood are telling. It’s raw, emotional, and will inflict a passionate response as you see what Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Easy-E (Jason Mitchell), and the rest of the crew actually went through to launch their careers.
The film, directed by F. Gary Gray (who previously directed Dr. Dre and Ice Cube music videos), just like N.W.A. themselves, ended up being super controversial. Besides the actual gang violence that occurred on set (such as a real shooting when filming in Compton), N.W.A. member MC Ren (played by Aldis Hodge in the film) and founding N.W.A. member Arabian Prince (who was removed entirely) spoke out against the film’s exclusion of their stories. But hey, they got Ice Cube’s son to play him in the movie, so that’s pretty neat!
3. Rocketman (2019)
Probably the most experimental film on this list, Rocketman, directed by Dexter Fletcher (Bohemian Rhapsody) is a story about the life and times of British pop icon Sir Elton John, played masterfully by Taron Egerton. Unlike many of the films on this list, Rocketman, titled after John’s 1972 song of the same name, was never meant to be a “chronologically precise” depiction of Elton John’s life.
Instead, it uses more experimental and abstract techniques to tell a very specific story. It’s truly unique as far as biopics go, with Elton John and husband David Furnish acting as producers, having considerable input in the film’s production.
Egerton truly delivers as Elton John, showing his struggles with addictions (alcohol, drugs, and sex) while also performing powerful musical numbers set to John’s most famous tunes. With 21 different songs on the soundtrack (plus a new single performed by Egerton and Elton John himself), there is so much excitement in each and every number.
4. The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Garey Busey stars as 1950s rockstar Buddy Holly in the aptly named film, The Buddy Holly Story, which chronicles the singer-songwriter’s life from 1956 until “the day the music died.”
Busey, as with the rest of the cast, performed live on set (it’s actually his voice you hear) in a performance that really encapsulates the spirit of the original rockstar. He even lost 32 pounds to be more in line with Holly’s actual physicality. The role even earned him an Academy Award nomination, and the film itself won an Oscar for its musical score.
The Buddy Holly Story was incredibly well-received by critics and general audiences alike. In fact, the film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 30 reviews and a 77% audience rating. To this day, the film is by far the definitive version of Buddy Holly’s story.
5. 8 Mile (2002)
While 8 Mile isn’t strictly a biopic, it’s loosely based on the life of hip-hop artist Eminem, who plays Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. in the film. 8 Mile, whose title comes from the “8 Mile Road” between the predominantly black city of Detroit and the mostly white northern suburbs, is a story about a white underdog fighting to break into a mostly black industry.
It’s a unique, fictionalized take on Eminem’s own life story filled with urban drama and rap battles that ultimately succeeds because of the artist’s commitment to the role and the real-world experience he brought to it.
The film, directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) and written by Scott Silver (Joker), also stands out due to its well-rounded cast that includes Mekhi Phifer, Michael Shannon, Anthony Mackie, Kim Basinger, and the late Brittney Murphy. The soundtrack was also a huge success, certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA, with the film’s hit single Lose Yourself winning that year’s Academy Award for Best Original Song.
See more about - The 15 Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies Of All Time
6. Amadeus (1984)
See more about - The 15 Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies Of All Time
Milos Forman’s Amadeus is widely accepted as one of the greatest biopics of all time, following a fictionalized account of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). The backstory behind Motzart’s heavenly compositions and his rivalry with Antonio Salieri (Murray Abraham) expands upon the life of the famous composer in a tale of murder and revenge.
Amadeus, like Motzart’s musical accomplishments themselves, has been considered one of the greatest achievements in film history. Composer Maurice Jarre, who won the Oscar for Best Original Music Score that same year for his work on A Passage to India, declared in his acceptance speech, “I was lucky Mozart wasn’t eligible this year.”
Another film on this list that’s more fiction than fact, Amadeus has amazed audiences since its release and has even been added to the United States National Film Registry at the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film, which is actually an adaptation of the play of the same name, does wonders bringing to life 18th century Vienna with accurate costuming, set pieces, and characterization.
7. Ray (2004)
Ray follows the life of rhythm & blues singer Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx). Foxx knocks it out of the park as R&B legend Charles, who was thought by some as even “more important than Elvis Prestley.”
Ray is a powerful film that takes an honest and thoughtful look at the life of Ray Charles, who passed away only a few months before the film’s premiere. Foxx is intoxicating in the role, skillfully lip-syncing to songs like Hit the Road Jack, Mess Around, and What’d I Say with complete ease.
Ray is also relatively honest. While there is some fictionalization to enhance the overall narrative, the film is open and authentic about Charles’ consistent hard drug use and various extramarital affairs. It’s a great film that truly captures the spirit of Brother Ray.
8. Control (2007)
Labeled the “coolest British movie of 2007,” Control is all about the life of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), the singer of the late 70s post-punk band Joy Division. Probably the least well-known artist on this list, Ian Curtis’ band Joy Division did not last long.
The film covers a period of five years (1975-1980) and is a messy depiction of Curtis’ life, focusing primarily on his suicidal depression, infidelity, and epileptic seizures. As the band struggles to achieve Ian’s desired success, we see his marriage to Deborah begin to fail. Honestly, Control is pretty heartbreaking.
The film’s title comes from the Joy Division song She’s Lost Control, which lends itself nicely to the plot as Curtis begins losing all control over his life. One of the more interesting things about the film is that its director, Anton Corbijn, had previously worked with Joy Division as the band’s photographer, giving him a more personal vision when tackling the story.
9. Elvis (1979)
Probably one of the more interesting movies on our list is the forgotten Elvis, a made-for-television film 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 until 1970, with the credits rolling before the final few (and sad) years of Elvis’ life kicked in.
While Russell performs well as the King, he doesn’t actually do any of the singing himself, with country star Ronnie McDowell performing all of his tracks (he actually recorded 36 different songs for the film, with only 25 used). McDowell himself is most well-known for his hit single The King is Gone, which was about Prestley’s death.
The film was released two years after Presley’s death in 1977 on ABC and was incredibly successful on television, beating out two blockbuster airings: Gone With The Wind on CBS and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on NBC, with a 27.3 Nielsen rating. While this might not seem like anything to write home about now, back then, along with its multiple Golden Globe nominations, this meant the world. You’ll walk away from this one All Shook Up.
10. What’s Love Got to Do With It? (1993)
Possibly Angela Bassett’s most iconic role, What’s Love Got to Do With It? is a biopic all about the Queen of Rock n’ Roll herself, Tina Turner. R&B superstar Turner is an icon, so it’s no wonder a biopic about the legend would surface, though it’s odd that it was made during the star’s life (Turner is still alive and is a current citizen of Switzerland).
Based on her book I, Tina: My Life Story, the film does a decent job at adapting her words onto the screen, though there are some obvious discrepancies. One of the biggest was Turner’s relationship with Raymond Hill which resulted in the birth of her son. This was omitted from the film by Disney. Bassett’s performance as Turner is incredible, bringing real power to this American icon’s story.
Lawrence Fishburn (The Matrix) plays Ike Turner, Turner’s abusive, drug-addict ex-husband, and is scary in the role. He reportedly turned it down five times before Bassett was cast, solidifying his interest. What’s Love Got to Do With It? is an intense drama with memorable performances and familiar music that will give you a deeper glimpse into the life of a legend.
See more about - The 40 Essential Albums To Own On Vinyl
See more about - The 40 Essential Albums To Own On Vinyl
