Whether you’re queuing up your favorite tracks on iTunes or spinning songs on classic vinyl, music really does provide the soundtrack of our lives. And maybe because music is such a touchstone for our best memories—and our worst—that when it comes to musical biopics, we can’t ever seem to get enough.
But whether you’re a fan of the tunes or the tunester, we’ve got a list of can’t-miss flicks guaranteed to keep you entertained, and just maybe up your musical game.
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018)
Rami Malek snagged an Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
If you’re looking for a star-making lead performance and an unforgettable story, then “Bohemian Rhapsody” will definitely not disappoint. ‘
The film traces the birth and ascendance of one of the world’s most iconic rock bands, Queen. But, more than that, it also powerfully portrays the early ravages of the AIDS epidemic as experienced through the eyes of one of its first and most prominent victims, Queen’s legendary lead singer and songwriter, Freddie Mercury.
Rami Malek’s Oscar-winning performance in the lead role often feels more like the spiritual channeling of a gifted medium than the imitation of a talented actor. And if the superb acting performances aren’t enough to win you over, then Queen’s incomparable score surely will.
‘Rocketman’ (2019)
Taron Egerton as the enigmatic Elton John in “Rocketman.”
In some ways, “Rocketman,” Dexter Fletcher’s 2019 biography of the extraordinary life of the iconic Sir Elton John, conforms to the standard formula of the musical biopic. The talented but troubled artist claws his way to unlikely success before suffering an ignominious fall and ultimate redemption.
But “Rocketman”is more than a standard story of an exceptional life driven by outstanding talent. The film is billed as a “musical fantasy” that in some moments reads more like a nightmarish dreamscape of drugs, madness, and sadness.
Taron Egerton’s poignant portrayal of John’s battles with anxiety and depression, his drug dependency, and his struggle with sexuality is often wrenchingly poignant, notwithstanding Fletcher’s cinematic fireworks.
John’s travails with forging lasting and healthy relationships as he battles his own inner demons lay the groundwork for the film, which opens, unforgettably, with John recounting the story of his life and loves while dressed in a devil’s costume during a stint in rehab. During this specific time in history, disorders such as depression and anxiety, which likely fueled John’s addictions, weren’t properly treated. Thus, not only did he end up in rehab, but he didn’t have the skills to form relationships and even dating someone with mental health disorders takes particular effort.
But if the fun, fantasy, and drama aren’t enough to whet your appetite for “Rocketman,” then the soundtrack surely will. In addition to rollicking performances of familiar favorites, the film also features an Academy Award-winning original song written and performed by John and long-time collaborator, Bernie Taupin.
‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ (1980)
Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn in 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
If country music is a little bit more your speed, then Michael Apted’s 1980 film, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is a must-see. Apted’s atmospheric narrative of the hard-scrabble youth and meteoric rise of the legendary Loretta Lynn has all the ups and downs of a good country song.
Part family drama, part soap opera, and part cautionary tale about the perils of success, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is about as satisfying as cruising a winding country road on a moonlight night with the windows of your pickup truck rolled down and Hank Williams blaring from the radio.
‘Bird’ (1988)
Forrest Whitaker as Charlie “Bird” Parker in Clint Eastwood’s 1988 film.
If you’re looking to take a break from rock ‘n roll, then you should definitely give “Bird,” director Clint Eastwood’s paean to the pioneering, but frustratingly elusive, jazz saxophonist, Charlie “Bird” Parker, a viewing.
The sad fact is that outside of Eastwood’s acclaimed tribute, we don’t know a lot about Parker the man outside of his tragically premature death of drug addiction at the tender age of 34. What we do have is the music. And that includes Parker’s “Ko-Ko,” which features not only Parker’s soaring saxophone but what is also now recognized as one of the most famous trumpet solos of all time, performed by none other than the great Miles Davis.
‘Amadeus’ (1984)
Tom Hulce in a scene from “Amadeus” (1984).
If we’re going to take a cinematic voyage into musical history, then we might as well go all the way back to the music world’s original bad boy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Milos Forman’s 1984 film, “Amadeus,” was one of the most storied flicks of the year, garnering eight Academic Awards, including ‘Best Picture.’
With good reason. Forman’s film is a sumptuous, even hedonistic, foray into the debaucheries of upper-class 18th Century Vienna. And if you ever thought classical music was boring, “Amadeus”will quickly disabuse you of that idea.
Under Forman’s direction and Hulce’s powerhouse performance in the title role, the film is at once mesmerizing and deliciously fun—a story of overindulgence, complete with powdered wigs and pantaloons. What more could you ask?
The Takeaway
If you’re having trouble deciding between an evening spent listening to your favorite tracks or losing yourself for a few hours in a great movie, why not have the best of both worlds? Biopics about musicians are a dime a dozen, but there are some that stand, both musically and cinematically, heads and shoulders above the rest. Whether you’re a rock ‘n roll rebel, a country queen or king, a jazz jammer, or a classical connoisseur, these flicks are the perfect way to get your groove on for a Saturday…or Sunday…or Monday night.
– by Frankie Wallace
