Biopics tell the tale of some of my favourite as well as some of my not so favourite people (some ordinary, others extraordinary), as well as idols—and I’m a sucker for a well-made biopic which does justice to its subject. So, here are my top picks when it comes to one of my favourite genres, the biopic. These biopics not only delve into the professional lives of their stars, but also into the personal, and sometimes throw up major surprises you didn’t even know existed in your favourite personality’s lives.
1. ‘Chaplin’ (1992)
Robert Downey Jr. in “Chaplin,” directed by Richard Attenborough (Carolco Pictures, 1993).
“Chaplin,” as the name suggests, is the rags to riches tale of Charlie Chaplin, regarded as one of silent cinema’s greatest showmen, who also connected with his audiences through his portrayal of the Vamp—an underdog whom one felt sympathetic towards despite his various comical shenanigans—and has carved his place in many a cinephile’s hearts.
In this biopic, he is portrayed brilliantly well by the talented Robert Downey Jr., who embodies the heart, soul, and mannerisms of Chaplin and brings him to life onscreen. We are given a deep insight into a young Charles, who was separated from his mother at a young age due to her failing mental health. Since she was the sole earner as a vaudevillian—and he and his brother are left to fend for themselves—eventually, he too begins performing, before getting his big break in the silent film industry. However, Chaplin often found himself at loggerheads with those behind the camera, mostly due to creative differences, as well as his clashing political beliefs which he staunchly refused to change. However, despite the hurdles and arguments galore, he won hearts and accomplished what he set out to do, i.e. bring a smile to people’s faces.
Downey Jr. is ably supported by his co-stars, mainly Geraldine Chaplin who plays Chaplin’s mother (her own grand mum) and turns in a superb performance, one that garnered her praise from the Golden Globes. This one is a tearjerker and not to be missed—especially if you are a fan of real and reel underdog stories that also give one a peek behind the curtains.
2. ‘Judy’ (2019)
Renée Zellweger in a scene from “Judy” (BBC Films, 2019).
Somewhere over the rainbow, I hope the late Judy Garland finally found the peace of mind and happiness she struggled to achieve when she was alive.
This biopic of the legend who graced screens as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” is a not-so-sweet tale and doesn’t sugar-coat how unhappy the actress was off-camera. This is mainly due to how close to poverty-stricken she was due to the domineering men in her life, and an unhappy love life—as well as a drug habit that threatened to eclipse her family life and took a toll on her mental health as well. The movie strikes the right balance between Judy’s exciting and colorful reel life and larger than life stage presence as well as her suffering off-stage.
I admired how one of my favorite actresses, Renée Zellweger, brought a stalwart to life onscreen with sheer grace as well as resilience, and her chemistry with the child actors who play Judy’s kids is also heartwarming. Her co-stars Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, and others contribute a lot, even in small roles which don’t threaten to steal the limelight from Judy/Renée herself. It also boasts of good production value which is always a must-have for me to like any musical.
A heartbreaking portrayal of how fame and fortune come at a cost, “Judy” is a must-watch.
3. ‘Walk the Line’ (2005)
Joaquin Phoenix in the 2005 biopic “Walk the Line” (Fox 2000 Pictures).
Another heartbreaking portrayal of the toll fame and fortune can take on a celeb’s mental health as (well as family life), “Walk the Line” is the story of Johnny Cash, as well as his second wife June who stood beside him through thick and thin. She was not only his wife, but a duet partner with a tremendous singing voice and a confidante.
The movie follows both Johnny and June through their respective singing careers, the ups and downs and everything in between. It also shines a light on Johnny’s drug use which threatens his career and his relationship with June, who loves and cares for him. It portrays Johnny as a human being who is flawed and trying to work hard at bouncing back in life, and June is his pillar of strength through it all, even when he lets her down.
Apparently, the real-life Johnny and June Cash approved of the performances of both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, who gave these performances their all. In the singing department, Joaquin is a brilliant singer and he even gets the baritone that Johnny Cash is known for just right. At times, it’s hard to tell where Phoenix ends and Cash begins. Same goes for Reese Witherspoon, who is a delight whenever she is onscreen as the bubbly, energetic June. If I had to point out one blemish, however, it would be how half-baked the relationship between Johnny and his first wife (played by Ginnifer Goodwin) seemed. It was apparently also inaccurate, according to his kids from his first wife, and her character isn’t well sketched out and seemed as if she was vilified, through no fault of her own. It also doesn’t allow Ginnifer to showcase her acting abilities to her fullest.
Still, it’s a must watch for music aficionados and cinephiles alike, who will be in awe of its themes of love, friendship, and resilience—as well as brilliant soundtrack and performances.
4. ‘Rocketman’ (2019)
Taron Egerton transforms into Elton John in “Rocketman” (Paramount Pictures, 2019).
Of all the biopics that rocked the screens in 2019, “Rocketman” managed to soar higher than the rest and tell the tale of the one, the only, Sir Elton Hercules John!
For those of y’all who are late to the party, Sir Elton John is a singer known for his lavish costumes, showmanship, extremely charitable heart, LGBTQ rights activism, and is a pianist extraordinaire with killer singing skills. But all that is just one side to him. What this movie brings to the screen is a side to him that not many know about—or at least, I didn’t know about until I tuned in to this gem of a biopic. The film is based on the ups, the downs, and all the obstacles that came in Reginald’s way (Elton John’s birth name was Reginald Dwight), and what made him the spotlight-stealing star whom we all know today.
At the start, we are introduced to Elton in all his feathery, glittery, lavish, show-stopping glory as he saunters down a hallway in a larger than life, carnivalesque costume that no other musician would ever dare to wear, right before he bursts into…the doors of a rehab centre. From the get go, you realise this is a movie that isn’t gonna mince words about its protagonist’s drug issues, about his own estranged family who didn’t appreciate him like his fans did, about the people who stood by him but whom he ended up disappointing, as well as about the people whom he stood by and trusted but who ended up disappointing and betraying him instead (I won’t name them here to avoid spoilers).
Taron Egerton knocks it out of the park with an effortless larger than life performance as Elton, and keeps viewers glued to the screen with his performance as the troubled, yet energetic singer/songwriter. He is supported by the always bankable Jamie Bell as his writing partner/confidante Bernie Taupin, and their chemistry and camaraderie is unforgettable. Richard Marsden turns in a great performance as Elton’s spiteful manager and Bryce Dallas Howard is very good as Elton’s mum.
This biopic has awesome cinematography, outstanding musical numbers blended into the plot, and extravagant production value. It not only promises one hell of a good time, but also a lot of tears—so keep a box of tissues at the ready.
5. ‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)
Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing in “The Imitation Game” (Black Bear Pictures, 2014).
This movie brings to the fore the story of an underrated and overlooked mathematician named Alan Turing, who was shunned for being homosexual, but whose noteworthy contributions to the field of code-cracking resulted in Britain winning the World War II.
Benedict Cumberbatch does a commendable job of playing the introverted mathematician who kept to himself and devoted himself entirely to his work. Him being a workaholic often seemed unappealing to his colleagues, save for Joan Clarke (played very well by Keira Knightley), who believes in his work.
As the movie progresses, the focus is also put on Alan’s relationship with Joan, which sadly is a one-sided romance for Joan who isn’t aware of Turing’s homosexuality. There is a good balance of his personal life as well as his life at the workplace and some witty dialogue. The themes of same-sex love and war are also handled rather sensitively, although they could’ve been explored more in-depth. This is one biopic that you mustn’t miss, and is a great way of commemorating a man whom the world chose to forget.
6. ‘Rush’ (2013)
Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl in “Rush” (Exclusive Media Group, 2013).
I’m usually not a huge fan of sports movies or sports biopics, having only watched a handful of them, with this movie being my introduction to the sports biopic genre…and I loved every exhilarating moment of it.
It follows the ’70s rivalry between racing champions Austrian Niki Lauda and Brit James Hunt who can’t stand each other, mainly because Niki is serious about automobiles as well as racing, while his rival is more in it for fame, fortune—and of course getting laid! It also delves into how their relationship changes after a traumatic event in Lauda’s life, which almost threatens to put an end to his racing career.
Everything about this Ron Howard directorial is gripping—from the cinematography, to the pace of the proceedings, and especially the performances. As Niki Lauda and James Hunt respectively, Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth give it their all. Their rivalry as well as gradual admiration for each other both on and off the racing track (I hope that’s the correct terminology) is very believable to watch. Even Olivia Wilde and Alexandra Maria Lara lend ample support as Lauda and Hunt’s better halves—Suzy and Marlene.
A great, fiery tale of how relationships can be broken as well as mended, and how mutual respect and passion is the crux of any sport, this biopic should be on your watchlist regardless of whether you are into Formula One racing or not.
7. ‘Selena’ (1997)
Jon Seda and Jennifer Lopez in “Selena” (Q Productions, 1997).
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez is known as the ‘Queen of Tejano music,’ who rose to superstardom from humble beginnings and became well-known for both her singing and dancing abilities, as well as her down-to-earth demeanour and what would now be known as ‘edgy fashion sense’ among pop-stars. “Selena” is a biopic starring Jennifer Lopez in the lead role as this queen who conquered the music scene but sadly met an untimely end at the hands of a greedy manager.
While Jennifer Lopez doesn’t sing the songs in this biopic (she lip-syncs to the original), she breathes life into Selena and seems to have the time of her life, slipping into the costumes, oozing oomph factor, and sways her hips like a pro. It is a delight to see her sing and dance and keep Selena’s memory alive. This biopic is also well-revered among Selena’s fanbase and introduced me to her beautiful and catchy music.
I also loved the conflict portrayed in the movie between Selena and her father (played by Edward James Olmos) who occasionally disapproved and was over-protective of her outfits, her romantic relationships, and even of her sensual dance moves on stage. I also loved Lopez’ chemistry with Jon Seda who played Selena’s spouse and musician Chris Perez. Apart from great music and great performances, the work that went into keeping the costumes as authentic as possible is commendable as well.
“Selena” commemorates a woman with a big heart who left behind an even bigger legacy and is definitely a must watch.
8. ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ (2013)
Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in “Saving Mr. Banks” (Walt Disney Pictures, 2013).
A Disney offering, this biopic brings to the fore the dispute between the mega company’s founder Walt Disney and the author/creator of “Mary Poppins,” PL Travers. It explores the creative differences between Disney and Travers, as well as the backstory and inspiration behind the character of Mary Poppins, which is also engaging and even heart-breaking—since Travers came from a family whose sole bread earner, i.e. her father, was an alcoholic, and this left the family on the brink of poverty.
The narrative is a nice balance of the present proceedings as well as flashbacks of Travers’ childhood, and the production value is extravagant and lends authenticity to this period piece. I also loved listening to the catchy songs and light-hearted humorous moments peppered in, even though Travers wasn’t a big fan of Disney sugar-coating her story with sickly sweet feel-good songs as it would lose its heart and soul.
Emma Thompson is, of course, a veteran of her craft and she is impeccable as PL Travers. Even though Travers might seem like an unlikeable and picky person, Emma plays her as someone who is passionate and unable to come to terms with her creations being commercialised by a big company, and thus viewers might empathize with her. Tom Hanks as Walt Disney is a joy, but the pièce-de-résistance who leaves me impressed every damn time I watch this biopic is Colin Farrell as Travers’ alcoholic father. His role is small, but his performance is memorable.
So, if you want to know the story behind everyone’s favourite magical nanny, catch this gem of a biopic.
9. ‘The Sapphires’ (2012)
Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Miranda Tapsell, and Shari Sebbens in “The Sapphires” (Goalpost Pictures, 2012).
This Aussie biopic follows 4 Aboriginal singers and cousins who call themselves The Sapphires as they undertake a perilous journey to entertain troops during the Vietnam War along with their Irish manager who often has no clue what he’s doing.
This movie was written by the son of one of the singers of this real-life band of female singers who sought to show the world that race and colour was no bar when it came to making music, providing entertainment, and breaking barriers. It has a personal touch to it, and not only is there heart and soul in the music (a lot of the soundtrack consists of good ol’ soul music) but there is also a whole lot of heart and soul put into the screenplay in bringing such a great story to life onscreen. I also found the use of juxtaposition of scenes of war and clips of the Civil Right movements to further put forth the message of living in unity as well as fighting racism. The conflicts between the white Australians, mixed races, and Aboriginals too are highlighted in this movie and it sends a great message that music can be healing.
As far as performances go, I will be singing praises of Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, and Miranda Tapsell as The Sapphires (the strong Gail, the young Julie, the rebellious Kay, and the estranged Cynthia) who are all poles apart, yet brought together by the power of music. Chris O’Dowd as their alcoholic manager Dave never threatens to steal the show from the ladies and is a treat to watch. Usually known for his comedic chops, here he shows a flair for drama as well. Treat yourselves to this musical delight.
10. ‘Ali’ (2001)
Will Smith in “Ali” (Columbia Pictures, 2001).
This biopic is about the one and only Mohammed Ali, who taught the world to ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!’ It not only sheds light on his battles in the boxing ring, but also his battles as he encountered criticism for his political and religious beliefs. Since the biopic is set during a period of upheaval in USA when the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing, it also explores the impact of Malcolm X and other such figures on Ali’s life and the lessons he learnt from them.
Will Smith packs a punch as Mohammed Ali and his co-stars Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, and others also received critical acclaim for their performances. The action sequences in this movie are well-coordinated and well-woven into the plot. There is a great balance of the political themes as well as other elements in this movie which is not just a sports biopic but also a celebration of all that the late boxer stood for. Go help yourselves to it!
11. ‘Frida’ (2002)
Salma Hayek in a scene from “Frida” (Handprint Entertainment, 2002).
“Frida” pays tribute to Frida Kahlo—an artist who bore the pains of both her failing marriage as well as failing health and transformed these pains into works of art which are highly revered now. It not only educates viewers about the inspiration behind her art, but also on how both she and her husband Diego Riveira were vocal in regards to the political oppression that artists underwent for artistically stating their political views openly.
What I enjoyed most about this movie is how it portrayed Frida as someone who was unafraid in life, and even when nearing death was also strong-willed and knew what she wanted, career-wise as well as from her marriage to Riveira. I also loved the visuals of this movie which are colourful and a treat to the eyes. Many scenes involve the use of Frida’s art pieces which are incorporated into the scenes to tell a story.
This biopic will leave you with a sense of empowerment and even make you want to take up a brush yourself and paint away the blues!
12. ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ (2013)
Farhan Akhtar in a scene from “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” (Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Pictures, 2013).
“Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” is the tale of the failures and victories of The Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh. The movie not only highlights his accomplishment in the field of sports, but also shines a light on how his growing-up years shaped him. This is not an ordinary rag to riches story however, but a lot more graphic, since he grew up surrounded by blood and gore, when Sikhs both young and old were being persecuted and massacred. Having lost his family at a young age, the Milkha was raised by his sister, who was herself married to an abusive husband. The movie follows how he broke out and conquered the hearts of Indians as well as global crowds in the realm of Track and Field. It also recounts his failure to nab an Olympic gold medal as well as briefly exploring his love life.
“Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” features some great cinematography and direction from Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra (of “Rang de Basanti” fame) as well as great lead and supporting performances from Farhan Akhtar as The Flying Sikh himself, Sonam K. Ahuja in a small but pivotal role, Divya Dutta as Milkha’s sister Isri Kaur, and many others. The music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy itself is accolade-worthy with roaring songs like “Zinda” and even soothing love ballads. A must watch which will definitely inspire you to soar.
13. ‘Neerja’ (2016)
Sonam Kapoor in a scene from “Neerja” (Bling Unplugged, 2016).
“Neerja” is the true story of a braveheart airhostess named Neerja Bhanot who laid down her life in the line of duty, protecting passengers from a hijacking and who is still remembered for her sacrifice.
The movie not only focuses on Neerja herself but also on her relationships with her staff and her mother who loved her dearly. It is an emotionally moving film, not just because of the story that unfolds, but also because of the performances.
Say what you will about Sonam K. Ahuja, but as Neerja, she is truly inspiring to watch. She becomes one with the character and this is one of those roles where she shows prowess as an actress. She is ably supported by Shabana Azmi who plays yet another strong woman as Neerja’s mother. Jim Sarbh too is a promising actor and he is scary as one of the terrorists in this movie. Apart from the acting and the story, I also loved the songs which were very original, very memorable and even empowering in themselves.
14. ‘Sarbjit’ (2016)
Randeep Hooda in a scene from 2016’s “Sarbjit” (Legend Global Studio).
In a country where freedom is limited and misinformation is spread continuously, “Sarbjit” is the story of an inmate named Sarabjit Singh, who was falsely arrested and left to rot in prison for most of his life. It also tells the story of his sister who fought hard and for many years, running from pillar to fight for justice and freedom for him. It is a tearjerker of a story and really heart-breaking to see the siblings’ struggle.
“Sarbjit” deserves applause for its performances ranging from Randeep Hooda as Sarabjit Singh to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as his sister. While Hooda lost oodles of weight to play the part of the traumatised prisoner, Aishwarya had to rely on make-up and prosthetics for the role of the fatigued sister, but could easily pull it off with just her spot-on facial expressions and voice modulation as someone who has lost and gone through a lot for the sake of justice to come her way. Richa Chadda too is good as Sarabjit’s wife who also eagerly awaits his release and return to his homeland.
The movie spans years and years of injustice faced by an innocent man. It flew under the radar and went under appreciated when it released, but it is a must watch to open your eyes to the injustice faced by many people like Sarabjit who are prosecuted due to mistaken identity or are prisoners of war.
15. ‘Manjhi: The Mountain Man’ (2015)
Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a scene from “Manjhi: The Mountain Man” (National Film Development Corporation of India-NFDC-, 2015).
“Manjhi: The Mountain Man” is a biopic as well as love story, and tells the story of a man named Manjhi who loses the love of his life to a tragic incident and due to tardiness in getting her medical help and an unavailability of proper roads. He sets out to work to move mountains and find a solution to the problem.
Its themes like love, hardship, as well as poverty are still relevant in today’s times when medical facilities and roads/transport are a luxury to mostly just the urban folk, and it’s the people in rural regions who have to suffer the brunt of not having such a luxury.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is great in the lead role and you will surely root for him as the common man who faces hardships because he doesn’t have even basic commodities as Dashrath Manjhi. Radhika Apte is bankable as always and shares a very nice chemistry with her co-star as Manjhi’s wife who meets an untimely end and thus acts as a catalyst for the story to progress. This is a winner when it comes to the story of the underdog and mustn’t be missed.
16. ‘The Aviator’ (2004)
Leonardo DiCaprio in a scene from “The Aviator” (Forward Pass, 2004).
“The Aviator” follows the life and times of Howard Hughes, an inventor and record-setting pilot, among many other things. It also puts the spotlight on his hardships with his mental health, mainly his OCD, and also on the people in his life who support him like actress Katherine Hepburn. The film also focuses on his detractors who try to bring him down such as Senator Brewster, who is baying for Hughes’ blood throughout the movie.
The movie is an emotional roller-coaster and for me. This was a turning point in how I felt about Leonardo DiCaprio’s prowess and growth as an actor. Gone are the days when he was merely the doe-eyed Casanova and here he shines as the lonely Howard Hughes, a performance which is reminiscent of his role in “The Great Gatsby,” perfectly balancing a playboy attitude with the tired attitude of a man haunted by his personal demons which no amount of money can shoo away. Ably supporting him is Cate Blanchett in an Oscar-winning turn as Katherine Hepburn who stands by his side through his mental breakdowns.
This movie paints a harrowing picture of a businessman’s failing mental health and it won many accolades for its acting, screenplay, art direction, and editing and is worth a watch.
17. ‘Einstein and Eddington’ (2008)
David Tennant and Andy Serkis in “Einstein and Eddington” (HBO Films, 2008).
This is a biopic of a lesser known figure who played an important role in bringing Einstein’s theories to a wider audience. His name was Sir Arthur Eddington and without him, much of Einstein’s works would have been ignored by the British crowd, and no-one in the field of physics would have even known about his now renowned Theory of General Relativity.
The movie also explores the personal lives of both men, and how the women in their lives like Einstein’s wife and cousin, Mileva, and Eddington’s sister Winnifred shaped their lives and their discoveries, while simultaneously supporting the scientists in their endeavours. It alas paints a harrowing picture of the horrors of war as both the men lost their loved ones as well as their freedom during the First World War, and also how Einstein suffered for being a Jew and Eddington similarly suffered for being a Quaker and pacifist during this horrendous period in history. The scenes wherein both of them experience loss in their lives is so well-shot and well-acted out that you might need tissues.
Performance-wise, both David Tennant and Andy Serkis are top-notch as Eddington and Einstein respectively, and ably supported by their female co-stars. Rebecca Hall is lovely as Winnifred and Lucy Cohu does justice to Mileva who is constantly overshadowed by her husband’s work in the field. It also boasts of some good cinematography and production value, and the locales are very beautiful to gaze upon. If you’ve never heard about Eddington and his constant efforts which often go unnoticed, do educate yourselves by checking out this biopic.
18. ‘Spotlight’ (2015)
Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, and Mark Ruffalo in “Spotlight” (Participant, 2015).
“Spotlight” highlights the crucial importance of good journalism in today’s corrupt and deceitful world, and follows The Boston Globe’s group of investigative journalists as they race against time to uncover news of widespread paedophilia in the Catholic church by priests themselves. Of course, it received its fair share of criticism and controversy from the Church who objected to the clergy’s portrayals in the movie. However, it overcame all such criticism and is now a celebrated, bold biopic.
The screenplay leaves no stone unturned and there are twists and turns galore as the investigative journalists come forth with new cases of sexual abuse in the Church, many of which are stomach-churning. The movie also benefits from an ensemble cast of Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, and many more seasoned actors who give it their all. “Spotlight” received a lot of accolades as well and in a world of lies, it is truly a beacon of truth and offers a lot to chew on. Do give it a watch.
19. ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ (2006)
Will Smith and Jaden Smith in the 2006 film “The Pursuit of Happyness (Columbia Pictures).
This biopic is probably the most watched and most well-known, but I will mention it here anyway. “The Pursuit of Happyness” follows Chris Gardner as he follows the American dream like millions of others, starting out as a homeless salesman who eventually hits it big as a businessman and motivational speaker. It covers the hurdles he faces on this journey and how he overcomes them with sheer hard work and confidence as well as a strong will.
Accompanying Chris on his journey is his young son Christopher Jr., who is just a precious ball of sunshine in Gardner’s life and whom Gardner is trying to give a better life in this movie.
Will Smith and real-life son, Jaden (making his film debut here) are cute together and it is heart-warming to see them interact onscreen. Will reels viewers in with his realistic performance and in his paint-stained hair and raggedy clothes, he even looks the part of a man who is down on his luck but constantly looking up for a ray of hope and happiness…eventually finding it.
“The Pursuit of Happyness” is a must watch for everyone who is pursuing something in life, especially in terms of a career.
20. ‘Aligarh’ (2015)
Manoj Bajpayee in a scene from “Aligarh” (Eros International, 2015).
“Aligarh” is the tragic true story of Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who was a victim of homophobia at his own university and subjected to public humiliation via a sting operation wherein his right to privacy was snatched away, after which he was subjected to an unjust trial.
This movie was important when it came out in India mainly due to the continuous fight for LGBTQIA+ rights by activists who are subjected to homophobia on a daily basis, and this movie challenged how Indians viewed homosexuality as a sin. The movie also delves into the professor’s friendship with a journalist who helps to tell his side of the story and is his pillar of support throughout a trial which turns out to be almost like a harrowing trial by fire! The topic of homosexuality is handled in a sensitive manner, but the impact of the tale that is told is a hard-hitting one that will stay with you long after the movie has ended.
Manoj Bajpayee turns in an applause-worthy performance as Siras without stereotyping a homosexual person or overplaying/underplaying it. His mannerisms are enough for one to empathise with him and Rajkummar Rao lends ample support as Deepu, the understanding journalist. Ashish Vidyarthi too is good as Advocate Anand who must help Siras to fight for his rights. So, take a stand against homophobia and do catch this movie as it offers a lot of food for thought.
21. ‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)
Russell Crowe as mathematician John Nash in “A Beautiful Mind” (Universal Pictures, 2001).
Even the most beautiful and intelligent minds are haunted by their mental demons and John Nash, a mathematician and Nobel Laureate is no different. Nash has Schizophrenia, and this biopic shines a light on his struggles with his mental health and his perseverance. It also takes into account the sacrifices made by his wife Alicia Nash for the sake of his mental health and her harrowing experience of a woman trying to keep up with his hallucinations, which often threaten the life of their new born son as well as their marriage.
The hallucination sequences in this movie are well-shot and it is like looking through a window into the disturbed mind of Nash, played brilliantly by Russel Crowe, who won lots of accolades and critical acclaim for his performance. Jennifer Connelly as usual leaves her mark as Nash’s wife and the supporting cast like Ed Harris and Paul Bettany too are great in their supporting roles as people from Nash’s past who come back to haunt him.
22. ‘Concussion’ (2015)
Will Smith as Bennet Omalu in “Concussion” (LStar Capital, 2015).
“Concussion” isn’t just a sports biopic, but it also highlights the trauma faced by sportsmen, especially American Football players, and focuses on the hard work put in by forensic pathologist, Dr. Bennet Omalu who investigated how CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) was threatening the lives of sportsmen. Dr. Omalu helped save a lot of lives on the field, thanks to his research on the same; and, as a result, this is a biopic that is very important in acknowledging his efforts. It also tackles the NFL’s efforts in suppressing his findings which led to him encountering a lot of hurdles in his personal and professional life.
As Dr. Bennet Omalu, Will Smith seems to have done his research very well and effortlessly slips into the skin of the character, turning in a believable performance. Gugu Mbatha Raw lends him ample support as his ever-supportive wife Prema who herself is in constant danger from the NFL’s goons due to her husband’s work.
The autopsy scenes might be a bit too graphic for audiences but this biopic still serves as a reminder that even sportsmen undergo a lot for the sake of entertainment, and it is best to not take them and their mental/physical health for granted in a field that demands so much of them.
Have feedback or a favorite biopic that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
