Musical Biopics to Binge During Quarantine
Within the last decade, films about the lives of musical artists and groups have been an on and off trend. This trend has only been encouraged by the rise of streaming services which make whole libraries available to larger audiences. This includes film soundtracks, which can be an interactive experience for its fans. While most of the world is going through the most mentally taxing period of their lifetimes, it often feels surreal that the best thing one can do is stay at home whenever possible. Watching stories of extraordinary artists living in their own extraordinary time while also discovering new music can help pass the time.
Rocketman (2019)
Perhaps the most unique entry on this list, while it still is a biopic as far as telling the story of a talented and iconic soul, it is also a musical that tells the story of Elton John (played by Taron Edgerton) while incorporating his music in an incredibly heartwarming way that doesn't feel out of place at any point. This is also a unique entry as it is one of the only films where the subject was still alive to be a consultant and an active part of the filmmaking. Actor Taron Edgerton not only plays the look of Elton John but also lends his own voice to his portrayal; which can be heard on the official soundtrack. “Rocketman” is a 2 hour experience filled with a both beautiful and heartbreaking look into the gay experience of the 60s through the 80s, along with telling the story of one of the most talented musicians still living today. It takes risks and wins every time.
The Runaways (2010)
While “Rocketman” takes risks, 2010’s “The Runaways” tells the true and vulgar story of the all-female band of the same name that took the punk scene by storm. The movie stars and centers around the band's lead singer Cherie Curie and guitarist Joan Jett-- played by Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart respectively. It is also R rated, and exploits that at every possible opportunity; though seeing as the story takes place during the late 70s punk era, this works to the movie's advantage. While all musicians face their own hardships during their career, as an all girl rock band, they faced underestimation, sexism and overall toxic environments at every turn-- obstacles that were unnecessary and forced them to work even harder to prove themselves. Due to the band members being between ages 15 to 19 during this time, this film also displays that abhorrent sexualization they faced as teenage girls in a notoriously predatory industry. “The Runaways” is the story of five women that never apologized for being loud and being themselves.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
From a purely filmmaking perspective, this film is quite disappointing. The editing in it makes the many scenes confusing and hard to watch. Many of the events in the film are inaccurate compared to the real life events, despite having two of the band's members playing a heavy role in filmmaking. From a personal perspective, it is a movie I watch as often as I can and tear up at almost every viewing. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the long awaited Queen biopic named after one of the band's most recognizable songs. When I first entered the theatre to watch this for the first time, I knew maybe six of their songs, none of the band members other than Freddie Mercury and also thought that Freddie just always had a mustache.
The movie starts with a mustachioed Freddie on the morning of July 13, 1985. While I thought it was a nice introduction, the following scenes would mesmerize me. The movie flashed back to 1970, and to Freddie I had never seen before. He had long curly hair and an androgynous look, he was an immigrant, he was struggling with both his sexuality and racism, and he was also an artist. He was me. It was the first time I had ever seen that kind of representation in a film and it choked me up almost immediately. One of the most iconic frontmen and musicians of all time, and yet he was the most relatable character I've ever seen on a Hollywood screen.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” also accomplished the seemingly impossible task of finding a Freddie Mercury, which was embodied by the talented Rami Malek. Alongside Malek is Gwilym Lee as guitarist Brian May, Joe Mazello as bassist John Deacon and Ben Hardy as the golden-haired
Roger Taylor. If not to witness the incredible story of one of the most mesmerizing and legacy driven groups, the cast truly is a 1:1 replica of the musicians they were cast as. The film also showcases how big of a role each member of the band played in the making of the music, and it was not just Freddie and Co. Queen was truly a four-headed hydra that mastered every genre it touched, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” offers a perfect balance of the enigma that was Freddie Mercury and the music that was the brainchild of four equally talented musicians.
While these three suggestions are among the most well known biopics, each one tackles hardships that were stacked upon the already creaking staircase to success. Obstacles such as homophobia, sexism, and racism— all still prevalent decades after the dramatized events take place, which makes each story that much more inspiring to watch during this time.