Movie List

There have been a slew of biopics in recent years, although its history dates back to 1900 with Cyrano de Bergerac. I guess the old adage that “truth is stranger than fiction” has been taken to heart by Hollywood. The music biopic has been around a while too. The first one I could find was 1942’s Yankee Doodle Dandy, about the life of Broadway impresario George M. Cohan, with James Cagney in the lead role. Since then the silver screen has been filled with films about musicians of all stripes: vaudeville entertainers (The Jolson Story), big band jazz leaders (The Glenn Miller Story, The Gene Krupa Story), classical composers (Mahler, Immortal Beloved), smooth crooners (Beyond the Sea), and Tejano pop stars (Selena), to name a few. While these music biopics have the advantage of often colorful personalities and great soundtracks, many of them fall victim to the boring conventions of formula. Oftentimes it goes something like this: (1). hardships early in life, usually stemming from poverty, abusive parents or tragic accident (2). meteoric rise to fame (3). fall from grace, usually brought on by drugs, alcohol, or divorce (sometimes all three – see Ray and Walk the Line) (3). redemption and comeback or early, tragic death. Despite these filmic trappings, there have been some amazing biopics. Here’s a list of my favorites.

JamsBio’s Top 10 Music Biopics

#10 Control

Subject: Ian Curtis of Joy Division
The tortured vocalist and lyricist for short-lived post-punk legends Joy Division is portrayed admirably by newcomer Sam Riley. Famed photographer and music video director, Anton Corbijn, masterfully recreates the drab atmosphere of late ’70s Manchester and gives viewers a deep look into the life of Ian Curtis. Says critic Jason Buchanan, “If there was any real justice in the international cinema community, Anton Corbijn’s painstakingly heartfelt reflection on the tragically brief life and career of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis would get at least as many Academy Award nominations as James Mangold’s commendable but comparatively pedestrian Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line.”

#9 Bird

Subject: Charlie Parker
Forrest Whitaker’s masterful portrayal of jazz legend Charlie Parker alone qualifies this film as one of the best music biopics. Add to that Clint Eastwood’s wonderful direction, lush cinematography, unothodox narrative, and Parker’s sublime be-bop soundtrack and you’ve got a first class musical and cinematic experience.

#8 The Buddy Holly Story

Subject: Buddy Holly
This film boasts a tour de force acting turn by Gary Busey as Buddy Holly. Although he’s not physically a deadringer for the famed Lubbock teen rock idol, Busey nails the performances (all of which he sang himself) and brings a fresh perspective to the doomed star. Critic Michael Betzold notes that The Buddy Holly Story “avoids wallowing in clichés and successfully recaptures the frenzied energy and serendipity of the early years of the rock era.”

#7 Bound for Glory

Subject: Woody Guthrie
Although a box office flop, director Hal Ashby (In the Heat of the Night) triumphs with his portrayal of folk-singing acitivist Woody Guthrie. Acclaimed cinematographer, Haskell Wexler (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, gives the Great Depression -era American a breathtaking widescreen treatment and David Carradine shines as the Guthrie, giving an impassioned, but never overwrought performance.

#6 Coal Miner’s Daughter

Subject: Loretta Lynn
Sissy Spacek (who did her own singing performances) shines in her portrayal of country legend Loretta Lynn. Directed by Michael Apted and featuring a supporting role by Tommy Lee Jones as Lynn’s husband and manager, the film received 7 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Critic Michael Betzold rightly notes that “the cinematography of Ralf Bode and Apted’s piercing direction provide even those who aren’t fans of country music with an unforgettable portrait of backwoods Kentucky.” A guest turn by Levon Helm (the Band’s incomparable drummer) is a bonus.

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