In advance of the release of the biopic of Notorious B.I.G., I figure I weight in on the best movies about beloved musicians.
Over the weekend, I finally watched Control, the Anton Corbijn directed flick on Joy Division's Ian Curtis. It's a good, not great film. It plays like the anti-rock biopic, in that avoids all the cliches you find in the genre. Especially in rock movies, there's always scenes of the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle. There's was none of that. Then you have the obligatory montage of the rise to fame, which is absent in Control since the band became popular after Curtis took his life. With any biopic, the movies hinges on the performances from Sam Riley and Samantha Morton, who are fantastic. I guess I was wanting more of the "whole picture" theme, rather than a man's descent into depression.
As for Notorious, I have a philosophy that films released in January are dumped there by studios because they have no trust in them. Bride Wars? The Unborn? Paul Bart: Mall Cop? Inkwell? Yikes! I think the better story about Biggie is the conspiracy involving the LAPD and the investigation of detective Russell Poole. It could be a L.A. Confidential-type film, intricate with a cast of characters.
Anyway, here's the list.
5. The Buddy Holly Story -- I think what you need to have a success movie about musician to put the artist in context with the time and space for which they played. The other aspect is a strong lead who can live and breathe the character. Finally, the live performances must be dynamite. The Buddy Holly Story was the first film to record their performances live. Gary Busey sang and played guitar, thus you get the sense of what his live show was like.
4. Coal Miner's Daughter -- While Buddy Holly provided a good push for the music biopic genre, Coal Miner's Daughter created the template as a tradition rags-to-riches story. Loretta Lynn's story is the heart of classic country music. She grew up in poverty, married early, popped out some kids, made it big, delved into drugs and alcohol and then redeemed herself at the end. It's the storyline that was parodied somewhat successfully in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. With all that, the best thing about the movie is Sissy Spacek's performance.
3. What's Love Got to Do With It?-- It's the rare movie that juxtaposes two great musicians, Ike and Tina Turner. Again, the performances of the leads are the most important part of the film. Then again, that SNL parody by Tim Meadows of Ike Turner saying "Come back to Ike Turner, Kevin Nealon" cracks me up. I think what works in the movie is that it gives you a sense of hard work ethic of Ike and Tina. When you hear there music, you get an understanding of the what went into making the music. Obviously, it shows Ike as the demon he'll be remembered for, but least we forget he is one of the greats.
2. The Doors-- I always though this film was underrated. I admit, it's not a perfect film -- it's long, repetitive and at times lacks focus. What it does well is that you get a true sense of the relationship between Jim Morrison and the 60s. He was a man affected by the California scene and a poet/singer.rock star who influences the 60s psychedelic movement. The concerts scene are intense and Val Kilmer is Jim Morrison.
1. Ray-- The difference that puts Ray above all the others is that it doesn't place Ray Charles on a pedestal. I remember reading that the real Ray Charles wanted a movie that displayed his faults, and there were many. In the end, when you see how Ray Charles struggling with drug addiction and with his relationship with women, you get a feeling that the movie is acting as a cleanse for Charles. It's all out there and there's no hiding it.
Honorable mentions: Yankee Doodle Dandy, La Bamba and Amadeus. Amadeus is borderline "biopic", because it's more about Salieri's jealousy, than about the life of Mozart.
Musicians that will probably get the biopic treatment: Janis Joplin, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Keith Moon.
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