Top Five Musician Biopics to Add to Your Queue
Try one (or all!) of these five films focused on musicians during your next weekend binge.
Written by Delaney Davis
As cuffing season descends upon us, our movie list for those nights in with that special someone become all the more important.
With moviegoers and music lovers alike buzzing over the recent release of “Bohemian Rhapsody”, the dismal reviews of the film are particularly disappointing. The film has been criticized for its portrayal of homosexuality amid the sexual revolution in the 1970s and the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
But there’s no need to wallow in your disappointment. We compiled a list of other biopics that do a great job of telling the lives of their respective musicians and deserve to be in your queue.
1. “The Jacksons: An American Dream” (1992)
Image courtesy of The Coli
With a four hour runtime, watching “The Jacksons: An American Dream” is definitely a commitment, but one that is beyond worth it. This biopic is actually a two part mini-series that first aired on ABC in 1992.
Focusing on the lives of the Jacksons, one of the most famous families in show business, the mini-series gives an in depth look at not only the early career of The Jackson 5 but also Michael Jackson’s ascent into stardom. The audience also gets an account of the tense relationship between Jackson patriarch Joe Jackson and his children, who often told stories about how their father’s abusive tendencies had a long-lasting impact upon their lives.
2. “Ray” (2004)
Image courtesy of PluggedIn
“Ray” chronicles the life of rhythm and blues legend Ray Charles. The movie delves into the relationship between Charles and his mother, who urged him to forge his own path in the world. In addition, the film emphasizes Charles’ role as a musical pioneer, combining both R&B and gospel.
Perhaps most notable in the film is Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Charles. Foxx embodies Charles completely, from his dialect to his command of the stage. With such impressive acting, it is no surprise that Foxx not only won the Academy Award for Best Actor but the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics’ Choice awards.
3. “Jersey Boys” (2014)
Image courtesy of Variety
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, “Jersey Boys” is a musical drama that tells the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, the American rock band formed in — you guessed it — late 1950s New Jersey.
The audience gets an entertaining account of how difficult it can be to balance being in an internationally acclaimed band and the demands of the Italian mafia. The story becomes even more enticing because of the film’s soundtrack, composed of covers of the band’s most popular songs, featuring the impeccable falsetto of John Lloyd Young, who played Frankie Valli on Broadway as well as in the movie.
4. “Selena” (1997)
Image courtesy of Cosmopolitan
No biopic list would be complete without “Selena.” An icon like the queen of Tejano music deserves an equally iconic film, and Selena certainly fits the bill.
It is clear that the writers went to great lengths to create a well-researched portrayal of the events of Selena’s life. The movie begins with an account of how Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, and his band were rejected at an audition because of a restaurant’s “Whites Only” policy. The movie continues this trend by showing Abraham and Marcela Samora’s marriage and how the tight-knit family impacted Selena’s life and career.
5. “La Bamba” (1987)
Image courtesy of Fox News
Rounding out this list is another film memorializing a late Latinx star, Ritchie Valens “La Bamba” honors the life of the Chicano legen, who is most famous for his smash hit “La Bamba.”
The movie gives insight into the impact Valens’ personal struggles had upon his life, including the racism he endured from his girlfriend’s father and his strained relationship with his mother’s half-brother. The movie details his rise to fame, which was unfortunately cut short on February 3, 1959 when a plane carrying Valens, Buddy Holly, and J.P. Richardson crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa.
The movie is a great way to learn more about the rather underrated rock n’ roll legend.