We love a good biopic about a musical legend and with a new movie about Nina Simone coming soon starring Zoe Saldana, let’s reflect on some of the best incarnations of famous musicians. Of course, not all of them were thoroughly well-received by their subjects’ family members or even the subjects themselves, but others are still mind-bogglingly accurate.
Not all of these movies were released theatrically, and some feature more than actor in a musical role, but these are a few of the most gripping musical biopics that have ever hit our screens:
O’Shea Jackson Jr. played his father Ice Cuba in Straight Outta Compton
Michael Shannon as Elvis Presley (Elvis & Nixon) – Okay so this hasn’t actually been released yet but we’re pretty convinced that Shannon has got Elvis in the bag from the trailer. Of course, this isn’t strictly a biopic, more of a fictionalised comedy featuring the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ singer as an intelligence spy for Richard Nixon.
More: Watch the trailer for ‘Elvis & Nixon’
O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Ice Cube (Straight Outta Compton) – It may be cheating a little as Jackson is actually Ice Cube’s son, but for his first acting venture ever it’s still a remarkable achievement. He won a handful of awards for the 2015 picture about the NWA, and the film was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Yaya DaCosta as Whitney Houston (Whitney) – This was one of those that caused a little controversy among the late Houston’s estate. DaCosta played the ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer in Angela Bassett’s directorial debut, but the Lifetime movie was slammed by Houston’s family members for what they deemed as an inaccurate portrayal.
Paul Dano played a young Brian Wilson in Love and Mercy
Paul Dano/John Cusack as Brian Wilson (Love & Mercy) – Dano and Cusack played the Beach Boys legend as a young man and an older man respectively in this Goldem Globe nominated dramatic biopic that detailed Wilson’s lifetime of psychological troubles. Despite the delicate subject matter, it was very much welcomed by Wilson who visited the set regularly during filming.
James Corden as Paul Potts (One Chance) – Corden turned the life of the first ever ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winner, self-conscious tenor Paul Potts, into quite the comedy. Alas, his singing voice was not used in the film, but there is a bonus of Stanley Townsend starring as Luciano Pavarotti.
Chadwick Boseman was startlingly convincing as James Brown in Get On Up
Chadwick Boseman as James Brown (Get on Up) – Tate Taylor’s movie about dance pioneer James Brown’s rise to stardom earned itself much critical acclaim, not least because of Boseman’s unforgettable portrayal of the ‘Living In America’ singer. He was described as ‘electrifying’ and ‘charismatic’ as the volatile entertainer.
Michael Douglas as Liberace (Behind the Candelabra) – Steven Soderbergh’s Golden Globe winning TV movie was less about the musical career of this flamboyant pianist and more about his tempestuous and unhealthy relationship with Scott Thorson, played by Matt Damon. Needless to say, Douglas totally engaged critics.
Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett (The Runaways) – In all honesty, we can’t think of anyone better to have played the sexually-ambiguous rocker than Stewart, and she was joined by Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie in this dramatic depiction of their quick rise to success in the short-lived all-girl band The Runaways, managed by Kim Fowley.
Beyonce Knowles as Etta James (Cadillac Records) – This 2008 biopic featured quite a few musician roles, but nothing stood out more than Beyonce’s interpretation of Etta James. Sure, she might not look anything like the 60s soul crooner, but she sure had the voice and was actually in mind when the movie role was being written.
Joaquin Phoenix perfected Johnny Cash’s singing voice in Walk The Line
Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash (Walk The Line) – Sometimes casting can be just scarily accurate. This was the sort of movie that you had to check the credits of for yourself before believing that this was actually Phoenix’s voice and not Cash’s. Of course, it didn’t hurt that they looked pretty similar too with their matching rugged charm.
Sam Riley as Ian Curtis (Control) – Likewise, Sam Riley captured the crazy dance moves, that deep droning voice and that inherent misery that plagued the Joy Division frontman’s whole life. The physical similarities were just as striking, and the surviving members of the band admitted that, while it wasn’t accurate, they did enjoy the movie.
Jamie Foxx made an incredible Ray Charles in Ray
Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles (Ray) – Foxx won Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role at the 2005 Oscars for his portrayal of blind soul pioneer Ray Charles, who actually got the chance to read a Braille version of the script before his death in 2004. It’s not surprising as Foxx has previously shown off his vocal mimicry on Jimmy Fallon’s Wheel of Musical Impressions.
Ben Whishaw as Keith Richards (Stoned) – ‘Spectre’ star Whishaw appeared in The Rolling Stones movie in 2005. It was a fictional interpretation of the circumstances surrounding the death of founding member Brian Jones and, while the film wasn’t particularly well-received, Whishaw’s performance should still be recognised for his efforts.
Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison (The Doors) – The resemblance between Kilmer and Morrison was not bad at all and this was an all round success for director Oliver Stone. It was among Kilmer’s very first acting roles, but he practicularly had to beg Stone to cast him after other attempts to cast the lead role failed.
Gary Oldman rocked as Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy
Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious (Sid And Nancy) – Another film that’s less about music and more about the daily struggles of Sex Pistols frontman Sid Vicious and his toxic relationship with Nancy Spungen. This is a bit of a cult classic, but it’s fair to say it’s one of Oldman’s most gripping film roles.
Diana Ross as Billie Holiday (Lady Sings the Blues) – This 1972 five time Oscar nominated drama followed the highs and lows of Holiday as she navigated a complicated career as a jazz singer, while struggling with drug and alcohol problems and a history of abuse. It’s this sort of movie that makes you wonder why Ross didn’t expand on her acting career.
ultra hd
Ender’s Game [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD]Based on the award-winning, landmark best-seller by Orson Scott Card, on a futuristic earth, only the best and brightest children …
Chappie (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)Every child comes into the world full of promise, and none more so than Chappie: he is gifted, special, a prodigy. Like any child,…
Samsung Electronics UBD-K8500 3D Wi-Fi 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (2016 Model)Play 4K Ultra HD movies at 4x the resolution of full 1080p HD, letting you watch your favorite scenes with a level of detail and c…
Expendables 3 [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD]The Expendables are back! In THE EXPENDABLES 3, Barney (Stallone), Christmas (Statham) and the rest of the team comes face-to-face…
