By Vishal Sangwan
See the Rock n’ Roll life through the rockers’ eyes!
Rock stars and their lives have always intrigued their fans and will continue to do so. Thus, there is always a buzz when a biopic of such icons comes out. Some of them have done really well. Here is a list of 10 amazing rock star biopics!
Ray Charles | Ray
Jamie Foxx’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Ray Charles is as good as it gets. The movie follows the story of Ray Charles who goes blind at the age of seven after his brother’s tragic death. Unfortunately, Ray Charles passed away just before the release of his biopic.
Johnny Cash | Walk The Line
The film is based upon two of Johnny Cash’s autobiographies, Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words and Cash: The Autobiography. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line did not get an Oscar perhaps because it followed Jamie Foxx in Ray and the jury did not want to give out consecutive Oscars for music biopics.
Bob Dylan | I’m Not There
A movie that captures six different stages of the Nobel prize winning Bob Dylan using six actors – Christian Bale, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw & Cate Blanchett. Yes Cate Blanchett! In fact, her portrayal of Bob was the best received.
Buddy Holly | The Buddy Holly Story
The movie focuses on a young Buddy Holly trying to get acceptance for his new brand of music. It follows Holly’s path with his band the crickets and their parting. The movie ends with the crickets wanting to surprise Buddy at his next tour stop but unfortunately that does not happen as Buddy, at the age of 22, dies in a plane crash.
Ritchie Valens | La Bamba
The story of Ritchi Valens who becomes an overnight rock ‘n’ roll star. The movie takes us through his relationship with Donna Ludwig, who inspired his song ‘Donna’, as well as the relationship his relationship with his envious half brother. The movie also sheds light upon his nightmares about planes and well he was also with Buddy Holly on the plane that crashed. The incident was dubbed as ‘the day the music died’.
Sid Vicious | Sid And Nancy
Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb give unbelievable performances as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. Their intense relationship has an affect on the band who break up during a messy American tour. And so Sid sets his sights on a solo career with Nancy as his manager. The pair spiraled into an even heavier substance abuse. An argument between Sid & Nancy ends in Sid stabbing Nancy leading to her death. Garry Oldman portrays Sid’s descent into a personal hell amazingly well.
Morrissey | England Is Mine
The movie is based on a young Steven Patrick Morrissey, from his teenage years as as he meets Johnny Marr to form The Smiths in 1982. The movie is a great depiction of a dreary 1970s Manchester. Well it had to be dreary! The movie depicts Morrissey’s depression and Jack Lowden’s portrayal of the sensitive singer.
Freddie Mercury | Bohemian Rhapsody
Named after probably the greatest song ever ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen and their frontman, Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band and an unexpected turn where Freddie goes to pursuit an unsuccessful solo career. Freddie manages to reunite with his band mates just in time for one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music at Live Aid.
Tina Turner | What’s Love Got To Do With It
The movie is an adaptation of Tina Turner’s best-selling autobiography. The film showcases the violent relationship between Ike and Tina Turner. It shows how Tina barely survives and breaks free of the relationship to become a huge solo artist. Both the actors received Oscar nominations for their excellent portrayals of Ike and Tina.
Jim Morrison | The Doors
Oliver Stone’s movie might be titled ‘The Doors’ but just like the band, it revolves around Jim Morrison. Val Kilmer gives his best performance in portraying the rock star. He shows the artistic as well as the ridiculous side of Jim Morrison. From his alcohol abuse to his involvement with black magic the movie covers all his arrogant self-destructive ways.
These movies helped us know more about our revered rock stars and showed us how behind all the lights and glamour there are a lot of battles going on with their own insecurities, band mates, substance abuse and depression!
