FEATURE:
Perfect Covers, Intriguing Reinterpretations and Long-Awaited Releases
IN THIS PHOTO: Later this year, Aretha Franklin’s life will be brought to the screen in Respect; Franklin will be played by Jennifer Hudson
The Rise and Success of Music Biopics
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IN THIS PHOTO: Taron Egerton won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elton John in Rocketman/PHOTO CREDIT: Fred Duval/FilmMagic
I am covering a theme that has been fairly exposed on my site over the past year. All of us have our dream music biopic: the artist or artists we would love to see on the big screen. Not all biopics are a success, as they can incur critical scorn or commercial failure. In some cases, the pictures are misjudged and, in others, the estate of departed musicians object. It is a tricky venture, and I have written about the inherent gamble associated with a music biopic. I have also mused regarding those artists who have not been on the screen, yet warrant a go. The reason I have picked this theme back up is because, as stride into 2020, there are fresh ventures in the work. Taron Egewrton, who played Elton John in last year’s Rocketman, scooped a Golden Globe last week, and that film won praise from critics. Earlier this week, we heard news another iconic artist is going to be portrayed on the big screen: the one and only Bob Dylan:
“Timothee Chalamet is in talks to play Bob Dylan in the Fox Searchlight film “Going Electric,” directed by “Ford v Ferrari” filmmaker James Mangold, Variety has learned.
The movie will follow Dylan as he rises in fame on his way to become a folk music icon.
The news comes after a busy year for Chalamet, who most recently appeared in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” adaptation as Laurie and starred in Netflix’s historical drama “The King.” Next up, Chalamet will star in Denis Villeneuve’s star-studded “Dune” with Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem.
Mangold most recently scored rave reviews for “Ford v Ferrari,” which stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale and tells the true story of the automotive team at Ford, led by designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and his British driver Ken Miles (Bale), as they build a race car in an attempt to beat the legendary Ferrari at the prestigious Le Mans race. He previously directed and co-wrote the critically acclaimed “Logan,” which went on to become the first live-action superhero movie to be nominated for screenwriting at the Academy Awards.
The last high-profile project based on Dylan was 2007’s “I’m Not There,” an unconventional biopic that features six actors playing different facts of Dylan’s public persona: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw. Before that, Martin Scorsese directed documentary “No Direction Home,” which traced Dylan’s life and his impact on music and culture”.
Of course, Bob Dylan has been portrayed before, but this sounds like a biopic that has the makings of a success. I think there is an advantage having the ‘original’ alive: they can help tell the story and, crucially, give their approval. That is one of the things that concerns me when departed artists are portrayed. I am not sure whether a planned Amy Winehouse biopic is near completion. Since her death in 2011, there have been a number of projects related to Winehouse, making sure her legacy is kept alive. From biopic chat to a planned hologram tour – which is ghastly -, it is understandable there is great fascination.
IN THIS PHOTO: Amy Winehouse will be portrayed in a biopic slated for release this year
Whilst it seems strange to imagine someone playing Amy Winehouse, bringing her story to life would be inspiring and, if struck right, it could prove successful. Her family and friends can have their input and ensure the film is handled right; one wonders whether her demons will be uncovered, or whether we will get a more sanitised film. The success of films like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody – with Freddie Mercury front and centre – has encouraged filmmakers to step forward and release their projects. Even the films I have just mentioned have faults. In both cases, the private lives and sexuality of Elton John and Freddie Mercury were watered-down. It is hard to please everyone and include every detail, but I think biopics should be open and disclose fully – meaning a Winehouse biopic should mention her alcoholism and problems in addition to her genius and kindness. Last year was a busy one for biopics, and 2020 is not going to be a slouch. I have written about the on-off Madonna biopic, Blond Ambition, and I wonder whether Madonna will give the green light and approve the thing. It is one of those biopics that we all want to see but, as it has been delayed and criticised by Madonna herself, maybe a release is a way off! Proposed biopics relating to Carole King, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson could make their way to us soon enough. I will wrap things up, again, talking about those artists ripe for a biopic and the projects slated for 2020 I am especially excited about.
IN THIS PHOTO: Madonna/PHOTO CREDIT: Mert Alas
Before moving on, I want to bring in an article from last year that reflected on a year that produced biopics concerning everyone from Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles and Elton John:
“Another film that will provide Rocketman with competition right at the end of July is Yesterday. Yesterday revolves around struggling singer-songwriter Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) waking up in a world where he is the only person that has heard of The Beatles. Jack uses this opportunity to become a global musical superstar, as songs like “Hey Jude,” “She Loves You,” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand” are catchy no matter the decade.
On the face of it the combination of bona-fide British beauties like producer Danny Boyle, writer Richard Curtis and The Beatles should be tantalizing for cinephiles and music aficionados alike. But it will be interesting to see whether Yesterday’s blending of Mamma Mia! and Groundhog Day is actually a success. Early reviews have suggested that it is just a formulaic rom-com with Beatles songs thrown in. Of course that might still be enough for some fans, those who want to come together in a large crowd to see the most famous songs of the most famous band in the world performed on the biggest screen possible.
But the fact that the two remaining Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, haven’t been anywhere near the promotional material, means it could just as easily be overlooked and dismissed by those who are pining for either a more substantial take on the band, akin to Bohemian Rhapsody, or an out-and-out jukebox musical, a la Mamma Mia! and its follow-up.
Blinded By The Light, set for release in late August, is neither of those. In fact, the best way to describe the British comedy is as a cinematic essay on the impact of Bruce Springsteen. Inspired by the life of Sarfraz Manor, Blinded By The Light tells the story of Javed (Vivek Kalra), who despite living in Luton, England, in 1987 becomes obsessed with the lyrics and music of “The Boss,” which empower him during a period ofgreat racial and economic turmoil in the country.
Like Yesterday, Blinded By The Light honors the music rather than detailing the life that made it. But boosted by impressive reviews out of the Sundance Film Festival, and with the late summer particularly lean when it comes to competition, there's a good chance that smart marketing will entice a portion of Springsteen's legion of fans to celebrate the impact of his work.
Together, what these three movies already show is just how much the musical biopic has evolved.
In years gone by, the Oscar nominations picked up by Ray, Walk The Line, Amadeus, The Buddy Holly Story, Coal Miner’s Daughter, What's Love Got To Do With It, Shine and La Vie En Rose meant entries into the genre were usually regarded as prestige pictures — films that boosted studios' reputations more than their profits. This was even more true with adventurous music films like I'm Not There, Control, Love & Mercy, and 24 Hour Party People that received critical acclaim but made little money.
But now, the combination of 2015's Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody have exposed just how much money can be made when a huge studio and its subject matters back a musical biopic. With studios running out of genres that they know audiences are interested in, and with character-driven directors who aren't excited by superheroes running out of genres that studios are interested in, the musical biopic has become both a prestige and blockbuster release. That is of course, until one of them fails.
There are two very different biopics that are top of ‘must watch’ list for this year. Respect is about, as stated earlier, the late Aretha Franklin. Before her death in 2018, Franklin selected Jennifer Hudson to play her. The film has an August release date, and it will detail Franklin’s life from childhood to stardom. Also planned is a film about John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Bohemian Rhapsody writer Anthony McCarten has been given approval by Yoko Ono; the film details their romance and activism for peace. Whilst I hope a Madonna film does reach us, there are a few artists that that have yet to be covered on the big screen. A David Bowie biopic is being made, but it does not have the approval of his family. I think, with permission, a proper Bowie biopic would be very popular; perhaps focusing on his early/mid-‘70s albums. I have argued for a Fleetwood Mac biopic that concentrates on their masterpiece, Rumours, of 1977. There was a lot of tension in the band at the time but, in spite of drug use and division, they managed to release one of the best albums ever.
I also feel a biopic about Björk is overdue. She might not seem like the most obvious artist to bring to the screen, but her uniqueness and extraordinary career would make for an engrossing watch. Of course, it is not just the cinema that showcases biopics. With services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, there are opportunities for lower-budget releases. I think there needs to be a Prince biopic as, since his death in 2016, there has not been one. There have been rumours, but it might be the case of getting the right actor and ensuring the film is authoritative and well handled. We all have those biopics we are dying to see realised and, as 2019 provided us some award-winners and hits, I have high hopes regarding the crop of biopics already announced for 2020. There is no telling which other artists will get their own flick and what happens to those that will be released. There might be the odd failure, but I think there is a real demand and appetite for biopics. There have been some turkeys of biopics in the past, but the last year or so has seen some successes and great ventures. In fact, the biggest biopics are among…
IN THIS PHOTO: Björk
THE very best films around.