There are so many great music biopics out there, but there equally ones that aren't so jazzy. I thought I'd choose a range of musical genres. Don't forget to check out what
Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
Walk the Line
I love Joaquin Phoenix so of course I ran to see this film when it first came out. I knew a little bit about Johnny Cash and had heard some of his music before. I knew he was infamous as well as famous, but casting Pheonix was a stroke of genius. Johnny Cash even approved him for the role before he died. He was electrifying. I also loved that he sang all of of the songs too so naturally I own the soundtrack too. How Johnny Cash went from singing hymns to country music and from being the 'black sheep' of the family to being one of the most famous singers is pure brilliance throughout.
Amadeus
Where is Tom Hulce? Well, he's now an award winning broadway producer but for me, he'll always me the insane incarnation of Mozart and of course Quasimodo from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. The esteemed Salieri relates to a priest how he killed Mozart out of jealousy. Just like the poster and trailer says, its about music, madness and murder and its simply superb.
Control
Ian Curtis, from Joy Division, was a name a read about frequently during my school days. His name and Richie Edwards (former Manic Street Preachers musician who disappeared) were always on the cover of NME (New Musical Express) which I read every week when at school. I liked some of of Joy Division's music and I liked a few other bands who had been compared to them. Of course Joy Division, after Curtis' death went on to become New Order. The film chronicles Ian's marriage to Deborah Curtis when they were 19 and 18, the formation of Joy Division, his struggles with epilepsy, his affair with Belgium journalist and his suicide at the age of 23. This was another film wth excellent casting, before he was famous Sam Riley is a perfect fit for Ian. The film is beautifully photographed which is no surprise as it was photographer Anton Corbjin's directorial debut film.
Love Walk The Line and felt he really embodied Johnny Cash. Amadeus is one of the great music biopics and I was wondering what happened to Tom Hulce-glad he found his spot in Broadway but hope to see him again in the movies. I haven't even heard of the last film but it sounds intriguing if not sad.
ReplyDeleteI also chose Walk The Line (haven't seen the last two picks of yours) Joaquin was perfect casting for Cash. (aside from him being so short. lol) but his voice was perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by Control but haven't seen it but the other two are terrific picks! Even if Joaquin Phoenix isn't much of a physical match for Johnny Cash he's a spot on spiritual one and really propels Walk the Line. Amadeus is visually sumptuous and the performances of both Hulce and F. Murray Abraham couldn't be bettered. Great choices.
ReplyDeleteI love music bio-pics and have seen so many it was tough to narrow but I did a little theme within theme and chose three wherein the subject struggled back from a major physical challenge at some point in their life.
Sweet Dreams (1985)-Tale of Patsy Cline’s ascension from honkytonk singer to queen of the Grand Ole Opry and beyond as well as her messy personal life, including a near fatal car wreck, until her death in a plane crash. Jessica Lange was Oscar nominated for her turn as Patsy, she’s given strong support by Ed Harris as Cline’s difficult husband and Ann Wedgeworth in a beautiful performance as her mother.
The Joker is Wild (1957)-Crooner Joe E. Lewis (Frank Sinatra) works his way up through the racket run nightclubs of Chicago mob boss Georgie Parker. Once successful he tries to move on only to have his throat slashed in retaliation. His voice ruined he slides into alcoholism but his former accompanist and friend helps him reestablish himself as a successful stand-up comic. The road still has many rough patches ahead though. One of Sinatra’s better lesser known performances. The film features one of Sinatra’s signature songs the Oscar winning “All the Way”.
With a Song in My Heart (1952)-Young singer Jane Froman (Susan Hayward) rises from staff artist on a small radio station in the Midwest quickly climbing the ladder of success to become a top radio and stage star. Along the way she enters into a marriage of convenience with her manager which soon hits the rocks, then America enters WWII. Like many performers she volunteers to entertain the troops and is on her way to do so when her seaplane crashes into the Tagus River off the Lisbon coast. She is one of the few survivors but is severely injured, most perilously her leg is nearly amputated. The remainder of the film follows her grueling treatment, difficult recovery and return to finish the job she started. Grim in parts but overall a story of someone with tremendous fortitude in the face of huge adversity. Loaded with great music both Hayward (whose lip-syncing to Froman’s vocals is impressively realistic) and Thelma Ritter, as her steadfast nurse, were Oscar nominated.
I really want to see Control. I don't think I even heard about it, but I love Joy Division/New Order. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't seen 24 Hour Party People pop up today. Your other two are great and both made my list. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteI loved that Phoenix did his own singing and his chemistry with Reese is stunning and pretty much carries the film, but overall it's basically a white version of Ray. I saw Amadeus a long time ago but I remember enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of these movies yet, and they all look good. Great choices!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen Walk the Line. Great...and popular pick, today. Never even heard of that last one, but it sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI thought it would be popular, great film. Ah Ian Curtis of Joy Divison, I don't think the band made it out of the UK but New Order would have done in the later 80s. It's beautifully shot.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely start with Walk the Line, its a popular one this week :)
ReplyDeleteI love the music and yes the chemistry made this film too. I haven't seen all of Ray but I know it did pretty darn well awards wise.
ReplyDeleteControl was at first a small film but it caught the attention of an indie film magazine Little White Lies and the film got more attention. I really want to see 24 Hour Party People - Steve Coogan before he got too big headed.
ReplyDeleteI forgot that Joaquin is not that tall - which means that Reece muct be tiny!
ReplyDeleteControl is quite a tragic story but its so beautifully shot in black and white. I think Tom Hulce has been in a few things but he's mainly producing plays/musicals on Broadway now, perhaps that was his calling.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Hulce ans Abraham were just brilliant. On the surface you would think what an odd pairing but they are just perfect. FOr me, nothing beats Phoenix, just love the film and the music.
ReplyDeleteJessica Lange as Pasty Cline!? I must have missed that one. I didn't think much of Lange's voice in AHS: Freakshow but I wasn't sure if it was meant to be mediocre. Did she sing in this film? Hadn't heard of the Sinatra filmbut the last film about Jane Froman sounds interesting if a bit grim.
They use Patsy Cline's vocals in Sweet Dreams, I think her fans would have revolted otherwise, but Jessica Lange really brings her to life otherwise and does a decent lip-synch job. Not quite as precise as Susan Hayward's in With a Song in My Heart but than Hayward sat in on the recording sessions when Froman recorded the songs for the film. Jane Froman later stated that she was a bit unnerved watching the film since Hayward duplicated her style so closely. Afterward she went home and sang the songs in front of a mirror and was amazed that not only were Hayward's gestures identical but her breathing during singing also matched.
ReplyDeleteWow that is dedication! Some actors really go the whole way to get something right. Thats good that Patsy's voice is in the film. No I just have to find them both.
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