biopics: the best & the worst
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I caught about 45 minutes of "Beyond The Sea" on TV, the film wherein Kevin Spacey gives new meaning to the term "triple threat": as an actor, writer, and director, he threatens to lower the already-perilously low bar for music-related biopics. There truly isn't a less-than-ludicrous moment in the section of the movie I was able to sit through, culminating when he throws a tantrum when he's "robbed" of an Oscar.It did get me thinking about good and awful cinematic representations of music personalities, and since no thought is complete without being compressed into a list, here are my 5 best and worst. Theatrically-released films only: no TV movies (sorry, "Dead Man's Curve" is ineligible). And post-'50s, because there were more lousy films about big band leaders and tin pan alley songwriters than you can imagine.Losers:1, The Doors - Oliver Stone's incomprehensible journey through his version of the '60s.2. Your Cheatin' Heart - George Hamilton as Hank Williams. Need I elaborate?3. Beyond The Sea (Bobby Darin) - see above4. Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis) - Winona Ryder makes a cute child bride, but Dennis Quaid plays The Killer like a Hanna-Barbera character.5. Lady Sings The Blues (Billie Holiday) - a jazz movie with glops of pop sentimentality.Winners:1. The Buddy Holly Story - vividly portrayed, musically thrilling,2. American Hot Wax (Alan Freed) - plays loose with the facts, but captures the emotional spirit3. Coal Miner's Daughter (Loretta Lynn) - how great is Sissy Spacek?4. Backbeat (The Beatles) - gritty evocation of the pre-Ringo Beatles.5. Bound For Glory (Woody Guthrie) - a bit Hollywoodized, but heartfelt and beautifully filmed.Maybe someday Scorsese will get around to making his Dean Martin film, and I'm crossing my fingers for Zooey Deschanel as Janis Jopin.Additions? Arguments?
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