Five to Watch - Biopics

Biopics delve into the lives of important historical or contemporary figures and a story that has already been written, is perfect to adapt to film. There are thousands and thousands of biopics and I’d like to focus on the ones you might not know, are overlooked or are underrated. Here a five biopics for you to check out.

Control (2007)
This is a profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic lead singer of Joy Division. His personal, professional and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23. This film is the directorial debut of photographer Anton Corbijn, who focuses on Curtis’ life from 1972 until his intimely death in May 1980. The rapid fame of the post-punk band (one of the most influential British bands of all time) ensured a successful European tour and an extramarital affair, but Curtis was never separated from his hometown of Macclesfield. It was to be expected that the film looks beautiful, the black and white is incredibly vital. More surprisingly Corbijn shows himself to be a meticulous storyteller and an excellent actor director.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The story of John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematician. He accepts secret work in cryptography and it turns his life into a nightmare. This is the kind of film the Academy loves: a man on a mission overcomes adversity through perseverance and love in his life. It got eight nominations and half of it was cashed. Although Nash was a brilliant mind, his career fell apart due to schizophrenia. He did eventually win a Noble Prize. I still don’t understand how Russell Crowe didn’t win an Oscar for this. Jennifer Connelly did though.

Der Undergang (Downfall) (2004)
The film is about the last days of the Führer, Adolf Hitler. It meticulously portrays how Hitler initially still had some nice trades, for example his secretary Traudl Junge, no whose memoirs this film is based. Once cornered by the Allies, he becomes more and more openly unpleasant. Histler and his intimate circle are portrayed as people who hace no peeling (anymore) for raw reality. Which the viewer regularly gets to see, so that we don’t forget which destructions Hitler caused. Hitler is brilliantly portrayed by Bruno Ganz.

I, Tonya (2017)
A biopic about the American figure skater Tonya Harding, who was world news in 1994 when her competitor Nancy Kerrigan was injured, which Harding would have known about. Director Craig Gillespie made a delightful, poignant but often hilarious film about class difference (Harding was ‘white trash’, Kerrigan a ‘princess’), fame and media attention, but the film is made by actress Margot Robbie. She is unforgettable as Harding. Robbie is one of the most beautiful actresses Hollywood has right now and she dares to be the ‘ugly duckling’ and does that convincingly. Also one to mention is Allison Janney, as Harding’s mother. Great supporting role.

Amazing Grace (2006)
Idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliamant, endeavoring to end the British translatlantic slave trade. It’s a great piece of history, but very unknown to the audience. As is this film. I don’t think a lot of people have seen it and more should. This is definitely an underrated and overlooked film for sure.