Good biography films

But the best biopics can see an actor immerse themself into a challenging role and transform a true tale into a fascinating work of art—and are even among some of the best films of all time. If the words "Amadeus Mozart" conjure up nothing for you than classical music, then you need to put on Amadeus. Adapted from the play Mozart and Salieriwe see the wild, erratic, under-appreciated, ultimately impoverished genius through the eyes of a less talented rival.

Clint Eastwood directs this music biopic led by Forest Whitaker as legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker. Eastwood, who has long had a thirst for truth-telling in politics and elsewhere, elevates the chronically under-appreciated Parker into a genius and forerunner. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman was exceptional in every role but one of his most career-defining performances was as author Truman Capote.

This is a dramatic retelling of Capote's life and work as he interviews a murderer for his book In Cold Bloodwhich was hugely influential for the true crime genre. Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. It goes well at first Leonardo Dicaprio. While the truth of the events Abagnale depicts have been questioned, the resulting movie—about a young con man who gets deeper and deeper into his illicit life, while being chased by an FBI agent Tom Hanks —is riveting.

This early Robert Downey Jr. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the plot itself is pretty standard, with the senior Charlie Chaplin reminiscing about his life. But Downey's portrayal is eerily true to life. While it's unclear how much of this adaptation of game show host Chuck Barris's book is true—considering how his autobiography is "unauthorized" and features claims he was a CIA assassin—this George Clooney-directed movie takes the subject matter and makes a compelling spy movie with it.

Considered one of David Lynch's most mainstream movies, this movie depicts the life of Joseph Merrick, a man living with severe physical deformities in the 19th century. With John Hurt in the title role, it's an extremely compassionate look at its subject. But in Martin Scorsese's hands, you literally feel like you're living alongside Hill Ray Liotta with the dizzying highs—sometimes literally—of his early life and the horrible lows as it all comes crashing down.

This Michael Mann movie might not be as well-known as some of his others such as Heat, Collateraland The Last of the Mohicansbut this critically acclaimed, fictional portrayal of tobacco industry whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand Russell Crowe is incredibly compelling. Often considered the platonic ideal of epic movies, this Old Hollywood classic is stunning with a capital "S.

Lawrence played by Peter O'Toolewhose rise from misfit status in the British Army to war hero and back again defies almost all the biopic tropes. A lot of good biography films is rightly paid to the Oscar-winning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis of the titular American historical figure. This Spike Lee film covers Malcolm X played by Denzel Washington from his earliest childhood all the way to his assassination.

Andrei Rublev Film Drama. Raging Bull Malcolm X Amadeus Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters The Elephant Man Film Action and adventure. Patton Lawrence of Arabia Oppenheimer The Last Emperor Ed Wood Film Comedy. Spartacus Persepolis Film Animation. A Hidden Life Walk the Line I'm Not There Lincoln I, Tonya Control Ray Man on the Moon Directed by George Tillman Jr.

The narrative covers his retirement from boxing, his new life as a preacher, and his return to the Heavyweight Division of boxing. Watch the film here. Living in the Queensbridge housing projects during the s was not easy. The film depicts her challenges with making a name for herself in a male-dominated industry, the complexities of her interpersonal relationships, and her familial responsibilities.

Although life is rarely easy, Roxanne showcases the determination and optimism it takes to push through the struggle. The film shows the battles she fought and the stand she took against misogyny and racial differences to become one of the most significant figures in world politics. In terms of her personal life, we get to know about her relationship with her sister and Alabama segregationist governor George Wallace, both of which contributed to her becoming the woman we know and learn about today.

It follows a young William Maxwell Simba as he tries to bring water to his village of Kasungu, Malawi, by building a windmill. Director Tushar Hiranandani depicts the struggles faced by the eponymous business leader after being born visually impaired in a rural village in the former state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The film is a sparkling reminder of the perceived limitations of individuals and how Srikanth turns the adversity in his life into a force for change.

The narrative brilliantly showcases his drive, motivation, and inability to give up as he fights to achieve his ambitions despite a whole world of naysayers stacked against him. It is a rousing and inspiring entry that can be watched here. From Gandhi to Zuckerberg, Hollywood has tried its hand on making biopics on people from all strata of life.

You can watch several of these best biopic movies on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. As one of the most polarizing figures of the goods biography films, Nixon was a true statesman, but a flawed and paranoid man, doomed as a world leader. He captures the wounded soul of the disgraced President in every way. Looking nothing like him, he instead captures his essence and speech pattern and becomes Nixon before our very eyes.

Warren Beatty was always an interesting actor, but with his work here as murderous gangster Benjamin Siegel, he proved he was a great one. With movie star good looks, Siegel landed in Hollywood and quickly took over all gangland related activities and when visiting the desert, he had a vision of what became Las Vegas. Obsessed with his Flamingo Hotel in the desert, he failed to see his girlfriend was stealing from the mob, which brought Siegel down.

Beatty is terrifying in his rages, deluded in his belief he can kill Mussolini, yet gentle and kind with his family and friend Meyer Lansky. A brilliant actor ready for the performance of his lifetime, stuck with a weak script, a cowardly director not willing to show his subject warts and all, Robert Downey Jr. Sadly neither the director nor script took advantage of Downey being so far into character; the actor was gone, Chaplin remained.

Good biography films

With an edgy actor such as Downey, why explore the more controversial aspects of his life? They had an actor ready to cut loose and they failed him. Is it possible to humanize Hitler, possibly the most hated and evil man to ever exist? Hands shaking, frail, obviously drugged heavily, he knows the end is near and what is coming; he knows what the reaction will be to his Death Camps.

Often gentle and kind with those around him, other time he flies into a rage when his orders are not followed. In the end, the monster was all too human, just a man. An astounding, brave performance.