Obviously, no biopic can capture the absolute essence of a legendary performer. And yes, their original and special artistry speaks for itself.
But that doesn't mean biopics don't have any value or validity. They can feed our fascination with the famous and can enlighten us about their often turbulent times. I'd love to see a Montgomery Clift biopic if only to celebrate his work and introduce him to new generations of movie lovers, as well as aspiring actors he could inspire. Plus, a well-rounded biopic in 2021 could deal more candidly about Clift's personal life, including his sexuality.
Meantime, there have been biopics about other entertainers of that era, including James Dean, Clift's contemporary, and Elvis Presley (and Baz Luhrmann recently announced a new one for 2022). What's more, showbiz bios continue to be catnip for Oscar voters: Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland (''Judy''), Andra Day as Billie Holiday (''The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday''), Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury (''Bohemian Rhapsody''), etc.
And this year alone, there are TWO biopics about Aretha Franklin: one with Cynthia Erivo and the other with Jennifer Hudson. |
