Watch These Underrated Music Biopics Before Seeing ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’
Musical biopics remain a permanent fixture of the larger biographical genre for a reason. Allowing audiences a glimpse into the lives of their favorite artists, these biopics provide a sense of depth and understanding for our most cherished musical personalities, illustrating their incredible journey from relative obscurity to international fame. While many of these movies might be a tad formulaic, they nevertheless continue to show how many of the most well-known musical talents rose from humble beginnings, capturing the attention of mass audiences with their innovative contributions to the musical medium.
As audiences count down the days until the release of Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, we thought we’d highlight some of the more underrated entries in the musical biographical genre, ranked in order from worst to best.
I’m Not There (2007)
Okay, yes, I’m Not There is technically not an outright biopic, featuring a far looser interpretation of its central character than most other films in the genre. “Inspired by the music and the many lives of Bob Dylan,” I’m Not There instead features an almost anthological presentation of its main subject, breaking down the various public personas Dylan has adopted over the years (from the up-and-coming folk musician to the unlikely pop culture sensation).
Sid & Nancy (1986)
Anyone unfamiliar with the tumultuous relationship between Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen is in for a wild ride when it comes to 1986’s Sid & Nancy. Directed by gonzo filmmaker Alex Cox, Sid & Nancy’s off-the-walls atmosphere perfectly sums up its two leads’ chaotic romance, punctuated by addiction, mental illness, and, ultimately, fatal violence.
Love & Mercy (2014)
It’s only been a few short months since we lost the musical genius that was the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson. The heart and soul of the 1960s musical group, Wilson’s life story forms the narrative backbone behind 2014’s wholly overlooked Love & Mercy. Juxtaposing Wilson’s creative involvement on Pet Sounds with his abusive psychiatric “treatment” at the hands of Eugene Landy, Love & Mercy is guaranteed to leave you with renewed appreciation for the late great Beach Boys co-founder, as well as his momentous creative achievements on projects like Pet Sounds and “Good Vibrations.”
Nowhere Boy (2009)
To this day, it’s hard to think of a band more universally iconic than the Beatles. Documenting their formative years as the Quarrymen, Nowhere Boy also provides a detailed look into a young John Lennon’s upbringing, including his complicated relationship to parents and his surrogate guardians. A profound meditation on grief, loss, and parental influences, it’s a moving drama that expertly personifies one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, complete with his initial encounters with future bandmates Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
