Not many figures attract audiences to theatres like singers. Since the 1970’s, the musical genre has produced memorable movies. Whether it’s piano players, dedicated jazz drummers or alcoholic stars, the genre has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about musicians which deserve to be celebrated.
1. Whiplash
Teachers are inspiring figures that impacted my identity. In elementary school, I formed strong bonds with a music teacher mistreating students in ways which were cruel. Willing to yell, he rarely got along well with scared pupils whose lives he made a living hell. He once humiliated me in front of the entire class criticizing my abilities to play an instrument. Despite his short temper, my teacher motivated me to achieve academic success. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how teachers can change lives of students in a flash as powerfully as “Whiplash”. Ever since its release in 2014, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about musicians. With the greatest film of his career, Chazelle used innovative cinematic techniques to capture heavy burden that jazz musicians bear. Chazelle is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for capturing the lives of musicians, and “Whiplash” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Chazelle effectively used montages to capture the tension faced by a jazz drummer seeking to earn his teacher’s appreciation. For instance, the scene in which Fletcher throws a temper tantrum humiliating Andrew in front of the band class when he misses a musical tempo causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by J.K. Simmons, who embodied a strict jazz music teacher. Ultimately, what makes “Whiplash” my favourite musician film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about jazz musicians that are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about importance of teachers which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic film about frightening band teachers guiding students to succeed in jazz music classes through terrifying bullying, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are definitely worth celebrating.
2. Rocketman
Elton John is a legendary musician that always earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember forming strong bonds with a mother that adored the famous singer. She would always praise iconic melodies composed by a tiny dancer singer that shaped her identity. Drawn to the yellow brick road, she adored a singer that had inspired her to follow her dreams years ago. In 2019, Dexter Fletcher honoured the iconic musician in his movie “Rocketman”. Fletcher uses captivating musical montages to honour a legendary musician that struggled to come to terms with his sexual identity. For instance, the scene in which Elton John discloses the truth about his sexual identity telling his mother that he is queer causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Taron Edgerton, who embodied the larger-than-life personality of an iconic musician. Ultimately, what makes “Rocketman” a great musical biopic is its honesty. Unlike most musical biopics, it doesn’t shy away from addressing personal issues that Elton John faced in his career. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the musician to appreciate it. Nearly 60 years after Elton John overcame the barrier of sexual identity to become a famous singer, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made iconic movies which audiences treasure.
3. The Pianist
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that fascinated my teacher. Years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He would always take great pride in teaching students about mass genocide. My teacher always believed movies were an art that couldn’t capture a genocide which tore lives apart. As someone cherishing a teacher that loved to list grim facts about the Holocaust, I admired “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie captured hardships that a Jewish pianist in WWII went through. Polanski used montages to capture a Jewish pianist that used music to escape a genocide that’s tragic. For instance, the scene in which Spzilman plays the piano for a German solider causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the musical genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Adrien Brody, who embodied a Jewish pianist that survived tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message on survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a Jewish pianist miraculously survived WWII, it’s a strong reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its ability to make movies audiences value.
4. A Star is Born
Alcohol addiction is a painful process that causes people to face stress. Years ago, I witnessed a companion suffer with alcohol addiction causing sorrow. An alcoholic, he loved heavy drinking without concern for consequences that could be tragic. Our friendship ended when I decided I couldn’t bear seeing him get wasted. As someone treasuring a friend that faced alcoholism which was forlorn, I loved “A Star is Born”. Released in 2018, Bradley Cooper’s movie captured impact of alcohol addiction on musicians. Cooper used stunning montages capturing a musician with alcoholism whose health is declining. For instance, the scene in which Jackson Maine humiliates Ally by urinating in front of the media is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Bradley Cooper, who embodied a troubled singer with alcohol addiction. Ultimately, what makes “A Star is Born” a musical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about alcohol addiction which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of alcoholism faced by musicians whose lives are far from shallow, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre producing timeless movies giving audiences dreams to follow.
5. La La Land
Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. However, immigration brought our bonds to a closure. After my family immigrated to Canada, I lost contact with a girl I had once appreciated. Few films I’ve seen have captured sacrifices of achieving dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Released in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s musical masterpiece captured musicians pursuing careers in L.A. Chazelle used captivating musical montages to capture a musician with love for performing jazz music. For instance, the scene in which Sebastian has a tense argument with Mia about his career as a jazz musician is one of the greatest moments of the musical genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Ryan Gosling, who embodies a jazz musician facing a tense conflict. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” a musical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about sacrifices involved in achieving dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as bonds between lovers cherishing jazz music in L.A. it’s a melodious reminder of a genre that has made timeless films which deserve to be celebrated today.
6. Yesterday
The Beatles are a legendary rock band that I’ve always loved dearly. I grew up listening to iconic melodies composed by a band that gave me lifelong love of music. I loved the Beatles so much that it was impossible for me to imagine a world without their music. As someone treasuring melodies that the Beatles would play, I adored “Yesterday”. Released in 2019, Danny Boyle’s movie imagined a world without The Beatles’ music. Boyle staged breathtaking live singing scenes honouring the Beatles’ timeless melodies. Assisted by Himesh Patel who is extraordinary in the lead role, Boyle celebrated a band with heart and soul. As precious as the Beatles’ music which Jack seeks to steal, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre with mainstream appeal that has manufactured timeless movies about which audiences strongly feel.
7. Sound of Metal
Stories of deaf communities are rarely told in movies. Hollywood has declined hard-of-hearing communities a quiet place in the industry. In an industry ignoring deaf communities facing obstacles that are painful, it’s worth praising “Sound of Metal”. Released in 2020, Darius Marder’s movie captured deaf musicians facing barriers. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Sound of Metal” stand out is its depiction of disability. Marder uses stunning sound-design to capture a deaf musician facing mental decline. Assisted by Riz Ahmed who is sensational in the lead role, Marder created a dazzling depiction of deaf musicians. A profound portrait of deaf musicians that lose their abilities to hear, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies about which audiences care.
8. Maestro
When it comes to the world’s greatest composers whose melodies shine, it’s worth discussing Leonard Bernstein. Achieving fame years ago, Bernstein composed melodies which were far from shallow. An awe-inspiring musician, Bernstein built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2023, Bradley Cooper honoured the musical maestro in his movie “Maestro”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Maestro” stand out is its depiction of orchestra. Cooper showcased extraordinary control behind the camera staging a stunning scene involving a real-life orchestra. Assisted by Carey Mulligan who is amazing in the lead role, Cooper honoured a legendary musician. As memorable as melodies composed by Leonard Bernstein, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost abilities to shine by producing timeless movies audiences consider divine.
9. Elvis
Elvis Presley is a celebrated musician my grandfather always appreciated. I remember my grandfather was obsessed with the iconic singer. He would always speak fondly about a singer that he grew up watching in Germany. My grandfather loved to tell fond stories of a singer in a heartbreak hotel. In 2022, Baz Luhrmann honoured the legendary musician in his movie “Elvis”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Elvis” stand out is its energy. Luhrmann uses energetic non-linear storytelling capturing Elvis’ complex relationship with his manager. Assisted by Austin Butler who is extraordinary in the lead role, Luhrmann honoured Elvis Presley’s legacy. An extraordinary tribute towards Elvis Presley, it’s an exhilarating reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated movies which audiences love dearly.
10. Bohemian Rhapsody
Freddie Mercury is a legendary musician that built a lasting legacy. Forming the band Queen in the 1970’s, Mercury composed memorable melodies. In 2018, Bryan Singer honoured the musician in his movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Singer used captivating musical montages to honour an iconic musician. Assisted by Rami Malek who is extraordinary in the lead role, Singer honoured Mercury’s legacy. Although I’m a fan of the movie, it’s not perfect. The film’s depiction of Mercury’s sexual identity has forever tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Freddie Mercury’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre that has made iconic movies capturing the lives of tragic musicians under pressure which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish dreams of becoming a film critic.
The Film Buff 