Not many genres have offered wisdom of stardom. Since the 1990’s, stories of celebrities achieving fame have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s psychotic actors, shallow singers or famous film producers, the genre has produced several strong characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about stardom which deserve to be celebrated.
1. A Star is Born
Alcohol addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. Several years ago, I formed a friendship with a kid in my school that suffered from severe alcohol addiction causing sorrow. He always had big dreams of becoming a famous musician. However, his huge dreams of stardom were forever shattered by his alcoholism. Our friendship ended when I decided that I could no longer bear witnessing him getting totally wasted. Few films I’ve seen have captured how alcohol addiction can prevent stars from being born as powerfully as “A Star is Born”. Following its release in 2018, Bradley Cooper’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about stardom. With the greatest film of his career, Cooper used innovative cinematic techniques to capture an alcoholic musician facing despair. Cooper has always had an aptitude for making great movies about stardom putting people in danger, and “A Star is Born” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Jackson Maine invites Ally on stage to perform “Shallow” for the first time attracting media attention is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Lady Gaga, who embodied an actress seeking stardom with charisma. Ultimately, what makes “A Star is Born” my favourite film about stardom of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about stars, it tackles strong themes that would resonate with everyone. It delivers a commemorated message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade after the release of a great musical about stars suffering from alcohol addiction that’s far from shallow, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made bold movies giving audiences dreams to commonly follow.
2. Birdman
Broadway actors have figures that fascinate my father today. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that admired actors performing on stage. Fascinated with Broadway, he would marvel at the meticulous way in which theatre actors created a stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu’s Oscar-winning movie captured mentally unstable theatre performers. Inarritu effectively uses unreliable narration to capture the mind of a mentally disturbed theatre actor facing tension. For instance, the scene in which Riggan faces a breakdown arguing with his alter-ego in his apartment causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Michael Keaton, who embodied an actor facing self-destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A bold portrait of mental health struggles faced by actors seeking success on stage, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to engage by manufacturing great movies with a meaningful message.
3. 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. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was an attractive girl that my entire school would admire. However, immigration became a big barrier bringing our bonds to a closure. When my family immigrated, I was forced to end relationships with a girl I appreciated. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured sacrifices of achieving stardom dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Released in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s musical captured actors seeking stardom in Los Angeles. Chazelle used musical numbers to capture lovers whose romance is threatened by stardom in their respective careers. For instance, the scene in which Mia sings about her dreams to become an actress in an audition is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who portray a pair of artists in L.A. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” a musical masterpiece is its message. It delivers a profound message about the sacrifices involved in achieving stardom which would resonate with everyone. As strong as bonds between lovers in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made great movies which are worth celebrating absolutely today.
4. My Week With Marilyn
Marilyn Monroe is a legendary movie-star that inspired my mother years ago. I remember my mother was once a huge fan of the legendary actress she would treasure. Drawn towards Hollywood’s Golden Age, she would love discussing an iconic actress with abilities to engage. As someone treasuring memories of a mother that adored Marilyn Monroe, I appreciated “My Week With Marilyn”. Released in 2011, Simon Curtis’ movie celebrated the legendary movie-star’s legacy. Curtis used captivating production-design to recreate the life of a legendary movie-star that faced a decline. For instance, the scene in which Marilyn questions whether she is loved by her husband causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Michelle Williams, who honoured an iconic movie-star in history. Ultimately, what makes “My Week With Marilyn” a great movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Marilyn Monroe to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about fame which would resonate with everyone. A marvellous tribute towards Marilyn Monroe, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies about the consequences of achieving fame giving audiences dreams to commonly follow.
5. Rocketman
Elton John is a great musician that always earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember forming strong bonds with a mother that often adored the famous singer. She would always praise iconic melodies composed by a tiny dancer singer that had shaped her identity. Drawn to the yellow brick road, she adored a great 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 singer that struggled to come to terms with his grim sexual identity. For instance, the scene in which Elton John discloses the grim 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 a great role by Taron Edgerton, who embodied the bold nature 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 the personal issues that Elton John faced in his career. Viewers don’t need to be big fans of the musician to admire it. Nearly 60 years after Elton John overcame the barrier of sexual identity to be a famous singer, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made iconic movies which audiences commonly treasure.
6. Walk the Line
When it comes to the greatest musicians that suffered from rash alcoholism, it’s worth discussing Johnny Cash. Earning fame in the 1950’s, Cash composed timeless melodies. Despite his severe alcoholism, Cash achieved great stardom. In 2005, James Mangold honoured the divine musician in his movie “Walk the Line”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Walk the Line” stand out is its depiction of musicians. Mangold uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing alcoholic hardships that Johnny Cash was facing. Assisted by Joaquin Phoenix who is outstanding in the lead role, Mangold honoured a legendary musician. As strong as Johnny Cash’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has made iconic movies about tragic alcoholism which have captivated the movie-going public.
7. The Substance
Body image impacts the lives of women. At an early age, I formed bonds with a girl that was deeply concerned about her body image. She desired to use a substance that could transform her into a younger version of herself. As someone haunted by a girl that yearned for drugs to change her appearance, I adored “The Substance”. Released in 2024, Coralie Fargeat’s movie captured the impact of body image on actresses. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Substance” stand out is its depiction of addiction. Fargeat uses captivating montages capturing hardships an actress is facing. Assisted by Demi Moore who is extraordinary, Fargeat created a compelling drama. A bold portrait of actresses that lack confidence using a substance, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made movies earning a tremendous audience.
8. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino is a legendary filmmaker that has often made great movies about stardom. With their compelling characters, sharp dialogue and strong acting, Tarantino’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2019, Tarantino made a memorable movie about stars seeking success in Hollywood in his movie “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” stand out is its depiction of the 1960’s. Tarantino uses gorgeous production-design to recreate the era of the 1960’s. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Tarantino honoured actors that achieved fame years ago. A touching tribute towards an era once upon a time in in Hollywood, it’s a riveting reminder of a great genre that has stood the test of time making movies that are commonly good.
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 commonly dearly.
10. Bohemian Rhapsody
Freddie Mercury is a legendary musician that built a lasting legacy. During the 1980’s, Mercury composed timeless melodies that achieved stardom. In 2018, Bryan Singer honoured the iconic singer’s legacy in his movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Singer uses captivating montages capturing a singer’s rise to stardom in the 1980’s. Assisted by Rami Malek who is superb in the lead role, Singer honoured Mercury’s legacy. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s ignorance of Mercury’s homosexuality has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Freddie Mercury’s desire to become a musician, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies about stars under pressure facing tension which I will forever treasure for motivating my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 