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. Walk the Line
Johnny Cash is a legendary musician my grandfather always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed relationships with a grandfather that appreciated a musician which gave an inspiring message. Drawn towards ring of fire, Johnny Cash was a musician my grandpa would admire. He would always speak fondly about a great musician constructing timeless melodies that shaped his identity. In 2005, James Mangold honoured the iconic musician that composed melodies which shine in his movie “Walk the Line”. Ever since its release in 2005, James Mangold’s movie has stood test of time as the greatest film ever made about singers. With the greatest film of his career, Mangold used innovative techniques to capture the dark life of a great musician that composed melodies which people love to hear. Mangold has always had an aptitude for making movies about famous singers facing danger, and “Walk the Line” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Mangold deftly uses non-linear storytelling to capture the life of a musician that built a legacy that’s lasting. For instance, the scene in which Johnny Cash crafts his first ever song composing melodies people love to hear in America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an excellent role by Joaquin Phoenix, who embodied a legendary country singer in history. Ultimately, what makes “Walk the Line” my favourite film about musicians of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about bold musicians, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Johnny Cash’s music to appreciate it. Nearly 50 years after Johnny Cash became a groundbreaking musician overcoming alcohol addiction that was dire to cross the ring of fire, it’s a great reminder of a commemorated genre that produces movies which audiences commonly admire.
2. Whiplash
Teachers don’t always treat students in compassionate manners. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a Math teacher that had a habit of bullying causing damage. He was a cruel teacher that often enjoyed mistreating students with ridicule. Willing to yell, he rarely got along well with pupils whose lives he made a hell. As someone haunted by a teacher that mistreated students in ways which were brash, I adored “Whiplash”. Released in 2014, Damien Chazelle’s movie captured the lives of cruel jazz music instructors. Drawing from his own personal experience, Chazelle created a powerful portrait of band teachers with a tendency for violence. For instance, the scene in which Fletcher bullies Andrew for his inability to reach a tempo causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a towering performance by J.K. Simmons, who embodied a frightening teacher. Ultimately, what makes “Whiplash” a musical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about teachers that would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies about jazz music, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. As strong as Andrew’s desire to become a successful jazz drummer, it’s a melodious reminder of an astonishing genre that has made unforgettable movies which audiences tremendously treasure.
3. 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 universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the original to appreciate it. 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 commemorated genre that has manufactured timeless movies giving audiences dreams to commonly follow.
4. 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.
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 universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of jazz music to appreciate it. The film delivers a profound message about sacrifices involved in achieving dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as relationships between lovers cherishing jazz music in L.A. it’s a melodious reminder of a commemorated genre that has made timeless films which absolutely deserve to be celebrated today.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. A Complete Unknown
Bob Dylan is a legendary musician that composed timeless melodies earning recognition. Achieving fame in the 1950’s, Dylan composed commemorated melodies. Like a Rolling Stone, Dylan was a well-known musician in a league of his own. In 2024, James Mangold honoured the well-known singer in his movie “A Complete Unknown”. Unlike most movies released in the genre, what makes “A Complete Unknown” stand out is its musical numbers. Mangold stages captivating musical numbers honouring a musician that had a lifelong love for singing. Assisted by Timothee Chalamet who is extraordinary in the lead role, Mangold celebrating Bob Dylan’s enduring legacy. As precious as Bob Dylan’s melodies, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that manufactured unforgettable movies about singers with strong larger-than-life personalities.
10. Bohemian Rhapsody
Freddie Mercury is a legendary singer 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 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 admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s ignorance of Freddie Mercury’s homosexuality has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable addition to the genre. As strong as Freddie Mercury’s desire to become a musician, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies about singers under pressure facing tension which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 