Rock biopics to watch on Sunday: From Jim Morrison to Cate Blanchett and Val Kilmer’s Bob Dylan

In a work of art that deals with biography, literature or cinema, it can be too tempting to simply tell the story of an artist’s rise to fame from start to finish, narrating every moment from first kiss to last wish.

After so many years of such biopics, this form of storytelling has reached such an important place that it has moved into parody.

The best films of this type take the essence of an artist’s life and choose a specific part of their career to explorethus this brief look at their lives often reflects their entire career.

However, a compelling lead performance is also vital in conveying the spirit, excitement of any artist’s life and career.

This list seeks to share some of the best biographical performances that have come close to rock stars as performed by Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Val Kilmer, and Chadwick Boseman, among others.

Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in “The Doors”

The film, directed by Oliver Stone, released in 1991, traces the life of the Doors frontman, Jim Morrison, a scandalous and sensual rock and roll figure from the late 1960s until his death in 1971 at the age of 27 years.

Morrison has gone down in history as one of the most iconic rock leaders of all time. In 1991, Oliver Stone turned Morrison’s story into spectacle with the film The Doors. Although the film received mixed reviews from critics and fans, Val Kilmer’s performance was excellent.

To convince Stone he was right for the part, Kilmer recorded an eight-minute tape of him singing Doors songs as Morrison, appearing as a singer at different stages in his life. He lost weight for the role, learned 50 songs, 15 of which are performed in the film, and learned to sing like Morrison so well that members of The Doors were reportedly unable to make out the voice recordings by Kilmer.

Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in “Get On Up”

As one of the founding figures of funk, James Brown was one of music’s most influential voices, inspiring the evolution of genres from rap to disco.

Director Tate Taylor explored Brown’s life in his 2014 biopic Go outstarring the late great Chadwick Boseman in the title role.

Also starring Nelsan Ellis, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis and Dan Aykroyd, the film was generally praised, although Boseman’s performance stood out as the highlight of Get On Up.

Sadly, Boseman passed away in 2020, tragically ending a thriving career. Though he was best known for his role as T’Challa in the films of Black Panther Wonder, the depth of Boseman’s performing skills they really showed in his portrayal of Brown, where he embodies the singer terrifyingly.

Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in “Walk The Line”

Popularly regarded as one of the best actors in contemporary cinema, Joaquin Phoenix could have won an Oscar jokerbut his best biopic role was chronicling the life of Johnny Cash, in walk the lineby James Mangold.

Based on Cash’s autobiography, man in blackadapted by Mangold and Gill Dennis, follows the country music star’s life, from his early days on an Arkansas farm to his success with Sun Records in Memphis.

Although Phoenix physically resembles Cash, the success of his performance does not lie in mere impression. Embodying the personality and soul of the popular figure, Phoenix effortlessly convinces the audience that he is the country singerphysically dedicating himself to the role, illustrated in several memorable scenes.

Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan in “I’m Not There”

Todd Haynes directed in 2007, I’m not there about the life and times of Bob Dylan and had six actors play the singer, including Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Ben Whishaw and Cate Blanchett.

While the other cast members do a good job, Blanchett shines with his portrayal of Jude Quinn, a character that faithfully reflects Dylan’s career in the mid-1960s. Blanchett commands attention in her role, capturing the musician’s energy perfectly.