52 Films by Women Vol 6. 12. RESPECT (Director: Liesl Tommy)
What do we want from a musical biopic? First, we want to see a contemporary star as near as damn impersonate or at least embody a long-dead musical artist. Second, we want to know something about the subject. Where did they come from? Who spotted their talent? How did they get their big break? What happened afterwards? Third, we want to be uplifted. The subject is redeemed for all of their lousy life choices by their music, a musical choice. Biopics sometimes end tragically but the performer invariably leaves something behind. Invariably, we leave the cinema humming or singing the artist’s songs. Biopics can be award magnets. Sissy Spacek, Jamie Foxx and Renee Zellweger won Oscars for playing Loretta Lynn, Ray Charles and Judy Garland in Coal Miner’s Daughter , Ray and Judy respectively. They can make stars out of unknown actors like Gary Oldman (who played Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy ) and Sam Riley (who starred as Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis in Control ). The British...