Biopics Are Hollywood's Favorite Money Grab
"Another one?" is the typical reaction when Hollywood announces that a biopic is in the works. If you're lucky, they'll make one while you're still alive, like Elton John's biopic Rocketman. Or at least with the approval of one's family, like Baz Luhrman's Elvis, made with the support of Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis's daughter, and his grandchildren Riley and Ben Keough. However, approval is not always sought from the individual or the family members involved, like Netflix Original Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
With this biopic boom, one is at the center of attention every award season, vying for the most wins. While these films undoubtedly provide platforms for amazing actors and, for the most part, tell beautiful stories, it seems like this recent era of cinema is just Hollywood's way of saying that they've run out of ideas, and the next best thing seems to be profiting off of people's traumas.
Biopics have been a staple in cinema for decades, offering audiences a glimpse into the lives of historical figures like Gandhi and Malcolm X and cultural icons like Freddie Mercury. They've even retold gallant stories like 12 Years a Slave and The Boys in the Boat.
Unofficially but unanimously, there are three crucial elements in making a good biopic: looks, story, and approval; if the actor doesn't look like a clone of the figure, the masses will bring their pitchforks. If the stories aren't being told truthfully or ethically, what's the point in making them other than profit? And if the real person and people affected by the film are not involved, it becomes a disservice to that person's legacy.
Looks
While an actor's physical appearance is the lesser part of telling someone's story, it is still an essential factor that can often direct an audience's attention away from the story if done improperly.
In 2016, Zoe Saldana played Nina Simone, an African-American singer-songwriter and civil rights activist. Saldana is Dominican and Puerto Rican with Haitian roots. The film was criticized because many felt the story of Nina Simone should have been brought to life by a dark-skinned African American woman. Hair and makeup gave Saldana the illusion of darker skin and afro-textured hair, which brought attention to the broader issue of colorism within the industry: lighter-skinned actors being chosen for roles, even when the story is about a dark-skinned individual. In the case of the film, Nina Simone's dark skin and the experiences she faced were crucial aspects of her life, which many believed that casting a light-skinned actress overlooked.
Image Courtesy: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images; David Redfren/Redfrens
Recently, Sofia Coppola directed the biopic Priscilla, narrating the story of Priscilla Presley and her controversial relationship with Elvis. At the time of the film's announcement, the media was still buzzing about Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, in which Austin Butler portrayed the Graceland singer and Olivia DeJonge played his wife. However, when Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny were cast as Elvis and Priscilla in Priscilla, people couldn't help but make jokes about the persistent challenge of getting casting right, especially with four opportunities for at least one of the actors to resemble the character they were playing.
Image Courtesy: Left: Austin Butler in "Elvis." Right: Jacob Elordi in "Priscilla."
Warner Bros. Pictures; A24
Story
When making a biopic, filmmakers have to commit to honoring the life and legacy of the individual. They walk a fine line when adapting their lives and are responsible for being sensitive, accurate, and respectful. This means conducting thorough research to accurately represent that person's accomplishments, experiences, and challenges. The 2010 David Fincher film The Social Network is often regarded as well-made and has massive critical acclaim, but the retelling of the story falls incredibly short.
Based on the founder and CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerburg, the film focused mainly on the legal battles that clouded the company when it launched. While the movie takes creative liberty for entertainment purposes, it's important to note that this was made and inspired by a real person. What is the point of making a film and including the real people who took part in the events if you're not going to honor the story? If you asked Zuckerburg himself, the only part of the movie they got right was how he dressed.
In 2022, Netflix released the biographical thriller Blonde, based on American icon Marilyn Monroe. Many people were disappointed that Ana De Armas did not resemble Marilyn Monroe, and when the film came out, people were disgusted by the content and story. The film is a work of biographical fiction, meaning that the storyline is made up but "heavily inspired" by the life of Monroe. Although it was based on the 2000 novel Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates, it could have been a separate entity. There was no need to profit from Marilyn Monroe's looks or name.
Approval
When making a biopic, filmmakers should communicate openly and consult with individuals close to the real-life figures. And, if making a story about someone still alive, they deserve the opportunity to give their approval and be a part of the creative process. This collaboration ensures a more accurate and nuanced portrayal of the person's character, relationships, and contributions. By involving those who know the person intimately, filmmakers can avoid perpetuating stereotypes or misrepresentations that might arise from a lack of insight.
In 2022, Hulu released the TV show Pam and Tommy, which followed the lives and toxic relationship of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. Before the show aired, audiences instantly criticized the reasoning behind the creation of the show. The series highlighted the exploitation of the relationship, theft, and illegal distribution of the sex tape privately recorded by Anderson and Lee. The creator, D.V. DeVincentis, even admitted to not getting Anderson's approval to create the story, saying, "We particularly wanted to let Pamela Anderson know that this portrayal was very much a positive thing and that we cared a great deal about her and wanted her to know that the show loves her. We didn't get a response".
Image Courtesy: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images; Erin Simkin/hulu
During an interview with Variety almost a year after the show's release, Pamela described Hulu’s Pam and Tommy creators as "Assholes."
The Pam and Tommy biopic, along with a string of others like Blonde, the upcoming Amy Winehouse documentary, Back to Black, and even Pocahontas, are profiting off the lives and stories of real people. Making significant noise through Hollywood, whether highly acclaimed or not.
While biopics are becoming more dominant in the entertainment industry, with nearly dozens made and released yearly, it's normal to feel fatigued. It's also important to question the effectiveness of the biopic and the reasons for its making. Filmmakers must balance the desire for critical acclaim and financial success with a commitment to responsible storytelling and creative exploration. Most importantly, be held accountable when overstepping and wrongfully bringing these stories to the big screen.
Strike Out,
Morgann Rhule
Boca Raton
Morgann (yes with 2 n’s) is the Web Director and a content writer for Strike Magazine. Her best friends describe her as a shopaholic bookworm who gives the best advice. Born in Jamaica, she wears it proudly with a beaded red, green, and gold necklace she never takes off. You can reach her on insta @morgannrhule or email morgannrhule@gmail.com
