MINDFUL MELODY
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles
Search

LATEST POSTS

A selection of articles from all our issues - go to 'The Magazine' to read them all, including exclusive interviews from Aston Barrett Jr., Niko Moon, Serena Ryder, Canaan Smith and many more...

Are Biopics Good for Fans?

8/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

David Dawson

Within the last few years we’ve been graced with two masterpiece biopics; ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ depicting Queen and particularly Freddie Mercury and ‘Rocketman’ depicting the life of Sir Elton John. It is no question to me that these two films are great pieces of cinema and I thoroughly enjoyed watching both – but the real question is – are they good for us as fans?

One of the main things about biopics that I love is learning all about the ‘behind the scenes’ lives of our favourite artists and their interpersonal relationships; and most importantly their issues. I’ve written many times before about the troubles that come with fame that we often overlook. Blinded by the glitz and glamour it’s far too easy to look jealously on at these heroes we put on a pedestal than acknowledging that they too have a life full of difficulties. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ for example made a fantastic job of showing us some of the darker times in Freddie Mercury’s life when falling into a rockstar lifestyle of drugs caused him to alienate all of those close to him; or when Sir Elton John fell into a rockstar life of drugs causing him to alienate all those close to him (I’m sensing a theme here). For me personally a lot of this happened in the years before I was born, so whilst I’m familiar with the greatest hits of both artists I missed out on a lot of the tabloid’s headlines, publicised relationship problems and booze and narcotic fuelled antics. This meant that by watching these films I gained a deeper sense of sympathy, understanding and knowledge of some legendary artists who I’d only really known previously by voice. This was particularly true for Sir Elton, who having been recently 30 years sober, has throughout my whole life been one of Britain’s moral and upstanding sweethearts that warranted the ‘Sir’ prefix. You can imagine my surprise therefore when ‘Rocketman’ depicted the artist battling through countless childhood traumas and mental difficulties whilst filling his body with a plethora of illegal substances and essentially falling off of the rails. I’m sure this was no surprise to an older audience who probably remember reading about it but for me goes completely against the depiction I had of the man.

This isn’t a problem for me though; it’s actually a huge bonus. Whilst watching these films we are often shown explanations and inspirations for songs that before we may not have known. Again, the best example of this for me comes from ‘Rocketman’ and the title song itself. In my limitless naivety and squeaky clean impression of Sir Elton I had always assumed this song to be a triumphant telling of a man flying out into space. One look at the lyrics will let you know the extent of my stupidity, but to be honest before seeing the film I had no reason to question my view. It has however given me a new appreciation for the metaphor and the darker meaning behind the song – moving it up even further in my list of classics. This was similar in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in which we were shown Freddie Mercury slowly but surely piecing together the all time great song that shares its name with the film. We see him battle through many a confused face and disapproving look to pull together his artwork and although I’ve heard it a thousand times watching it come together like this really just makes you realise how bizarre it is, and how genius. I think these films really give fans a new appreciation of the sheer talent of these artists that we’ve maybe ignored in the past. Sure you’ve been hearing them on the radio for years but have you really ever stopped to consider their lives, their inspirations or their sheer musical talent? Now this would obviously be a pretty dull article if I didn’t have some sort of downside or counter argument so here goes. Can these films give us the wrong impression? I think ‘Rocketman’ probably gets away with this more. The film makes it clear that it takes artistic liberties from the start – we see Elton floating from his piano and seeing people who aren’t really there. It’s an amazing commentary on his mental state and I think only adds to the theme of the film, but it also makes clear to audiences that what we see isn’t exactly how it happened but more an artistic variation based on a thoroughly researched version of the truth. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on the other hand attempts to almost remake some of Freddie’s life shot for shot. Sure we know going to the cinema that what we are seeing is an adaptation but it’s made to look and feel so real. This is probably a credit to the writers, set designers and actors if anything but it does make it difficult to see where the line blurs. I’m sure there are some parts of the film, some private conversations or small parts of chronology that slightly don’t add up but when you watch it’s made to be so accurate that you just can’t tell. I’m sure most of it is accurate and very well researched with a lot of input from people who were there, but still it can be a dangerous game to blur the line so closely. Another fantastic biopic I haven’t mentioned does the same. ‘Straight Outta Compton’, which depicts the rise and fall of N.W.A, is another must see but also makes the mistake of not telling us entirely the truth. Again, we all expect there to be some artistic liberties but the film is depicted to be so real, and in collaboration with people who were actually there, that we really have no way of knowing. This came to a head when after the film I was shocked to find out that one of the most bad-ass and iconic scenes didn’t really happen. During a concert the group are warned against performing their song ‘F Tha Police’, by the police. Being N.W.A they play it anyway and eventually get stormed by police and leave the show in handcuffs whilst officers outside are being mobbed by angry fans. It’s pretty cool. It turns out that in real life whilst it did kind of happen it’s dialled down by about 100. Instead of firing gunshots from the crowd, the police threw small fireworks onto the stage to cause a commotion before catching the fleeing band and issuing them with a fine whilst asking for autographs for friends and family. I can see why they spiced it up a bit, but in a film that seems so true and close to the mark, and with inputs from all those involved, it seems unfair that they’d trick an audience by again blurring that line.

​
So – are biopics good for us as fans? Overall it’s a resounding yes. I’ve learnt so much in the past about some great, great artists through biopics and I always find that after watching I’ve got a reignited love and passion for their songs. It seems that as soon as the credits roll I’m adding songs to my playlist that I’d forgotten about, or have just gained a new appreciation for. I think this is the same for a lot of fans, who love seeing what goes on behind the smoke and mirrors of the glitz and glamour. I also think it’s a fantastic way to drive home the message that these people we put up on a pedestal do have their own issues and struggles and I know that I’ve certainly gained a new appreciation for Sir Elton after understanding all that he has been through. My only qualm really is that the films should either be artistic or accurate. It seems to me that if you’re going to make a film that plays out as being 100% factual, it’s not really fair to start juicing up scenes or changing chronology to suit the script. If you want to be artistic about it and add some drama, then follow in the footsteps of ‘Rocketman’ and make it clear that this is what you’re doing and use it to really drive home the message.

​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Buy print editions of Mindful Melody Issue 11 below!

    Buy now

      Subscribe below to get each issue straight to your inbox!

    Subscribe to Mindful Melody

    Articles List

    All
    Adam Douglas On His 'middle-aged Mental Health Awakening'
    Adele & Andy Find Perfect Harmony On 'Where I Belong' EP
    Ajeet: Review And Interview
    Album Review: Mac McAnally’s ‘Once In A Lifetime’ Is Both A Soundtrack And An Antidote For Our Times
    Am I Right To Be Optimistic About 2021?
    And A Little Help From The Forest
    And Being Born For The Stage
    And No Shoes Nation: How Fan Clubs Are Easing Lockdown Loneliness
    Andy Franks Interview - Music Support: Meet The Music Industry Veteran Working For Change
    A New Way Forward For Musical Theatre?
    An Interview With: Mesita
    An Interview With Thomas Corneill From Young Martyrs - Navigating Life As A Full-time Musician
    An Interview With Ziggy Alberts: Bringing Unity Through Music
    Are Biopics Good For Fans?
    A Review Of: Petrichor – Jon Reynolds & The Aches Something For Everyone
    A Talk With The Lead Wailer: Aston Barrett Jr
    Bo Burnham's 'INSIDE' - Dark Comedy And Music Combine
    Bootleggers
    Breaking The Boundaries Of Genre And Mood An Interview With Jon Reynolds
    But I Think We Will Find A Common Ground": Finn Matthews Interview
    Can Music Be Your Coping Mechanism?
    Carl Falk Interview: The Avicii Hitmaker On Friendship
    Channel Your Negativity Into Creativity
    Charlotte Young: Tackling Positivity And Negativity (Sometimes Simultaneously!)
    Christmas Music: The Marmite Of The Charts
    'Chris Tomlin & Friends': Joy That Transcends Religion
    Clipping. – Visions Of Bodies Being Burned Review
    Directioners
    Does Listening To Music Help Us Study?
    Don't Have Time To Create A Vision-board? Try This 'audio-board' Alternative
    “Don’t You Know That You’re Toxic?”: Why The Music Industry Really Is A 'poisoned Paradise' (Yingmin Khoo Guest Post)
    Emma Moore Interview Finding Self-Love In Music And Society - Interview
    Escaping The Shuffle Society - How To Improve Mindfulness Through Music
    Faith
    Find Your Own Therapy
    From Bullied Teen To Chart-topper: Kelsey Bovey
    George Strait
    Gloria Anderson Interview: Cars
    Greetings From...The Marfa Tapes: Let Miranda Lambert
    Grief And The Songwriting Process
    Hardy On His Hopes For Hixtape Vol 2 And Being Country As Hell!
    "Hate Has Become The Default
    Headphone Holiday: Kenny Chesney
    How Can Music Affect Our Emotions
    Humility And Heart
    Interview: Andreas Moe
    Interview: CalledOut Music
    Interview: Canaan Smith - How He Found Himself Through Fatherhood
    Interview: Essie Jain - Creating Healing Music For All Ages
    Interview: Haley & Michaels
    Interview: Kieran Lancini
    Interview: Kylie Morgan
    Interview: Morgan Wade
    Interview: Music Therapy With Tiziana Pozzo
    Interview: Tyler Braden On Small Towns
    Is The Music Industry Turning A New Leaf With Its Support Of Mental Health?
    "It's Time To Stop Living In My Head": Interview With Nashville's Olivia Lane
    Jack Ingram And Jon Randall Be Your Tour Guides On This Sonic Retreat
    Jhené Aiko's Chilombo: A Perfect Blend Of Peace And Passion
    Jhené Aiko's Chilombo: A Perfect Blend Of Peace And Passion
    Kenny Chesney
    Kristi Hoopes - Engagement
    Lathan Warlick Interview: How A Brush With Death Inspired His Music's Message Of 'God
    Love And Unity'
    Low-Strung And Amped-Down: Unplug Your Mind By Going Acoustic
    Lyrical Life Lessons #2: 'Don't Blink'
    Lyrical Life Lessons #3 - 'Give Me More Time'
    Machine Gun Kelly Has Gifted Us The Realest Album Of 2020
    MAJE On Motivation
    Make Yourself A Musical Photo Album
    Man On The Moon III: Kid Cudi Finds Dawn After Years Of Darkness In This Modern Epic
    Meet The Man Determined To Bring More Positivity Into Country Music - An Interview With: Kyle Elliott
    Memories And Music
    Mental Health And Me #10-David: My Dream Band Line-Up
    Mental Health And Me #2: Maxim
    Mental Health And Me #3: David Why 'How Are You?' Is My 2020 Kryptonite
    Mental Health And Me #3: Maxim - How Sad Songs Showed Me The Value Of Wholeness Over Happiness
    Mental Health And Me #4: Maxim - 'Pitch Perfectionism'
    Mental Health And Me #5: David
    Mental Health And Me #5: Maxim - Can You Dance Away The Lockdown Blues?
    Mental Health And Me #6: David - Meditation Memoirs
    Mental Health And Me #6: Maxim - How Country Music Showed Me The Power Of Gratitude
    Mental Health And Me #7: David - Was I Right To Be Optimistic About 2021? The Follow Up
    Mental Health And Me #7: Maxim - Can ‘mindful Listening' Help Ease Productivity-guilt?
    Mental Health And Me #8: David - Enjoying The Ride
    Mental Health And Me #9: David Was I Right To Be Optimistic About 2021 - The Trilogy
    Mental Health And Me: David
    Mental Health And Me: David - How Running Made Me A Better Person
    Mental Health And Me: Maxim
    Mind Over Matter - Why Everything's Going To Be Alright (Even If It Isn't)
    Mitchell Kersley Challenges Toxic Masculinity On New Single
    Mod Sun's 'Internet Killed The Rockstar' - A Familiar Story
    More Than A Musician: Meet The Artist Making A Real Difference In The World Of Mental Health - An Interview With Serena Ryder
    Music
    Music And Memory: The Healing Power Of Music (Yingmin Khoo Guest Post)
    My New 'Malibu Theory'
    Nihilism In Rap Music: Misunderstood
    'Oh Man
    Our Top 10 Songs For...Peaceful Melancholy
    Our Top 10 Songs To Make You Laugh
    Our Top 10 Songs...to Relax To
    Our Top Ten...Slow Down And Simplify Songs
    Our Top Ten Songs...about Self-Love
    Our Top Ten Songs For...Peaceful Melancholy
    Our Top Ten Songs Of Nature
    Performance Anxiety: Friend Or Foe?
    Ray Fulcher Interview - "I Want People To Think
    Sampling - Creative Genius Or Cutting Corners?
    Sarah Louise: The UK Country Singer-songwriter That Just Wants You To Believe In Yourself
    Seafret Slow Down And Simplify With New Piano Sessions EP - Interview
    Self-Improvement And New 'Fly On The Wall' Project
    Should Your New Self-love Mantra Be A Rap Lyric?
    Songs That Get Me Through Lockdown - David
    Songs That Get Me Through Lockdown - Maxim
    Sounds That Heal And Relax: The Music Of Mindfulness
    Sound Therapy: A Vibe-check
    Spotify Recommended: Help Or Hindrance?
    Starz In Their Eyes – The Music Industry According To Just Jack
    Starz In Their Eyes – The Music Industry According To Just Jack
    Stereotypes And Saving Lives
    Sublime Simplicity - Quadeca's Atmospheric 'From Me To You' Album Reviewed
    Tamar Haviv: The Singer-songwriter Who's Making The World A Better Place
    Tebey Interview
    The 90’s Country Comeback: Why Cowboy Hats And Honky-tonks Are Striking A Chord With Gen-Z
    The 90’s Country Comeback: Why Cowboy Hats And Honky-tonks Are Striking A Chord With Gen-Z
    The Artist Making Iconic Songs Her Own - An Interview With: Lissie
    Then It's Okay If I Do Too.'"
    The Safety Of Familiarity
    The Sonic Ranch: Midland's Origin-story Digs Up Their Roots And Strikes Gold
    The Voice
    Thomas Rhett Finds Happiness At Home On Country Again (Side A)
    Tick
    Tick… Boom! The Musical Of Honesty
    Tim Prottey-Jones - From Western To West End - And Back!
    Tom Cary - New Single 'Something In The Whiskey' Breaks Country Music's Heartbreak Streak
    Top 10 Motivational Masterpieces
    Top 10 Songs For Concentration
    Top 10 Songs For...Overcoming Heartbreak
    Toxic Or Positive?
    Vinyl Therapy
    Well If Ray's Got His Own Struggles
    Why 'Lonely' Confirms Justin Bieber's Move From Guilty Pleasure To Admirable Star
    Wren Kelly Tackling Society And Mental Health In New Single 'Game Over'
    Zac Brown Band - 'The Comeback' In Name And Nature
    Zane Williams Interview

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Magazine
  • The Articles