Biopics
***We will also do some in depth reviews of these movies as extra content!***
***But like...in a little while!!***
Grace of Monaco, directed by Oliver Dahan
This movie is… really, really good. But not historically accurate. I was very sad to discover this. However, the story does stay true to the struggles Grace Kelly had transitioning from Hollywood Actress to European Monarch and much of the conflict there. Nicole Kidman brings a lot of strength and elegance to this role. I love it a lot.
Queen of the Desert, directed by Werner Herzog
I don’t know why, but Nicole Kidman loves to portray impactful women in her movies, and she always does it in such a way that is true to the impact these women had. At some point, we will discuss her as an actress, I’m sure, but in this movie, she portrays the life of Gertrude Bell and her impact on the development of the Middle East. Interestingly, Bell was in the Middle East at the same time that Anna Leonowyn was in Siam, now Thailand, making an impact there. Just throwing that out there.
The Duchess, directed by Saul Dibb
Look familiar? Well, as I said before… this movie is a travesty. But the costume design is lovely. I don’t think I said that before. You do not need to worry about watching this one.
Bright Star, directed by Jane Campion
If you don’t like Keats, you will after this movie. It is quite beautiful and sad (spoilers). I don’t know how much of the story is true, to be honest, except on Keats’ end, but the story itself is good and I am excited to learn more about it.
Evita, directed by Jonathan Price
This is probably the first biopic I ever watched about a woman coming to power and making a difference. As a kid, I was more interested in the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber, but Evita’s story is moving as well. Again, this is one that I need to look into more, but generally recommend.
Ekatrina: The Rise of Catherine the Great, directed by Aleksandr Baranov and Ramil Sabitov
Please, for the love of everything I love, do not watch The Great on Hulu and think you’re going to learn anything substantial about Catherine the Great. This TV series, Ekaterina, was made in Russia, has English subtitles, and will portray the actual complexity of Catherine the Great’s life as opposed to making a sexual joke of everything Catherine was and stood for. I watched the entire first season and didn’t realize until a few years later that there was another season out that I could watch. They continue her story and tell it truthfully. Please. Do not let Hollywood diminish the name, memory, and story of one of the greatest women who ever lived.
Victoria, created by Daisy Goodwin
On that note, this is another TV Series that is on PBS and says it’s 7+, but parents, there’s lots of sex and I don’t think it’s for kids. However, the movie itself tries to give both a view of Victorian England as well as the life of the queen. I don’t know how accurate this one is, as I haven’t been able to find a good biography of Queen Victoria yet, but overall, I feel like it does a good job of showing how a young queen became a great ruler.
Olympia: Festival of Nations, directed by Leni Riefenstahl
So this is not a biopic, but this is the first film directed by Leni Riefenstahl for Hitler’s propaganda. It is a record of the 1936 Olympics in Germany and, I just have to say, the propaganda feels far less about Nazism and Germany than it does about athletes who become gods. The first part is on youtube, the full thing, but just a heads up, there is lots of nudity. If you want to see just the Olympics, skip about 20 min ahead, but you'll miss a lot of the stunning camera shots, some very innovative and frankly magical film reels, and a lot of propaganda. When we discuss this Leni Riefenstahl, you will hear how conflicted I am about this film. Also, do not believe how nice Riefenstahl is portrayed in Race because she was… not the best. There’s more propaganda in that one scene than there is in this entire film.
On the Basis of Sex, directed by Mimi Leder
This is the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburd and her work to end legal discrimination on the basis of sex/gender. Again, I need to do research for accuracy and I disagree with much of the Feminist messaging in it, but overall, an inspiring story.
Anne of the Thousand Days, directed by Charles Jarrott
Anne Boleyn was the first “Queen Anne” I discovered, and she was my hero for a while. I used to watch this movie all the time as a kid and I loved the story, the complexity… as far as historical accuracy, I know they get the main facts right. Certainly more accurate than The Other Boleyn Girl with Scarlett Johanson and Natalie Portman.
Becoming Jane, directed by Julian Jarrold
Ok. Here’s where I come across as all *elitist* or…maybe snobby is a better word. Having read literally every word Jane Austen ever wrote at university, I can tell you that this story never happened. So… sorry, Jane Austen fans, but this one… is not it. You can be romantic without ever falling in love. Sometimes just wishing for love is far more romantic and heartbreaking.