The Unfortunate Problem With Biopics (Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman)

Biopics have been a staple of cinema for decades, bringing the lives of extraordinary real people to the silver screen. From Ali and A Beautiful Mind to Lincoln and Chaplin, these films attempt to blend historical accuracy with compelling storytelling. But in recent years, the biopic genre has faced a growing issue—how much should truth be sacrificed for entertainment? Movies like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman are often compared, but what sets them apart is how they balance reality with Hollywood dramatization.

💬 Do you prefer accuracy or entertainment in biopics? Let us know in the comments!

👍 If you love deep dives into film and storytelling, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell!

#bohemianrhapsody #rocketman #filmhistory #oscarmovies

[TheLewistownTrainspotter]

5:37 With _Bohemian Rhapsody_ it's worth noting that Brian May and Roger Taylor were involved in it as executive producers, which honestly was a mistake. I mean, they made themselves appear more like saints than Freddie. When Roger Taylor himself was a well known party animal, womanizer and coke user. And most of the fighting and arguments within Queen were actually started by Brian May, and he often targeted his frustration at either Roger or Freddie (mostly Roger). (There's also the weird way that they make it as if Freddie was constantly tardy and not in the studio that much, when in fact he was very dedicated to his craft to the point of spending more time in the studio than anyone else in the band.)

[catrine]

I think the "warts and all" approach is easier when your subject (like Elton) is alive, well and blessing the story telling. No one can know how Freddie would have felt about Bohemian Rhapsody cause his life ended tragically too soon. The movie was however a lovely tribute to the music

[Altajp]

I'm so happy to see The Rocketman get the recognition it deserves. If we're talking about raw bios let's not forget What's love got to do with it. RIP

[st.anselmsfire]

Telling Elton John's story using Elton John's music was genius. That put it a cut above the rest.

[anthonyparkernearlifeexp]

Rocket man felt like an actual artistic film, while Bohemian Rhapsody felt like an after school special. Bohemian Rhapsody was so obviously little more than a commercial for Queen. I love queen more than Elton John, but I enjoyed Rocket man FAR more than Bo Rap.

[Masterofnone-]

The biggest problem with a lot of biopics is their inability to keep to the facts. Bohemian Rhapsody played so loose with the truth that even casual fans kept going "well, that's not right" and the real shame is the filmmakers didn't have to. There were so many great real events, but Bryan Singer chose to make stuff up. Walk the line suffers from this badly too.

[melaniemanning]

I'm so glad you pointed out how good Rocketman is. It's one of my favorite movies. His journey got me through some hard times, and the way they incorporate the songs and magical realism is beautiful

[tayj]

I think one of the reasons why Rocketman works is because Elton is still alive, so he could approve how much of his trauma could make it in the movie. It's harder to do that if (one of/the main) character is dead, because too much of the bad stuff comes across as exploitative (re: Blonde) or not enough personal history as generic like Bohemian Rhapsody feels sometimes.

[s.g.]

This is why I think Ray is hugely underrated, and really one of the best musical biopics I've ever seen. We come away from the film with huge respect for Ray Charles, his accomplishments and his talent, as well as sympathy for all the hard things he went through. He still does not come across as a good person.

[MarioGMan]

I still think it's a hilarious idea to watch Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, then Weird: The Al Yankovic Story as a Triple Feature.

[luckykennedy]

Love & Mercy is probably the best of the music biopic. Taking place between two points of Brian Wilson’s life. One during 1966-67 (Pet sounds/SMiLE era) and the mid 80s (The Landy era) both giving you a deeper understanding of the man without having to cover his entire life.

[shmeeden]

I just listened to the Elton John autiobiography "Me, " as an audiobook, and he pulls no punches, and is self-deprecating, honest, and frankly HILARIOUS in telling his life story. It's easy to see how Rocketman was able to take that attitude and run with it to make an incredible, moving, and at times very funny movie. I highly recommend that autobiography. One of the best things I've read in ages.

[chrisfox]

After seeing Walk Hard, I can't watch biopics any more with out seeing every trope. At the end of everyone I just bring up they died 3 minuets after this performance and laugh. RIP Dewey Cox

[jamesgatz]

One of the other problems with the Freddie Mercury movie was that 90% of the movie never actually happened.

[DarkMetalSpider]

Rocketman... literally the most EPIC biopic ever created, I put it right up there with Walk the Line... when you can truly, really 'feel' every single emotion coming through from any of the characters, especially from the main character... very believable, with so much emotion! I watched Rocketman for the first time last year, I watched it... and loved it so insanely much, accidently made a marathon run of 22 times ((in a row)) watched... has instantly shot up in my top 5 movies ever made, of all-time, to me. as someone (me) struggles with alcoholism and pills (I have a few diagnosed mental disorders), it was so real, and upfront with Elton's story... so much so, few times through the movie were very tearful, especially with the sui/ cide attempts, especially with the last one... it was almost like I could 'feel' myself (through) Elton... a very draining, and realistic, overwhelming experience! Rocketman truly means the world to me, and I thank Elton so much for sharing his life so public like that.

now, I do love Queen as well, and watched it once, and I really don't care to see it again, it was just o.k., kind of boring, and I did fall asleep twice while watching it, too dull, too clean, and very uninteresting... on every single level.

Rocketman Bohemian Rhapsody... any day, every day... all day...

[bleh-]

I can't believe he didn't mention Elvis once in this video. I haven't watched it but it was such a big thing this year, it's hard to miss

[lonefinch]

Surprised to not see Spike Lee’s Malcolm X mentioned here. It both models of biopic filmmaking simultaneously. I think it is one of the best biopics ever made. Probably due to the fact that is based on Alex Haley’s autobiography of Malcolm X.

[Housewarmin]

My favorite thing about Rocketman is Taron Egerton getting to sing "I'm Still Standing" again on the big screen (first sung in Sing as Johnny)

[jacobvarney]

I've always found Rocketman to feel separate from other biopics
It never feels corny for me and instead is a very moving story, plus the musical fantasy elements worked beautifully imo

[d]

I know it's a recent film, but Rocketman is truly my favorite movie of all time. I saw it three times in the theaters, and I've rewatch it at least 20 or more times at home. Something about the film really connected with me on an emotional level, that it has kind of become my comfort film. I even got my friend to watch it with me at least four times, once in the theater and 3 times at their house.