A biopic, a movie about a real person, is one of the most fascinating genres of film. They are meant to tell real stories and also be entertaining enough for audiences. But reality will often be bent to tell the story the “Hollywood way.”
In trying to do things the “Hollywood way”, these films often distort the truth in the stories they tell, moving things around or even completely making things up. The creative minds behind them will do this in order to fit a narrative arc, whether that be getting to a star’s top hit or most important moment from their life, which undermines historical accuracy and can sometimes spoil what fans know of the celebrities they love.
One of the most notable examples of how biopics may alter details from Dexter Fletcher’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The film takes several liberties with the timeline of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury’s life and the band itself. The film depicted Mercury’s diagnosis of HIV prior to the iconic 1985 Live Aid performance. He was actually diagnosed two years later in 1987. The decision is not only historically inaccurate but also added drama to Mercury’s performance, fighting the same disease he is advocating awareness for.
Some fans also criticized the film for its portrayal of Mercury’s sexuality for focusing on his relationship with Mary Austin. Fans argue T and I would too, that the film doesn’t paint the full picture behind one of rock’s biggest icons.
A film that was truthful and entertaining is Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis.” It took the world by storm and made Austin Butler a household name. The film focuses heavily on the problematic history and dramatizes the role of Colonel Tom Parker, which gave the film the necessary umph it needed to be the critical hit it was. Portraying Parker’s discovery of Presley as ‘destiny’ also gave the relationship and fallout between the two even more weight than the real history. However, the film glosses over Pressley’s controversial relationship with Priscilla, whom he met when she was 14 and he was 24.
Fans of this genre say that the films are made to entertain, not inform, which is true. after all, it is all about the business of making money. But when filmmakers alter major events or omit defining struggles, they cross from dramatization to distortion.
Hollywood biopics are great theater, but they shouldn’t be mistaken for truth. If filmmakers want to tell the “true story,” they owe audiences more honesty than spectacle. If audiences want to know the real people behind the legends, they’ll have to look beyond the big screen.