Best Films about Music or Musicians - Part 1

There have been several enjoyable movies featuring musicians, and music. From the comfort of our living room we can take a musical road trip, visit a swanky concert hall, experience an insider’s look at the music industry, travel back in time to a New York City discotheque, learn some musical history, get to know a musical legend while toe tapping to tunes all the way. Depending on your taste in music, the movie soundtrack is a guarantee to be solid gold. I enjoy many types of music so I collect and watch movies featuring all kinds of music from vintage classical, to rock and roll, together with the blues, soul, country western, bluegrass, and some pop music to round out the mojo.

The following 16 film reviews are the musical themed movies on my recommended list beginning with the most recent ones I have watched, and also tripped back in time to comprise at least one per decade, all the way to the 1940’s. I didn’t mean to skip the 60’s, but before you say Woodstock, recall that it was released in 1970.  Regrets if I omitted your favorite. I don’t have the time to see them all.  

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​1.       Love and Mercy: 2014 drama biopic music

​This is a comeback story about famous musical artist Brian Wilson. Hard core Beach Boy fans may be disappointed by the serious theme of the movie. It is not a happy-go-lucky Beach Boys songfest because it is based on the true story of Brian, and has some dark, unhappy scenes. Strong performances by both Paul Dano and John Cusack, as the younger and older Brian Wilson, are what drive this movie. By far the best part of the film is to see Brian Wilson (Paul Dano) in the recording studio and his interaction with the band members while composing a new album. Brian’s serious mental troubles begin soon afterwards. I think it is safe to say the LSD trips did not help his shaky mental condition. Stay for the credits and see the real Brian Wilson perform the title song.

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2.       The Sapphires: 2012  drama biopic music foreign

​Although edged with some serious themes, this film nevertheless does an amazing job of being funny, and has a great soundtrack with plenty of 60’s Soul music. I was impressed with the talented cast that you never heard of, or seen before. Doesn’t matter; they nailed this movie all the way. Stay for the credits and see old photos and film of the real Sapphires. A feel-good movie for the whole family, and based on an amazing true story.

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