The cold Cape Town weather calls for a night of ‘Netflix and chill’ as you ease your way into the week ahead. And what’s better than dipping your finger into the biographical film jar and exploring the fascinating lives of the likes of Freddie Mercury and Steve Jobs.
So cosy up on your couch with a warm blanket and a hot bowl of popcorn and enjoy one of these five biopics:
Rocketman
This 2019 biographical musical fantasy drama is based on the life and music of British musician Elton John, born Reginald Dwight. He performs rock music at local pubs but later, meets John Reid, a music manager, who helps him rise to fame, but also creates chaos in his life.
The film follows his journey of transformation from a shy piano player, to a bright and sparkly superstar. Drugs, sex and music is at the forefront of this incredible film and Taron Egerton, who plays the role of Elton John, executes this brilliantly.
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Bohemian Rhapsody
If you love Queen’s music, you’ll love this film! Freddie Mercury (with his incredible talent) and his rock band achieve skyrocketing success, but he struggles with his ego, sexuality and a fatal illness in the process.
This 2018 biographical musical drama film showcases some of Queen’s best music, like the Live Aid performance, which is still spoken about today. Rami Malek stars as Freddie and does a stellar job of portraying the Rockstar.
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The Founder
This 2016 American biographical drama film follows the journey of Ray (Michael Keaton), a travelling salesman who meets the owners of McDonald’s, Mac and Dick McDonald. They were running a burger joint in Southern California.
Impressed by this venture and realising the potential of the place, Ray decides to make it the biggest restaurant business in the world by pulling the company from the brothers and creating a multi-billion dollar empire.
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Jobs
Jobs is a 2013 American biographical drama film based on the life of Steve Jobs, played by Ashton Kutcher. After revolutionising the home computers, Jobs and his technical whizz-kid friend, Steve Wozniak (Josh Gad) co-found Apple Inc.
Even though he is viewed as a leader and a visionary, Jobs’s style of functioning creates several problems for him and this rocky tenure leads to his eventual ouster from the company he co-founded.
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Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Queen of Scots is a 2018 historical drama film that details the return of Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan) to Scotland in order to claim her rightful throne. She attempts to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie), Queen of England, but finds herself condemned to years of imprisonment.
Rivals in power and in love, as well as female regents in a masculine world, these two powerful women must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence.
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Picture: Pexels / cottonbro