Top 10 biopics of the last 25 years

October 15, 4:45 PMAtlanta Movies ExaminerRyan McNally

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With the release of W, the new Oliver Stone film about President George W. Bush, it’s time to look at the 10 best biopics of the last 25 years. Of course, defining a biopic is a little challenging in and of itself. Is Schindler’s List a biopic? The Doors? (I vote a tentative “no” on both counts.)

Here, then, are my selections for the Top 10 biopics of the last quarter century, listed in alphabetical order:

1)     Amadeus (1984) – Where’s the line between genius and madness? This biopic of legendary composer Wolfgang A. Mozart won Best Pic and was nominated for 11 Oscars, taking home eight.

2)     The Aviator (2004) – Martin Scorsese delved into the brilliant and disturbed mind of filmmaker and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes in this Oscar nominee. The aerial sequences are mesmerizing, DiCaprio does stellar work, and the final scene is a keeper.

3)     Bird (1988) – Jazz aficionado Clint Eastwood expressed his passion for this uniquely American art form by making this experimental, superbly realized bio of legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker. Forest Whitaker is astounding in a lead portrayal that won him the Best Actor award at Cannes … and no love from Oscar.

4)     Ed Wood (1994) – Who says biopics have to be about the greatest in their field? Of course, greatness is in the eye of the beholder, and director Tim Burton and star Johnny Depp find a kindred spirit in Ed Wood, the so-called “worst director of all time.”

5)     Elizabeth (1998) – “I am no man’s Elizabeth!” Cate Blanchett rocketed to fame with her blistering portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I. Nearly a decade later, Blanchett scored a controversial Oscar nod for her second depiction of the queen in Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

6)     Kinsey (2004) – This woefully underrated biopic stars Liam Neeson as ‘50s sex researcher Alfred Kinsey. Neeson and Laura Linney (Oscar nominated as his wife) have great chemistry--aided by writer/director Bill Condon’s excellent screenplay, no doubt--and you'll find yourself astonished at how little things have changed in the last 50 years.

7)     Kundun (1997) – A box office bust—like several films on this list (Bird, Ed Wood, Kinsey)—it follows the Dalai Lama from birth to early adulthood. With zero star power, it’s one of Marty’s most overlooked films, but the cinematography ranks among the finest in a Scorsese film … and that’s saying a lot.

8)     Malcolm X (1992) – Three years after the sensational Do The Right Thing, Spike Lee nailed this biopic of legendary Civil Rights activist Malcolm X. Denzel Washington is so good in the lead role, it’s often hard to tell the difference between his speeches and archival footage of the real Malcolm.

9)     Ray (2004) –Jamie Foxx was a worthy Best Oscar winner for his portrayal of legendary pianist Ray Charles. As an overall film, it may be the weakest on this list, but there’s still plenty here to like, including director Taylor Hackford’s decision not to smooth over Charles’ rough edges (drugs, womanizing, selfishness).

10) Walk The Line (2005) – Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are top-notch, and even though I’m not a country fan in the least, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Of course, many would say that Johnny Cash isn’t your average country singer.

Hmm … only two picks from the ’80s. Maybe it’s time for me to revisit Sid & Nancy and The Last Emperor…

So, did your favorites make the list? Please post your comments on any oversights that left you more speechless than Chaplin.