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Unlike the many generic biopics that have been made about Elvis, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and other musicians, Maestro stands out as a passion project created by an actor/director who is willing to take risks with the film’s style and structure. This portrayal of composer Leonard Bernstein as a charismatic but self-centered jerk with a shy smile and open bisexuality adds depth to the story and makes his genius and ordinary human flaws relatable, instead of just focusing on the more formal aspects of his life.
Furthermore, it leaves us yearning for further examinations of musicians coupled with dedicated actors. In Maestro, Cooper not only delivers his most impressive performance to date but also elevates himself as an actor, writer, and director. With this in mind, we recommend five other musicians who deserve to have their narratives shared.
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt was not a typical singer-actor. She was a powerful vocalist who appeared in the musical Carib Song and had successful songs such as C’est Si Bon and Santa Baby. She also played the iconic role of Catwoman on the 1967 TV show Batman, which transformed the image of the femme fatale for many. Orson Welles praised her as the most captivating woman in the world. She was versatile, effortlessly transitioning from Broadway seductress to sultry singer to Batman’s coolest enemy. As a black icon, she persevered and excelled in a time when individuals from her background faced many challenges.
Suggested star: Zendaya. Suggested director: Barry Jenkins
Saul Williams
Saul Williams is a highly acclaimed poet and alternative rapper who has made a significant impact in the 21st century. He was a pioneer of avant-garde rap, which challenged the norms of mainstream hip-hop. Williams fearlessly addresses taboo topics and critiques the music industry and popular culture. A potential biopic could focus on his 2007 album The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!, which foreshadowed the fusion of punk, noise, and hip-hop seen in today’s artists like Kodak Black and Lil Uzi Vert. Williams’s daring choices in the mid-2000s played a crucial role in shaping the modern sound and ethos of hip-hop. His unapologetic queerness, outspokenness on social issues, and refusal to conform to traditional hip-hop standards make him an ideal artist to honor and celebrate.
Suggested star: LaKeith Stanfield. Suggested director: Boots Riley
Nick Cave
Cave’s wispy slink of a build, dapper three-piece suits and exploding tussle of hair, distil the punk spirit of the singer-songwriter’s career, from the early days in post-punk band the Birthday Party to his current work as a film composer (with Warren Ellis) for titles such as The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Road, and Hell or High Water.
Suggested star: Ben Whishaw. Suggested director: Anton Corbijn
Aaliyah
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There have been previous films made in the 1990s that focused on the lives of famous hip-hop artists such as Notorious BIG and NWA, however Aaliyah’s story should also be given the chance to be portrayed on the silver screen. Towards the end of her brief life (she passed away in 2001 at the age of 22 in a tragic plane crash), she ventured into the world of acting and landed lead roles in Queen of the Damned and Romeo Must Die. A biographical film could highlight Aaliyah’s resilience and determination, as well as her troubling marriage to the now-infamous R Kelly when she was only 15 years old.
Suggested star: Teyana Taylor. Suggested director: Julia Ducournau
Philip Glass
After Cooper revived orchestral music as a viable art form for adaptation, there may be potential for further exploration towards the outskirts. Glass, a prominent figure in the 70s and 80s NYC avant-garde music scene, was known for collaborating with painters, conceptual artists, and writers. Although not as popular or well-known as Bernstein, Glass has been a highly influential composer in the US for the past 50 years. His style differs greatly from Bernstein’s, with Bernstein’s scores being lively and suited for choreographed dance while Glass’s work is best experienced with closed eyes and an open mind.
For Glass, the absence of performance is just as important as what is actually performed. He is famously known for using his art to play with the concepts of time, repetition, and performance in works like his opera Einstein on the Beach and film scores such as The Hours and Koyaanisqatsi.
Suggested star: Adrien Brody. Suggested director: Julian Schnabel
Source: theguardian.com
