Top 10 Movie Biopics You Forgot Were AWESOME

#10: “Eddie the Eagle” (2015)

In the grand scheme of sports history, Michael “Eddie” Edwards is merely a footnote. But this retelling of the ski jumper’s showcase at the 1988 Winter Olympics does him justice through its fittingly small-scale portait. Starring Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman, “Eddie the Eagle” never deigns to treat Eddie as a game changer, and instead heralds him as the feel-good underdog he was. At its core, it’s an unabashedly sweet film about the value of trying your best, and Egerton’s bubbly performance is enough to make anyone cheer for someone who comes in last. It’s the kind of family-friendly sports flick that cares less about winning or losing than it does celebrating the best ways to play the game.

#9: “Love & Mercy” (2014)

“Love & Mercy” was not the first film to treat talent as both a gift and a curse. But it may be one of the most intentional through its use of two different times, and two different actors, to capture the essence of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson. Paul Dano plays the younger Wilson during the production of “Pet Sounds,” while John Cusack keeps pace as an older Wilson stuck under the thumb of his abusive therapist. At once, “Love & Mercy” shows us an imaginative artist at the top of his game and a misunderstood soul desperately searching for a way to control his thoughts. What’s most impressive is how it manages these transitions quickly without ever coming across as off-putting or insensitive.

#8: “Control” (2007)

A darker take on the tragedies that inspire musical genius, “Control” captures the all-too-brief life of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis. Shot in color and then printed in crisp black and white, the movie’s imagery deliberately taps into the musician’s troubled state of mind as his success coincides with numerous personal struggles. The same can be said of Sam Riley’s mesmerizing performance as Curtis, as he channels the singer’s hypnotic voice and manic stage presence while reminding us of the thoughts that plague him. It’s a haunting study of someone unable to reconcile their emerging brilliance and the demons that keep them from reaching their full potential. And while “Control” is by no means easy viewing, that’s precisely what makes it true to Curtis’ legacy.

#7: “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” (1988)

Much like its subject, this energetic film from director Francis Ford Coppola has gotten lost in the shuffle of history. And that’s genuinely a shame, as “Tucker: The Man and His Dream”' radiates a warm, nostalgic tone that’s easy to get lost in. Not to mention, Jeff Bridges is at his most charming and spirited as automotive entrepreneur Preston Tucker, who strives to build the car of tomorrow and compete with the Midwest’s biggest manufacturers. He’s so convincing and likeable in the role that we wish the Tucker 48 was good enough to succeed. But even though he’s destined to come up short, the movie embodies all of the brightest virtues of an American dream that continues to inspire others to follow in Tucker’s footsteps.

#6: “First Man” (2018)

Considering it portrays a pivotal moment in history, the most surprising strength of “First Man” is how quiet and intimate it is. While it possesses the out-of-this-world suspense of its forebears, like “Apollo 13” and “The Right Stuff,” its protagonist’s heroism is of a different sort. Rather than dress up Neil Armstrong’s accomplishments for sentimental or patriotic purposes, Ryan Gosling commits to portraying the astronaut’s quiet, reserved composure. “First Man” doesn’t shy away from reveling in the significance of the moon landing. But Armstrong’s victory pertains less to mankind’s giant leap and more to the steps he’s taken to come to terms with his past. It may sound like unconventional storytelling, but the lack of traditional heroism is how the movie retains its authenticity.

#5: “American Splendor” (2003)

Famous authors and their iconic works have naturally lent themselves to biopics about the writing process. The same can’t necessarily be said for comic writers, but “American Splendor” gives one such personality his due. Following Harvey Pekar as he develops the eponymous comic series about his life in Cleveland, the movie boldly blurs the line between fiction, animation, and documentary. Its divergence from biopic norms is such that the real-life Pekar frequently drops in to narrate and comment on the movie itself. Even so, “American Splendor” never overwhelms itself with these storytelling flourishes. It’s a simple story told in a way that’s far from simplistic, but Paul Giamatti keeps everything grounded as a man searching for meaning in an ordinary life.

#4: “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (2007)

With a title like that, you may think you know what you’re getting. But this epic Western takes that perception and flips it on its head. Clocking in at nearly three hours, its slow pace and weighty themes may sound like a turn-off for those expecting a more traditional outlaw shoot-em-up. But don’t misunderstand: this is an impeccably crafted slice of American history with gorgeous cinematography and mind-blowing performances from Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. Both men blur the line between hero and villain, and their fraught relationship provides a fascinating look at America’s obsession with fame and the toxicity it inspires. Not even the inevitability of its final act prevents “Jesse James” from adding new layers to an often repetitive genre.

#3: “Ed Wood” (1994)

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have never found an eccentric outcast not worth humanizing, and this may be their most revelatory example. “Ed Wood” zeroes in on the infamously untalented director as he attempts to make a name for himself with his band of filmmaking misfits, including “Dracula” star Bela Lugosi. Martin Landau won a well-deserved Oscar as the washed-up actor, but his performance is merely one aspect of the movie’s loving portrayal of dreamers chasing the impossible. Encompassing Burton’s underdog status to a T, it’s a stirring tribute to the optimism required to keep trying, no matter how hard things get. They say that history is written by the victors, but “Ed Wood” triumphantly shows us that even losers have a story worth telling.

#2: “Man on the Moon” (1999)

It takes an unpredictable man to play an unpredictable man. That’s what Jim Carrey understood by agreeing to play enigmatic comedian Andy Kaufman in “Man on the Moon”. It’s hard not to view Kaufman as an influence on Carrey, making the actor’s ability to channel the comic’s spirit all the more startling. Infamously staying in character throughout filming, he gives the impression that things could fly off the rails. And yet, the movie’s power rests on Carrey’s miraculous ability to keep things in check, drawing on his surprising dramatic chops to portray Kaufman’s low points. And, given Kaufman’s tendency to perplex an audience, “Man on the Moon” succeeds due to the questions it leaves us asking about him rather than the answers it could’ve provided.

#1: “I’m Not There” (2007)

If Timothée Chalamet painted Bob Dylan as “a complete unknown,” then this ensemble drama goes even further. Six different actors come together in “I’m Not There,” an experimental rendering of the folk icon in which each performance explores a different aspect of his life and career. The likes of Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Cate Blanchett do their part to shatter any notion of conventionality. It’s the kind of film with enough intelligence to understand that Dylan is too complicated to explore in a straightforward manner, and thus makes no attempt to try. “I’m Not There” is better off and then some for its defiant, nonlinear structure, reaching a far deeper understanding of its subject’s artistry than almost any other biopic out there.

Is there a biopic you think deserves more credit? Is there one you think could’ve done a better job? Be sure to let us know down in the comments!