Of all popular, formulaic Hollywood movies, music biopics tend to be the most tiresome and played out. What makes them more strange is that they follow the formula of a decade-old spoof: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
I’m getting tired of music biopics. There are so many that follow the same formula and tired tropes, it almost verges on the idea of “seen one, seen ’em all.” They’re also rather tame considering the lives of some of the subjects, such as Freddie Mercury or Elvis Presley. Aside from the music, there’s nothing really substantial about these movies.
Now, this opinion isn’t anything new or unique. Many people have expressed this sentiment, but nothing to the same degree superhero fatigue today. However, I’m basing my opinion off of one movie… Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. It is a spoof biopic about the fictional Dewey Cox, made a full decade before Bohemian Rhapsody.
Who is Dewey Cox?
This 2007 comedy is a spoof of music biopics like Walk the Line. It has almost the same story beats, but exaggerated to such a comedic and cartoonish degree. The label producer doesn’t like his music at first. His first wife is cold and uncaring. And, even though his life was riddled with substance abuse and infidelity, it’s alright in the end.
Although its critical and commercial reception wasn’t that great upon release, it has endured as a cult comedy classic. And, rightfully so. With John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer as the headliners, and a number of cameos of famous musicians, it’s a star-studded watch. It’s also pretty damn funny, especially if you know your music history. Just watch the “smoking reefer” scene to see what I mean.
Why Was This Made?
Considering how many music biopics are made now, you could make the argument that they’re more deserving a spoof now than in 2007. Why was this spoof made all the way back in 2007 – eleven years before Bohemian Rhapsody? I got two reasons!
First, this was a mid-2000’s comedy move. This dumb, edgy comedy movies of their time like 40-Year-Old Virgin and Step-Brothers were all big hits. It was also the last decade before spoofs and parodies were still relevant in theaters. Remember Scary Movie 5? Exactly.
Second, there were still a number of music biopics made before this. I already mentioned Walk the Line, but we can’t forget about Ray. There was also The Doors, La Bamba, The Buddy Holly Story, and Amadeus – which won eight Oscars! The difference was that these weren’t made to be blockbusters, or money-makers.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a Comedy
I 100% blame Bohemian Rhapsody for our recent trend of music biopics in theaters. It grossed just short of a billion dollars, and won four oscars. It was even nominated for best picture! After that hit, soon would come other biopics like Rocketman, Elvis, The Dirt, and some more recent ones like One and Bob Marley: One Love.
However, in all honesty, Bohemian Rhapsody isn’t that spectacular. It’s kind of a textbook definition of mid. Yes, Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury was good, but there’s some problems with this movie. Everybody knows about the terrible editing and the criminal director, but the story also doesn’t work. It goes through way too much history so we barely know the characters, and all the clichés are present.
There are honestly some moments in the film that feel like recreations of scenes from Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Every time Freddie gets inspired for a musical line, I think about Dewey coming up with a song and looking off into the distance. This biographic tribute to Queen and Freddie Mercury should not feel like a parody.
Alternatives for the Biopic
Now, with everything previously said, a biopic doesn’t have to be formulaic and bad. I rather like Ray, I get a guilty pleasure out of watching Elvis, but mostly for the cringe. However, there has to be some form of uniqueness to it, some difference from the rest to show why a certain musical artist is unique.
Take Love and Mercy, a Beach Boys biopic that focuses on the band’s leader Brian Wilson. Rather than going over the entire band’s career, it focuses on two moments: the creation of Pet Sounds, and later Brian’s escape from his abusive therapist. By weaving in and out of both narratives, we get a much better sense of identity of who Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys is.
There’s also the experimental I’m Not There, a sort-of Bob Dylan biopic. It tells different parts of Bob Dylan’s life through six different actors and filming styles. It switches in narrative like a song changes its chords. And, while it may not be a concrete depiction of the man, we get the illusion and idea of the different parts in his life.
How to Avoid Looking Like a Parody
Above all, I think the best thing for music biopics would be to avoid the formula at any cost. Walk Hard: A Dewey Cox Story is almost two decades old, and some filmmakers still haven’t learned the lesson. They all start to become so similar, and all looking like a parody. Not a good look at all.
Some alternatives would be to focus on a specific point in the character’s life. It may not be a complete picture, but it’d be more a more accurate and intimate image of the character. There is again the experimental route, perhaps even making a connection with the artist’s work.
As of now, I do not hold that much interest in many music biopics made today. It’s a sad thing for me really. I love music as much as I love film, and I would love the stories of some artists. I want their story, not another Dewey Cox story.
