11 Awesome Films About Music
To horribly misquote the Russian playwright Anton Chechov: “Cinema is my wife, but music is my mistress that I have all the kinky sex with”. Even though I have chosen to dedicate my life to movies, I am still unashamedly in love with music. So when the two come together in a way that enhances both, I am basically in heaven. My first idea was to make a list of the best music films, but after a little research I found that I had seen far too little of them to make any such claims. So instead of a top list, here are 11 films with a central role for music that are just plain awesome. In no particular order:
Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same
Every kids who grew his hair out it high school pledged allegiance to Led Zeppelin, for the simple reason that no-one ever rocked any harder. Plus, they based songs on The Lord of the Rings, thereby proving once and for all that nerds are totally awesome. The Song Remains the Same consists mostly out of concert footage, which is awesome all by itself. But during some of the songs “dream sequences” are played where the band members act out the music in a sort of primitive music video. If just Led Zeppelin playing wasn’t enough awesome for you, the dream sequences look like Robert Plant walks through a variety of Magic: The Gathering Cards with a fucking claymore. It’s so insanely bad and awesome at the same time that the only logical response to it is banging your head even harder.
Control
Joy Division were hardly a cheerful lot, but their music has a subtle poetry about it. It doesn’t take inspiration from great art or grand emotions, but instead just looks at the drab misery of everyday life in shitty English towns and takes its inspiration from that. Control, made by famous rock photographer Anton Corbijn, translates this into gorgeous black-and-white shots of nothing much at all. Its a sombre tale of a sombre man, but it manages to stay unique by sidestepping the usual drug-fueled downfall that characterizes so many biopics of rock stars. It is never made clear what exactly pushed Ian Curtis over the edge, but you’ll certainly be able to understand it.
Superstar/Velvet Goldmine/I’m Not There
Okay, so these are really three films, and aside from their director have very little in common. Sue me. I paired these together because these are the movies for the genuine connoisseurs. Even though your enjoyment of almost every movie on this list will have something to do with how much you like the music in it, there is simply no chance in hell that you’ll ever make heads or tails of any of these without being completely engrossed in the music, the artists and the context. That said, if you can pull that off it’s damn near a religious experience to watch these.
The Last Waltz
The Band played for the last time. Bob Dylan, Neils Young and Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton and an assload of other people showed up to play a song. Martin Scorcese filmed. ‘Nuf said.
The Wall
Pink Floyd’s famous album The Wall might be the most intensely sad piece of music ever to receive major airplay, and the movie goes the extra mile. It perfectly captures its dark tone and themes of utter despair in the face of a world that genuine doesn’t give a shit. Listening to the music is already quite an ordeal, and the movie only makes it worse. It cuts hard, and it cuts deep. That said, it does so magnificently, and if you’re willing to subject yourself to it you won’t soon forget it.
Almost Famous
I once started a review of this movie with the words “Why the fuck aren’t more movies like this made?”. It still stands on solitary ground as the best combination of coming-0f-age drama and music film ever, which is actually quite strange considering how elemental music is in pretty much everyone’s maturation process. It’s an absolutely lovely movie, and everyone who can remember what it’s like to be 14 is sort of required to see this before they forget.
This is Spinal Tap
The mother of all rock movies. The escapades of the loudest dimwits in Rock ‘n’ Roll have captured the hearts of music fans ever since it came out, and it remains hilarious to this very day. The “up to eleven” sequence has become the stuff of legend (see also: this list), but it’s the moment that the mellow bassist describes his role in between the temperamental guitarist and singer of the band that always stuck to me most: ”David and Nigel are like poets, you know, like Shelley or Byron, or people like that. The two totally distinct types of visionaries, it’s like fire and ice, and I feel my role in the band is to be kind of the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water.” Sheer poetry.
Amadeus
The movie that made classical music cool, in a decade that desperately needed some decent music (I sort of hate the eighties). Sure, it might not all be technically true, but fans of Mozart really shouldn’t complain about a movie that put their idol in the spotlight for the first time in 200 years.
No Direction Home
There is only so much you can do in a documentary with just talking heads, old pictures and bits of music, but this movie does it all. It gives an unique insight in the life of one of rocks most enigmatic figures, Bob Dylan. As far as any factual information about him can ever grant a genuine insight, this movie does it. It’s an ideal introduction to the life and music of the man, and a simple must-watch for fans.
Yellow Submarine
The other Beatles films haven’t aged particularly well, but this one just elevates the already stellar music to a completely new level of awesomeness. The movie was made in a time where just stamping the name “Beatles” onto something was guaranteed to at least make it’s profits back, and when the Beatles themselves decided they didn’t really care it left the makers in the unique position of almost complete creative freedom with the certainty that it would be a hit. They used it to the full extend, and made a movie that is as the same time batshit bonkers and insanely happymaking. I don’t care if that’s not a word.
The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers recently got the official papal seal of approval. This would make almost every movie a little more boring, but makes this one even more wicked. But that is mostly because the mental image of the pope (hat & cane & all) watching this movie is just too funny for words. It’s funny, over-the-top and has one of the best soundtracks ever. Plus, it introduced the world to the best Halloween costumes for a lazy bromance ever.
Notable mentions: A Prairie Home Companion, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, Across the Universe
Any thoughts on these movies? What are other movies about music that you love? Let it be known below!
Max
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40 Comments
I think “Once” is one of the better films about music. Every time I watch it, it makes me want to make a record.
Agreed one hundred percent. Once is one of the best movies about music of the last decade and definitely deserves a mention here.
I’ll throw in my two cents for Anvil! The Story of Anvil, too. Absolutely amazing.
Risking crucifiction, I didn’t really like Once. I thought it was a little too bleak.
Haha, that’s one of the things I loved about it. To each his own.
I totally understand why you wouldn’t like it. It isn’t for everyone. But for me, it was brilliant. Not your typical film. So raw, so real. I love the bleakness, it makes it so anti-hollywood.
Once isn’t really bleak, even if the movie doesn’t end on the note we expect it to; it’s hopeful and says a lot of optimistic things about He and She and their respective lives going forward from their time together. It’s bittersweet, I think.
Also agreed on Once. that movie gets me every time. Rarely do I ever look forward to documentaries, mainly because I’m not sure how to judge them, but The Swell Season documentary coming out later this year is right up there with the likes of Melancholia as far as anticipation goes.
WHERE IS WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT AND RAY??????
Haven’t seen either. This is not a definitive list, eh.
‘What’s Love’ is one of those movies I love, but I have to watch with my hands over my eyes half the time…
And as long as we’re on this wavelength, let’s add ‘Purple Rain’ to the mix.
“Once” and “Prairie Home Companion” are both fantastic non-musical musicals. And personally I prefer “Monterey Pop” to “The Last Waltz”. I agree with you 150% on “Almost Famous”: Why the fuck aren’t more movies like that made?
I need to revisit “Control”. I think I would have a better appreciation of it nowadays compared to when it first came out. I’m still kinda shocked that Sam Riley’s career hasn’t taken off by now, though.
Of the ones mentioned, “Almost Famous” is probably my favorite, while “I’m Not There” had me completely lost.
Yeah, I’m pretty solitary in my reverence for I’m Not There. But if you understand what’s going on, it’s genuinely masterful.
Good choices. I would also include Alex Pryoas’ minor but fun Garage Days, the Woodstock documentary of course as well as Scorses’ recent Stones doc Shine a Light and since we are on the Stones how about Gimmie Shelter as well.
Great topic and a briliant list! Others to consider:
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, ROCKSTAR, LA VIE EN ROSE, RAY, BEYOND THE SEA, WALK THE LINE, LA BAMBA, RAY, COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER, THE PIANIST, HUSTLE AND FLOW
…and for comedy’s sake WALK HARD.
I would consider The Pianist a war film. A damn, damn, DAMN good one.
I though Ingmar Bergman said the Chekhov quote, but with theatre and cinema.
Control is under ‘musical’ in iMDb. I think Andrew Dowler from NOW said that Corbijn was being derivative of his own music videos while making the movie, which I’m not complaining. Also, I can’t believe Rebecca Hall is the most employed actor in that cast, although she is good.
Wait a minute. Why “Control”? I like that film but I much prefer “24 Hour Party People”. Not only because of my love for Joy Division, it’s because it introduced me to the Happy Mondays. I would put that along with “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”, “Once”, “Purple Rain”, and some recent docs about some kick ass bands. “Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage”, “Foo Fighters: Back & Forth”, and “Anvil! The Story of Anvil”. I would also put the Sex Pistols documentary “The Filth & the Fury”, the Clash’s “Westway to the World”, and “Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten”
If you don’t think those movies are cool. I will fight you to the death!!!!
Of those, I have only seen Once. And I didn’t really like that one.
So yeah.
Glad to see even more love for Anvil! The Story of Anvil. Way, way underseen movie.
I’d put Immortal Beloved over Amadeus any day of the week.
Still, top list! I absolutely agree with Spinal Tap, Blues Brothers and Almost Famous.
Not sure it should top Amadeus, but I LOVE Immortal Beloved. It’s too bad more people haven’t seen that film.
Great list Max!
I’m a big Dylan fan myself, so I’m Not There, The Last Waltz (amazing performance by Van Morrison in that one by the way) and No Direction Home are tops on my list as well.
As to Almost Famous, one of the most re-watchable films for me. Feels like I’m compelled to watch that movie at least once every year, for whatever reason, and it’s good every time. I’m from San Diego, so I love that it features at least partly in this film.
Great choices!
I love The Wall, one of my all time favourites…
In fact, a lot of these films are my favourites, The Blues Brothers, Amadeus, Spinal Tap, all amazing films.
You’ve got me interested in The Song Remains The Same and The Last Waltz, I’ll try and find them…
I feel somewhat ashamed of the fact that I haven’t seen as many of these films as I should have. Especially since I consider myself a huge music fanatic. “Almost Famous” is probably the best conventional film about music. I am a huge fan of Todd Haynes, once again, “I’m Not There” isn’t for everyone, but Haynes sticks to his guns. He finds a style and stays faithful to it. For me, it is more of a interpretative piece of art more than anything. It is almost like visual poetry, and I think it stimulates many of our senses. But I think it means more to Dylan fans, who already have a decent understanding of his life. I love the cast, and how each of them brings something unique to their interpretations.
Also, I keep forgetting to say that I really love the idea of this post. I think it is definitely an interesting genre to take a look at, and one that deserves a lot more attention than most would give credit.
Agree that if you are fan of Dylan you appreciate “I’m Not There” that much more. It’s a fine piece of work.
I found What We Do Is Secret fairly entertaining, for all it’s boistering.
I saw that. I like the Germs but I didn’t buy Shane West as Darby Crash at all. I liked Rick Gonzalez and Bijou Phillips but I couldn’t get into the story. I found some of the dramatic elements to be overdone which is often an issue I have with music bio-pics.
Yeah, the whole thing just felt like a lot of film school graduates playing dress up, but the theatrics were mildly amusing, and the final montage was slightly moving.
I disagree. I thought the casting sounded odd, but after seeing the movie and watching the making of, it all made sense. I had no idea Shane West was such a big Germs fan, or that he was paramount in getting the movie made.
Great list! Thanks for putting The Blues Brothers. I don’t think that flick gets the respect it deserves. As soon as I finish this comment I’m going straight to my Netflix list to add Control. Duh, I never heard of this film even though I listened to all that depressing music back in the day and hung out with the goths! I will take you to task for not including Purple Rain, best film for showing sort of the underbelly for female groups being exploited and freaky Prince trying to break out of a cycle of abuse.
Given my well documented apathy towards music, I’m cautiously proud of my four out of eleven. Granted I’ve only seen the obvious big ones – Spinal Tap, Almost Famous, Amadeus, and Blues brothers – so I can’t exactly claim any level of excellence in that regard. However, I do intend on seeing most of these one day or another. Nice list Max.
That’s a lot better than my 1 out of 11 (Almost Famous)
I do appreciate that Max didn’t go and make a list full of obvious choices though.
No “Once”?
I think it’s one of the best movie about capturing the artistic process. Plus, best soundtrack of the last decade.
Loved Once! I need to see it again…
Some great choices above, Control and The Wall, great stuff!
A few titles I might add to the conversation:
I’m your man (2005), about leonard cohen, one of the best docs about a musician I’ve seen.
The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005), really was powerful and memorable. Got me interested in Daniel Johnston’s music!
In both cases, what I liked was how you get to see the man behind the music.
And Moonwalker (1987) is a guilty pleasure, the story was hopeless, the dancing and music great.
Jonathan Demme directed a highly rated concert film on Talking Heads called Stop Making Sense (1984), although I haven’t watched yet.
Fun list! I would add “That Thing Called Love” and “Nashville” to the list. I’ve already shared my support for “Immortal Beloved” and “What We Do Is Secret”
Awesome list! Almost Famous is one of my all-time favorite movies, and The Song That Remains The Same is what made me a Zeppelin fan. I see that someone else mentioned them in the comments, but I also recommend checking out 24 Hour Party People and Anvil.
Nice list! I’ve heard great things about Amadeus and The Blues Brothers. Another one I’d add to the list would be Mr. Holland’s Opus.
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