Biopics
A notoriously difficult genre to do well, biopics nevertheless hold an enduring appeal. In addition to capturing a period of years, sometimes decades, in a scant few hours, they also extend the promise of real insight, and the possibility of knowing someone we otherwise would not. This week we offer some of our favorites.
12 Titles
Date Created: November 25, 2023
My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown
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My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown
Jim Sheridan
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1989
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Ireland, United Kingdom
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My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown
The true story of an Irishman born with cerebral palsy who learns to use his left foot to paint and write.
Critics:
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Users:
★
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- Ireland, United Kingdom · 1989
- Director: Jim Sheridan
- Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan, Declan Croghan, Eanna MacLiam
- Genre: Drama
- Available on: Amazon Video, Kanopy, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Hoopla, Apple TV
The Favourite
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The Favourite
Yorgos Lanthimos
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2019
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Ireland, United Kingdom, United States
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The Favourite
Two cousins compete viciously for the favor of their Queen.
Critics:
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Users:
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- Ireland, United Kingdom, United States · 2019
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Cast: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, Mark Gatiss
- Genre: Drama, History, Comedy
- Available on: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, YouTube, Google Play Movies
La Vie en Rose
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La Vie en Rose
Olivier Dahan
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2007
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France, United Kingdom, Czech Republic
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La Vie en Rose (La Môme)
The extraordinary story of Edith Piaf, a singer and icon
Critics:
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Users:
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- France, United Kingdom, Czech Republic · 2007
- Director: Olivier Dahan
- Cast: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner, Jean-Paul Rouve, Gérard Depardieu
- Genre: Drama, Music
- Available on: Fandango At Home, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Jacquot de Nantes
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Jacquot de Nantes
Agnès Varda
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1991
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France
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Jacquot de Nantes
The origins of artist Jacques Demy as shown through the lens of the inimitable Agnès Varda.
Users:
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- France · 1991
- Director: Agnès Varda
- Cast: Philippe Maron, Edouard Joubeaud, Laurent Monnier, Brigitte De Villepoix, Daniel Dublet, Clément Delaroche
- Genre: Drama
- Available on: Criterion Channel
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Julian Schnabel
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2007
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France, United States
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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Le scaphandre et le papillon)
The true story of a man who suffered a stroke that paralyzed his entire body except for his left eye.
Critics:
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Users:
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- France, United States · 2007
- Director: Julian Schnabel
- Cast: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny, Patrick Chesnais, Niels Arestrup
- Genre: Drama
- Available on: Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Kanopy, Apple TV, Hoopla, Google Play Movies
Gandhi
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Gandhi
Richard Attenborough
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1982
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United Kingdom, India, United States
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Gandhi
His triumph changed the world forever.
Critics:
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Users:
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- United Kingdom, India, United States · 1982
- Director: Richard Attenborough
- Cast: Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, Rohini Hattangadi
- Genre: Drama, History
- Available on: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Lawrence of Arabia
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Lawrence of Arabia
David Lean
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1962
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United Kingdom
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Lawrence of Arabia
A Mighty Motion Picture Of Action And Adventure!
Critics:
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Users:
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- United Kingdom · 1962
- Director: David Lean
- Cast: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Omar Sharif, José Ferrer
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, History, War
- Available on: Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies
Persepolis
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Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi
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2007
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France, United States
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Persepolis
The downfall of the Iranian Shah is just the start of Marjane Satrapi's struggle for freedom and belonging.
Critics:
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Users:
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- France, United States · 2007
- Director: Marjane Satrapi
- Cast: Chiara Mastroianni, Danielle Darrieux, Catherine Deneuve, Simon Abkarian, Gabrielle Lopes Benites, François Jerosme
- Genre: Animation, Drama
- Available on: Spectrum On Demand, Amazon Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Google Play Movies
The Last Emperor
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The Last Emperor
Bernardo Bertolucci
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1987
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United Kingdom, Italy, China
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The Last Emperor
The last Emperor of China is subjugated after Japanese invasion.
Critics:
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Users:
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- United Kingdom, Italy, China, France · 1987
- Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
- Cast: John Lone, Peter O'Toole, Joan Chen, Vivian Wu, Dennis Dun, Ruocheng Ying
- Genre: Drama, History
- Available on: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV Channel, HBO Max, Criterion Channel, Amazon Video
Napoleon
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Napoleon
Abel Gance
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1927
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France
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Napoleon (Napoléon)
Users:
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- France · 1927
- Director: Abel Gance
- Cast: Albert Dieudonné, Nicolas Roudenko, Edmond van Daële, Alexandre Koubitzky, Antonin Artaud, Abel Gance, Gina Manès, Nicolas Koline, Annabella, Marguerite Gance
- Genre: Drama, History, War
- Available on: Darkroom, The Roku Channel
The Motorcycle Diaries
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The Motorcycle Diaries
Walter Salles
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2004
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Argentina, United States, Chile
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The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta)
Before he changed the world, the world changed him.
Critics:
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Users:
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- Argentina, United States, Chile, Peru, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany, France · 2004
- Director: Walter Salles
- Cast: Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mercedes Morán, Mía Maestro, Jean Pierre Noher
- Genre: Drama
- Available on: YouTube, Fandango At Home, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video
Little Girl
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Little Girl
Sébastien Lifshitz
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2020
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France, Denmark
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Little Girl (Petite fille)
A documentary portrait of eight year-old Sasha, currently questioning her gender identity and dealing with (oftentimes negative) societal reactions.
Critics:
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Users:
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- France, Denmark · 2020
- Director: Sébastien Lifshitz
- Genre: Documentary
- Available on: Plex Channel, Amazon Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango at Home Free, Hoopla, Plex, Kanopy, Fandango At Home, Google Play Movies, Fawesome, JustWatch TV, Tubi TV