Biopics, or biographical films, have long been a Hollywood staple, often vying for top honors during awards season. When done well, they resonate deeply, capturing the essence of a person’s life and times. However, for every successful biopic, several others stumble, missing the mark due to various issues.
Whether it’s poor casting choices, weak writing, or excessive artistic license, some biopics simply fail to do their subjects justice. Here’s a look at ten of the worst biopics that have graced our screens, or rather, disgraced the legacies of those they intended to honor.
1. The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000)
Audrey Hepburn is remembered for many things, from her iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to her tireless humanitarian work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. This film, however, disproportionately focuses on her Hollywood career, overshadowing other significant aspects of her life.
While Jennifer Love-Hewitt captures Hepburn’s physical appearance, she struggles to embody the poise and grace that defined Hepburn. The film glosses over major life events, leaving viewers with a shallow understanding of this remarkable woman.
2. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
This classic film romanticizes the relationship between Bonnie and Clyde, downplaying their violent tendencies. In reality, the duo is believed to have murdered at least nine police officers and four civilians. The film portrays their robberies as almost benevolent, targeting large banks when they actually preferred small shops and gas stations.
Despite its groundbreaking status in cinema history, Bonnie and Clyde simplifies the lives of its subjects and veers far from reality. Even Clyde’s sister-in-law, Blanche Barrow, admitted that she hardly recognized anything in the story.
3. The Runaways (2010)
With a film based on Cherie Currie’s autobiography and Joan Jett as an executive producer, one would expect a deeper exploration of The Runaways, one of the pioneering all-female rock bands of the 1970s. Instead, the film focuses primarily on the band’s manager, Kim Fowley.
While Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning attempt to embody Jett and Currie, their portrayals feel superficial. The other band members are largely ignored, diminishing the contributions of Sandy West and Lita Ford. The soundtrack might be the best part of this film; you’re better off just listening to The Runaways’ actual music.
4. Amelia (2009)
Despite a strong cast including Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart and Richard Gere as her husband, George P. Putnam, Amelia fails to take off. The film ticks all the boxes on the biopic checklist but feels stagnant and lifeless.
While most people know the story of Amelia Earhart, her optimism, ambition, and mysterious disappearance, this biopic barely scratches the surface. It doesn’t even acknowledge the protagonist’s tragic ending. Earhart’s story has the potential for an epic movie, but Amelia offers a lukewarm attempt that doesn’t do her justice.
5. Liz and Dick (2012)
Chronicling the highly publicized and scandalous relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Liz and Dick should have been as grand as the stars it portrayed. Instead, it presents their relationship as a series of disjointed arguments across a confusing timeline.
Lindsay Lohan struggles to capture the essence of Elizabeth Taylor, failing to convey the aura that surrounded the iconic actress. The film feels like a missed opportunity, as the story deserves a larger-than-life adaptation. Instead, viewers are left wanting a more authentic portrayal of this legendary couple.
6. The Greatest Showman (2017)
While P.T. Barnum might have enjoyed this flashy depiction of himself, The Greatest Showman glosses over the darker aspects of his career. The notion that his troupe was like a family is far from the truth.
Barnum’s first exhibit was Joice Heath, a black woman he claimed was the 161-year-old former nurse of George Washington. He leased her for a year, profiting from her exploitation. After her death, Barnum sold tickets to a live autopsy. Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Barnum focuses on his abandonment of his family, minimizing the extent of his exploitative behavior.
7. The Far Horizons (1955)
Deemed one of the most historically misleading films by Time Magazine, The Far Horizons unnecessarily fabricates the events of Lewis & Clark and Sacagawea. The real story of the Native American guide and interpreter helping the Western explorers could have made for an exciting adventure film on its own.
The fabricated love story between Sacagawea and William Clark diminishes Sacagawea, implying that a romantic relationship is necessary to add value to a female character. The miscasting of Donna Reed as Sacagawea, even for the 1950s, is appalling.
8. Diana (2013)
Naomi Watts herself regrets making this film about Princess Diana, which speaks volumes. While Watts dedicated herself to the role, the poor script distorts the events and presents a simplistic view of Diana’s life.
The film focuses on her romance with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan and neglects other major aspects of her life, such as her humanitarian work and relationships with Prince Charles and her children. The wooden script restricts the actors, and the only genuine moments come when they are not speaking.
9. The Conqueror (1956)
Casting John Wayne as Genghis Khan, the founder and first Emperor of the Mongolian Empire, was a major misstep. The dialogue was equally poor, with the writer attempting to give it an “archaic” flourish that ultimately failed.
The Conqueror is not historically accurate. The film depicts Khan abducting Börte when their marriage was actually arranged when he was nine and she was ten. Unlike Bonnie and Clyde, the lack of historical accuracy is not excused by a well-made picture; it fails on every level.
10. Nina (2016)
With a dismal 2% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Nina earns the top spot as the worst biopic. The casting of Zoe Saldana, an Afro-Latina of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, as Nina Simone sparked widespread controversy.
The film does a disservice to the High Priestess of Soul, portraying her primarily as an alcoholic who lost everything. Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, criticized the film for its inaccuracy. Instead of watching this biopic, learn about Nina Simone through the 2015 documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?
Creating a good biopic requires balancing historical accuracy with compelling storytelling. Sometimes, the true story is captivating enough without embellishments. It’s essential to capture the essence of the individual through thorough study, understanding their character inside and out.
Ultimately, a successful biopic is one that honors the subject’s legacy, rather than tarnishing it with inaccuracies and misrepresentations.
Which biopic do you think was the most inaccurate? Leave your comments below!
