When viewers watch biopics, the first thing they notice is how close the actors are to their models. Studio decisions are seldom common with moviegoers. After all, there will still be critics who will condemn actors.
In films like these, we believe that the actor’s presence doesn’t matter all that much. What matters most is how good he or she is, for even the best makeup can’t hide poor acting. And the actors in today’s collection did a fantastic job.
Naomi Lapaglia (Nadine Macaluso) — Margot Robbie
The Wolf of Wall Street is a film about an American stockbroker named Jordan Belfort. Leonardo DiCaprio plays the leading role in the film, and Naomi Lapaglia, played by Margot Robbie, is one of the central characters. Belfort’s wife’s name was changed. Nadine Macaluso is the real woman, and she works as a marriage consultant.
Donald and Clare Crowhurst — Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz
The Mercy is based on a true storey about a British businessman named Donald Crowhurst who was on the brink of bankruptcy and decided to join a round-the-world yacht race to save his company. Colin Firth played the leading role in the film, and Rachel Weisz played his wife.
Marie Colvin — Rosamund Pike
A Private War is a film about one of the most well-known war correspondents, English journalist Marie Colvin, who went to war zones over and over to say the truth. Jamie Dornan and Stanley Tucci both played significant roles in the film, with Rosamund Pike taking the lead.
Saroo Brierley — Dev Patel
Lion is a biography of an Indian boy named Saroo who went missing at the age of five and was adopted by an Australian couple. And so, 20 years later, he decides to start looking for his biological family.
Elizabeth Gilbert — Julia Roberts
Eat, Pray, Love is a screen adaptation of American author Elizabeth Gilbert’s autobiography of the same name. The main character has almost everything you might possibly want, but one day she chooses to make a complete 180-degree turn in her life and embarks on a quest to discover more about herself. The film stars a slew of big names, including Julia Roberts, who won an Oscar for her performance in the lead role.
Margaret Keane — Amy Adams
Big Eyes is based on the true storey of Margaret Keane, an American artist who had a tumultuous relationship with her husband, who took credit for her work. Amy Adams played the lead role in the film.
John Gotti — John Travolta
Gotti, a biographical drama starring John Travolta, tells the storey of John Gotti, a New York gangster, and his transformation from a common criminal to a mafia boss.
Gretchen Carlson — Nicole Kidman
Bombshell is a film about three female Fox News employees who banded together to fight sexism and discrimination. Nicole Kidman played journalist Gretchen Carlson, who was one of the main characters in the film.
Chris Gardner — Will Smith
The Pursuit of Happiness is a film set at the start of the 1980s. Chris Gardner, a single parent, loses all he owns and is offered a six-month unpaid internship at a major corporation. The family has to move around to various shelters while waiting for the results of his job, but the internship will change their lives forever. Will Smith plays the lead role, and his son Jaden plays Gardner’s son.
Katharine Gun — Keira Knightley
Official Secrets tells the storey of Katharine Gun, a British translator who challenges the system by sending a letter to the press containing sensitive information, putting her life in danger. Keira Knightley plays the lead role, and she is accompanied by Ralph Fiennes.
Ruth Ginsburg — Felicity Jones
Ruth Ginsburg, the second female judge in the history of the United States Supreme Court, is the subject of the film On the Basis of Sex, which stars Felicity Jones. Her fight for equal rights for men and women is the subject of the film.
Temple Grandin — Claire Danes
Temple Grandin is a biopic about an autistic woman, professor, and scientist who rose to become one of agriculture’s most illustrious experts. Claire Danes’ role in the film won her an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Are you a fan of biopics? What do you think it means for an actor to look like the person he or she is portraying?
Preview photo credit Dr. Nadine Macaluso, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist / Facebook, Image supplied by Capital Pictures / East News
