Movies based on real peopleare a reminder of the gray area between real life and film. It can be an eerie experience to know that the characters depicted on the screen are living human beings who exist beyond the compressed 90 minutes of a film and are currently having real-life impacts even as the credits roll.
These films also act as a reflective medium to trace the beginnings of popular figures compared to the legacy they have at present. For example,The Social Networkexplains the apathy behind virtual communications at present through Zuckerberg’s insecurities depicted in the film. Here are 10 films based on people who still exist from various walks of life.
10Air (2023) - Sonny Vaccaro
Air (2023)
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Airreveals how the path-breaking partnership between basketball player Michael Jordan and Nike changed sports culture forever. The film is directed by Ben Affleck, who also plays Phil Knight, the co-founder and CEO of Nike.Airshowswhat went behind the making of the Air Jordan brand and how it changed Jordan’s career and Nike’s business, setting a benchmark for the relationship between corporations and players.
Why It’s a Must-Watch Film
The film has a star-studded cast involving Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, and Chris Tucker, all standing out for their powerful performances. Davis plays Jordan’s mother and was applauded for the intensity she brought to her character, who is protective of her son’s talents and legacy. Moreover, the film shines in its simplicity and is a seamless journey down memory lane.
Stream it on Prime Video
Related:10 Inspiring Movies About a Character Rebuilding Their Life
9The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) - Jordan Belfort
The Wolf of Wall Street
The Wolf of Wall Streetwas directed by Martin Scorsese and talks about the lavish life of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is based on the memoir written by Belfort, which recounts his adrenaline-induced life as a stockbroker in New York City and his downfall due to corruption, addiction, domestic violence, and fraudulent deals.
The film also stars Jonah Hill as Belfort’s business partner and friend, Donnie Azoff, and Margot Robbie in her career breakthrough performance as Belfort’s second wife.
The film is the fifth collaboration between DiCaprio and Scorsese and garnered immense critical acclaim and five Academy Award nominations.Belfort applauded the film’s accuracyin grasping the “overall feeling” of his erratic years and his friendship with Azoff. According to Belfort, the reality was much worse than shown in the film, and he was addicted to 22 different drugs at his lowest.
Stream it on Apple TV+
8The Disaster Artist (2017) - Tommy Wiseau
The Disaster Artist
The Disaster Artistgoes behind the making ofThe Room,notorious for being one of the worst films ever made. Actor James Franco directs the biographical comedy-drama, which tries to make sense of director Tommy Wiseau, and captures his passion for making the self-funded film, which is often listed among ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ films.’ The film does not mock Wiseau, played by Franco who also stars. Instead, it empathizes with failed filmmakers who are unable to make it in the industry despite being talented.
Franco is mainly known as a dramatic actor, and he impressed critics and audiences alike with his directorial debut. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance and was accompanied by the real Tommy Wiseau as he received the award. Wiseau also appears in the post-credits scene as a party-goer. The film’s irony lies in Tommy being confident in his craft and financially secure but lacking in “talent” when many filmmakers fail because of a lack of funds and support.
7Erin Brockovich (2000) - Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovichwasdirected by Steven Soderberg and stars Julia Roberts as the titular character. This biographical legal drama dramatizes the events when Brockovich investigated acover-up involving contaminated waterin a local community. Later, she initiated a legal case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for contaminating groundwater that negatively impacted the health of residents living near the plant.
Why it is a must-watch film
The film is entertaining even when it deals with a critical issue. Roberts characterizes Brockovich as a strong-spirited woman unafraid to use her charming appearance to win over men who belittle her.
The real-life Brockovich disagrees with intentionally charming men to put her case forward but agrees her physical attributes might have helped in her investigation. She added that the events shown in the film are “probably 98% accurate,” and she even appeared as a waitress in the film.Roberts won the Academy Awardfor Best Actor for her feisty portrayal of Erin, one of the most memorable performances in the actress’s filmography.
6Catch Me If You Can (2002) - Frank Abagnale Jr.
Catch Me If You Can
Catch Me If You Cantells the unbelievable story ofex-conman Frank Abagnale Jr., played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Steven Spielberg directs the film and adapts the screenplay from a semi-autobiographical book written by Abagnale. The film chronicles his days of conman mastery when he disguised himself as a doctor, a lawyer, and a co-pilot before he turned 18. After he successfully robs a bank at 17, FBI Agent Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks, startsa cat-and-mouse chasebetween the authorities and Frank.
DiCaprio was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance as the unethical but prodigal conman. The real-life Abagnale was not involved in the film but believed Spielberg was the only filmmaker who could do justice to his story.
The film not only focuses on Abagnale’s tricks but also provides insight into how broken families lead to delinquent behaviors in teenagers and how people were more trustworthy in the ‘60s.
5Lion (2016) - Saroo Brierly
Speaking of the online world,Liontells an equally riveting story. The film is based on the bookA Long Way Homeby Saroo Brierly, who was separated from his familyin Indiaand later adopted by an Australian couple. He uses Google Earth to search for his family 25 years later. The film was directed by Garth Davies andstarred Dev Patelas Saroo. The film is an extraordinary tale of memory, nostalgia, and searching for one’s home.
The film was a joint production between Australia and the United Kingdom and is one of the highest-grossing Australian films of all time, making $140 million worldwide. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Patel and Best Supporting Actress for Nicole Kidman, who played Saroo’s adoptive mother. In 2019, the real-life Saroo set out on another journey to search for his father, who abandoned his family when he was young.
4The Social Network (2010) - Mark Zuckerberg
The Social Network
David Fincher’sThe Social Networkgoes behind the tumultuous saga of Facebook. The film’s tagline explains it best: “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.” The film chronicles the making of Facebook from its shady conceptualization to its epic launch, with Jesse Eisenberg embodying Mark Zuckerberg. According to the film, Facebook was Mark’s way of coping with dejection and his inability to sustain his genuine relationships.
The film is based on the bookThe Accidental Billionaires,which looks at Facebook’s fiasco through the perspective of its co-founder, Eduardo Savarin. Eisenberg’s remarkable performance earned him an Academy Award nomination, as he captures the fast-talking, emotionally-stunted techie with finesse.
The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin, which won him the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.The film successfully capturesthe genesis of the virtual communications company from within the dorm rooms of Harvard University, even if it does take some pretty sweeping liberties in adapting Zuckerberg’s real life backstory for the big screen.
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3The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) - Chris Gardner
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happynesstells the unbelievable real-life story of a failed sales agent who went from homelessness to being a multi-millionaire. The film was directed by Gabriele Muccino and tells the story of Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, who was evicted from his apartment and forced to live in the streets with his five-year-old son. The film shows Gardner’s ordeal juggling fatherhood and an unpaid internship while searching for shelter for a year.
The film was based on the book of the same name written by Gardner and Quincy Trope. Gardner was an integral part of the film’s shooting and even appeared towards the end of the film. A few creative liberties were taken in the film, such as Gardner’s real-life son being a toddler instead of the 5-year-old young boy played by Jaden Smith, as shown in the film.
The Pursuit of Happynessis a tribute to Gardner’s undying spiritand is symbolic of the American dream, where an opportunity can turn anyone’s life around. Will Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his emotionally and physically demanding performance.
2The Big Short (2015) - Michael Burry
The Big Shortinvestigates the harrowing 2007 housing market crash in the United States of America by following the individuals who benefitted from it. The dark comedy is directed by Adam McKay and is based on the bookThe Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine.The film stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt as the primary characters based on real-lifeWall Street opportunists who became millionairesfrom the economic collapse.
The film is fast-paced and stylistic and effortlessly balances capitalist dystopia and comedy. Journalist David McCandless declared the film 91.4% accurate and applauded its realism. The film is heavy with financial jargon and expects the viewers to keep up with it. However, the lack of melodrama in the film accentuates the detachment of the greedy characters.
Related:15 Movies About Greedy Businessmen
1Rocketman (2019) - Elton John
Rocketmanis the biopic of musical icon Elton John, passionately portrayed by Taron Egerton, and was directed by Dexter Fletcher. The film follows how a young Reginal Dwight from 1950s London became the larger-than-life “Elton John,” while shedding light on his relationship with Bernie Taupin, his turbulent relationship with his family, and his addiction.
The film takes several creative liberties but is amust-watch for fans of Elton John’s music. The title of the film is taken from John’s song, capturing the essence of his extraordinary life. Egerton oscillates between theatrical and emotionally vulnerable, earning him a Golden Globe Award for his emotionally and physically demanding performance.
