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We love a good straight-laced music documentary, but it's not the only way to learn about a band, artist, or movement by way of motion picture. Fictional narratives and biopics can also be crucial contributors to the canon of music on film. In some cases, the non-doc approach is even better.
In any dramatized version of actual history, there's an inherent susceptibility to inaccuracies. Sometimes writers and directors forgo facts in favor of upping the entertainment value. Still, the fictional route can offer a solid introduction to a movement, genre, band, or artist. These five films are great starting points for further learning. Despite lacking complete textbook veracity, they're still important, iconic additions to the never-ending chronicling of music history – and they're all currently available to stream on Netflix.
1. Velvet Goldmine
It's more than a fictional film modeled after the life and career of David Bowie; as AV Club writer Caroline Siede put it, Velvet Goldmine is about "celebrating the energy" of glam rock in early '70s London. Orchestrated by Todd Haynes, who later helmed the Bob Dylan multi-character head trip I'm Not There, this 1998 work was at first a Bowie biopic, but got shot down by the Goblin King himself. And while the main character, Brian Slade, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, still bears plenty resemblance, the storyline is far from reality, and the result is a far cry from an average biographical homage – fitting for a genre that staked its claim in rock 'n' roll by totally disregarding norms.
2. Wild Style
The central figure in this 1983 landmark film is a NYC graffiti artist named Zoro, who's played by actual famed graffiti artist Lee Quinones. His personal struggle is the focus, but Wild Style is also a pretty accurate picture of hip-hop's earliest days and is considered to be one of the genre's ultimate classics. In fact, it's widely regarded as the very first hip-hop film. Performances from Grandmaster Flash, Queen Lisa Lee of Zulu Nation, Grandmaster Caz, Rock Steady Crew, Kool Moe Dee, and more now legendary artists are featured, plus other icons like graffiti artist Lady Pink, as well as Fab 5 Freddy, both an MC and visual artist who was later tapped to kickstart Yo! MTV Raps.
3. Rock Star
Another one closely tied to but also publicly removed from its subject is Rock Star, the 2001 flick originally meant to tell the story of Tim "Ripper" Owens, a Judas Priest superfan who was picked to replace legendary frontman Rob Halford from '96 until his return in 2003. The band reportedly wanted a degree of creative control over the movie but were denied, so they ultimately denounced the film, resulting in a work that's only loosely based on Owens' story. But, of course, there are heaps of obvious similarities between the ascent of Chris Cole, played by Mark Wahlberg, and that of Owens, as well as the fictional group Steel Dragon and the actual Judas Priest.
4. 54
This one obviously isn't based on a particular musician or band, but rather the famed NYC disco club where plenty of them – and loads of other celebrities – regularly partied (among other things). Upon its release, 54 was consistently panned for its historical inconsistencies and likeness to its universally beloved predecessor, Boogie Nights. But now, nearly 20 years later, it's an LGBT cult classic. The Miramax-approved theatrical version was apparently drastically different than the lengthier original, which screened at the Berlin Film Festival last year. Mark Christopher, the film's writer and director, aimed to explore queer sexuality, not merely showcase a slice of disco history.
The director's cut isn't the version streaming on Netflix, but knowing Christopher's intentions will likely change the way you rewatch 54. Try the new-found lens; it's not the film you thought it was.
5. Shake, Rattle & Rock!
The premise isn't unlike Hairspray: This 1994 film also highlights the inherent racism of '50s rock 'n' roll by focusing on a teen dance TV show. Obviously, the camp of Shake, Rattle & Rock! can't come close to that of the '88 John Waters classic, and that's fine, because it's not supposed to, really. This one's actually a re-envisioning of a '56 film of the same name, and though the storyline is treated somewhat differently, they both include a strange televised trial of rock 'n' roll. Renée Zellweger plays the plucky lead Susan Doyle who, with friends, takes a stand against uptight (read: racist) adults by opening their own club. She forms her own band, too.
It first aired as part of Rebel Highway, a '90s Showtime series modeled after B-movies of the '50s. The flick is also a (sorta) prequel to the '79 cult classic Rock 'n' Roll High School, which was also directed by Allan Arkush and features some of the same actors. The Ramones aren't in this one, but another legendary late '70s punk icon is: John Doe of iconic LA group X. Occasionally, lines fall flat and awkwardness rises, and there's plenty more to explore in the subject matter than what their kid gloves allowed. Still, there are a lot of reasons to like like this well-meaning oddball.
Looking for even more to watch? Check out these can't-miss documentaries!
Jhoni Jackson is an Atlanta-bred music journalist currently based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she juggles owning a venue called Club 77, freelance writing and, of course, going to the beach as often as possible.
