Do biopics pay homage or are they exploitative?

Biopics are frequently accused of exploiting the memory of the people they depict for profit, as well as being disrespectful to the dead. So, are biopics inherently exploitative, and if not, what makes them so?

In recent years, films depicting the lives of the famous have become more popular than ever. Biopics such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Oppenheimer have drawn in hundreds of millions at the box office amid stellar reviews. While not a new concept, the recent success of the format has spawned many imitations with varying degrees of success, but this explosion in popularity has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many.

I think the answer lies in the actual events of the person’s life. I recently watched Back to Black, and while the film was surprisingly respectful of Amy Winehouse’s turbulent life, especially given how atrocious the tabloid treatment of her was, there were several scenes where I felt guilty for watching. No matter how sensitive a film is, recreating the lowest moments of someone’s life, especially someone who was constantly hounded by unwanted publicity, is exploiting their memory.

Even more successful examples of the format received criticism, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, which despite the involvement of former Queen band members, was criticised for its depiction of Freddie Mercury’s sexuality. Skimming over his gay relationships while focusing on the platonic relationship with his ex-partner was seen by many as inaccurate and offensive. Like Back to Black, his struggles with addiction and illness were re-enacted, blown up on a massive screen and played to millions. I think this is the most pervasive issue with biopics; they depict real people, whose struggles actually happened, whose friends and family have to watch the traumatic experiences of someone they loved broadcast to the world. Proximity also amplifies this issue. Oppenheimer largely avoided controversy, and this has a lot to do with the fact that the person it depicts died over 50 years ago, whereas Amy Winehouse’s struggles and death are in living memory.

With this in mind, how can biopics sidestep these issues? I think some controversy will be inevitable, but a good place to start would be always seeking the permission of the families of those depicted, consulting them during production, and approaching any serious subjects with respect and sensitivity. Waiting until the dust has settled helps too; we should let the dead rest for a while before we turn their memory into a movie. I don’t think biopics are inherently exploitative, but the sensationalist nature of the film industry means they often are.