Flicked

I saw the trailer of the popular-‘80s-cop-show-turned-movie Miami Vice, with Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx in the lead, as Sonny and Tubbs. Another one to look forward to for ‘80s fans, I thought. Then I recalled the movies of the two, like Phone Booth and Alexander for Farrell, Collateral and Ray for Foxx. Ray happens to be a movie adaptation of Ray Charles’ life, the renowned soul musician he is. That led me in thinking of other music artists whose life has been turned into films.

Ray (2004)— Jamie Foxx played Ray Charles in this portrayal of the life of a legendary soul artist. Ray Charles became blind at 7, but that did not stop him from rising above the challenge and revolutionizing American popular music. The movie displayed Charles’ mounting career during the early eras of soul music, and his life struggles with drug abuse, racism and women.

Walk the Line (2005)—An account of country music legend Johnny Cash, played by Joaquin Phoenix alongside Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. The film depicted Cash’s early days in Arkansas, to his ascent to celebrity status with Sun Records in Memphis together with Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. The movie likewise illustrated Cash’s battle with addiction and the tale of his love for Carter, who helped him fight the abuse and eventually became his new wife.

The Doors (1991)—The story of the famed and influential rock band of the ‘60s and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison. The movie trails from Morrison’s days as a film student in Los Angeles to his death in Paris in 1971 at the age of 27. Morrison was played by Val Kilmer, who gave a very close depiction of Jim Morrison, appearance-wise and vocal-wise.

La Bamba (1987)—Biographical story of the singer Ritchie Valens (played by Lou Diamond Phillips) from simple beginnings in Paicoma, California to his rise as a young rock and roll singer. Valens’ career closed with the tragic death in a plane crash at age 17.

Great Balls of Fire! (1989) —Depicts the early life of Jerry Lee Lewis, a teen idol during his time, whom many thought would replace Elvis Presley as the “King of Rock and Roll.” Dennis Quaid starred the movie as Jerry Lee Lewis.