Music Biopics, Rock Legends and the "Truth" We Choose to Tell
The new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has already become one of the biggest movies of the year. According to The Hollywood Reporter in “ Michael Jackson Biopic Scores Record Box Office Opening ,” the film exceeded expectations in North America and achieved the biggest domestic opening ever for a biopic, passing Oppenheimer . It also reportedly surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the biggest global opening for a music biopic. Part of what makes Michael such a fascinating cultural moment is not just its success, but the conversation around it. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and backed by the Jackson estate, focuses on Jackson’s rise, artistry, childhood, family dynamics, and transformation into one of the most famous entertainers in the world. But it has also drawn criticism for what it leaves out. As Variety discusses in “ ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director Torches Michael Jackson Biopic for Omitting Alleged Abuse ,” the film avoids the allegations of child sexual abuse that bec...