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This is a comprehensive list of the top 20 biographical movies of the 21st century, based on aggregated opinions of critics, as well as personal preferences.

The 20 Best Biographical Movies of the 21st Century

	Title of the Movie	Year / Country / Director / Cast	Movie Description
1	The Imitation Game	Release Date: 2014 Country: USA Director: Morten Tyldum Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech, Rory Kinnear, Matthew Beard, Tom Goodman-Hill, Charles Dance, Steven Waddington, Mark Strong, James Northcote, Ilan Goodman, Alex Lawther, Jack Tarlton	During the height of the Second World War, in an outbuilding of an innocuous British country estate, pioneering work was afoot. Led by the brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst Alan Turing, a group of elite thinkers were tasked with deciphering the Enigma, a machine that provided encrypted codes for German intelligence. The Imitation Game chronicles the ambitious work undertaken by Turing, the resistance and disdain he faced from his colleagues (for whom he showed tremendous contempt), the presence of double agents within the team, as well as Turing’s homosexuality, which he was forced to conceal. It also acknowledges Turing’s encouragement of women within the cryptanalysis group at Bletchley Park, which was a significant shift from the prejudice and derision the majority of females received from their male contemporaries. The Imitation Game does not shy away from the inhumane treatment of Turing after the War. Due to his sexuality, he was convicted of gross indecency and took the option of chemical castration in lieu of prison. He died in contested circumstances in 1952, and was finally given a posthumous pardon 61 years later. This film provides a dignified portrayal of Turing’s life, with an exceptional performance from Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role.
2	The Theory of Everything	Release Date: 2014 Country: UK, Japan, USA Director: James Marsh Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior, Finlay Wright-Stephens, Sophie Perry, Harry Lloyd, David Thewlis, Thomas Morrison, Paul Longley, Alice Orr-Ewing, Michael Marcus, Emily Watson, Gruffudd Glyn, Guy Oliver-Watts	Doing justice to the extraordinary story of Professor Stephen Hawking is an almost insurmountable task, but in The Theory of Everything, the spirit of the man was captured with dignity and reverence. This movie relives the early academic career of Hawking, including his development of theories regarding time, black holes, and the Big Bang. He meets and falls in love with a literature student named Jane Wilde, but during the preparation of his thesis, begins to experience muscle weakness and problems with balance. He is diagnosed with ALS, and given a bleak prognosis of just two further years to live. Despite the apprehension of her family, Jane dedicates herself Hawking and the couple marry, going on to have three children. Hawking’s reputation as a ground-breaking physicist begins to take hold, which, alongside the worsening of his condition, places strain on his marriage. Jane meets a widower named Jonathan, and they strike up an intimate friendship, whilst Hawking becomes close to his new nurse, Elaine. The couple divorce amicably, and remain friends for rest of Hawking’s life. Although ALS continues to ravage Hawking, he is able to use a voice synthesiser to continue his work, allowing him to express the pioneering theories that made him legendary. The Theory of Everything is a beautifully-crafted celebration of one the greatest thinkers of all time, with an exquisite Oscar-winning performance from Eddie Redmayne as Professor Hawking.
3	Persepolis	Release Date: 2007 Country: France, USA Directors: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi Cast: Chiara Mastroianni, Danielle Darrieux, Catherine Deneuve, Simon Abkarian, François Jerosme, Gabrielle Lopes Benites, Sophie Arthuys, Arié Elmaleh, Mathias Mlekuz, Tilly Mandelbrot	Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Persepolis explores the life of Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian illustrator who grew up around the time of the Islamic Revolution. Marji, as she is known by her loved ones, comes from a family of Marxists fiercely opposed to the Shah. Her beloved uncle is captured by revolutionary forces, charged with political dissonance, and executed. This leads Marji into a spiral of bad behaviour, an especially dangerous move given the restrictions enacted by the strict government. Fearing for her safety, Marji’s parents send her to the Lycée Francais in Vienna to complete her education. She finds it difficult to settle in, moves between different families, and eventually ends up living on the streets. After contracting a life-threatening bout of pneumonia, Marji returns to Iran, where she promises to improve her behaviour and go back to school. She completes her degree, but remains defiant against the government; going to secret parties and meeting the man who would (briefly) become her husband. When it becomes clear that Marji is in danger of continued suspicion and persecution from the revolutionary government, it is decided once again that she will leave the country. She makes a final visit to the Caspian Sea with her grandmother, visits the graves of her grandfather and uncle, and promises never to forget her home country. The story opens and closes in Paris, where Marji is asked where she comes from. Remembering the promise she made to her family, she says “Iran”. Stunning visuals and a captivating story combine to make this one of the most beautiful autobiographical works ever produced.
4	The Queen	Release Date: 2006 Country: UK, USA, France, Italy Director: Stephen Frears Cast: Helen Mirren, James Cromwell, Roger Allam, Alex Jennings, Robin Soans, Sylvia Syms, Tim McMullan, Douglas Reith, Lola Peploe, Pat Laffan, Joyce Henderson, Amanda Hadingue, Gray O'Brien, Dolina MacLennan, John McGlynn	Helen Mirren does a spectacular turn as Queen Elizabeth II in this biographical drama, which documents the months before and after the death of Princess Diana. We join the Queen on the morning after Polling Day in 1997; the Labour Party have won the General Election and a young, nervous Tony Blair is waiting to meet Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. Although an immediate rapport is not evident, both are courteous. Three months later, Princess Diana is killed in a road accident in Paris. Public outpourings of grief are met with stoicism from the Queen, who remains on holiday in Balmoral with her grieving grandchildren. These actions are interpreted as indifference by the media and the public at large, causing outcry and a huge drop in popularity. The Queen, distressed at the disconnect between the passionate mood of the people and her own discrete actions, receives advice from an unlikely source; Tony Blair. With the assistance of his PR team, the Queen delivers a speech to the country, finally acknowledging Diana by name, whilst reminding the public that her grandchildren had lost their mother. Critique softens, and the Queen and Tony Blair move forward with a friendlier working relationship. A brilliant snapshot of a transformative time in the monarch’s life.
5	A Beautiful Mind	Release Date: 2001 Country: USA Director: Ron Howard Cast: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Josh Lucas, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp, Austin Pendleton, Vivien Cardone, Jason Gray-Stanford, Jillie Simon, Judd Hirsch, Tanya Clarke, Victor Steinbach	John Nash, the brilliant mathematician, pioneer of game theory and Nobel Laureate for Economics, is the subject of A Beautiful Mind. The movie dramatizes Nash’s career, marriage, and struggles with mental health. The story begins in 1947, as Nash arrives at Princeton University to pursue graduate studies. He meets fellow students, as well as his roommate, Charles. After developing a new theory and publishing it at Princeton, he is offered and accepts a role at MIT. He soon meets Alicia, with whom he enters a relationship and marries. Nash is invited to the Pentagon to assist with codebreaking activities; it is there that he meets William Parcher, who offers him a role that is better suited to his capabilities. Nash is tasked with discovering patterns in newspapers and magazines, that may be used by Soviet agents. He becomes obsessed with the task and increasingly suspicious about possible Soviet action against him. After a particularly alarming episode of mental distress, Nash diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and makes a shocking discovery about Parcher, Charles, and Charles’ niece, Marcee. A Beautiful Mind explores the complex life of John Nash with the respect and dignity it deserves. It’s a remarkable story with a heart-breaking twist. The movie won four Academy Awards, including Best Film and Best Director, as well as multiple international honours.
6	12 Years A Slave	Release Date: 2013 Country: USA, UK Director: Steve McQueen Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dwight Henry, Bryan Batt, Dickie Gravois, Kelsey Scott, Ashley Dyke, Quvenzhané Wallis, Tony Bentley, Cameron Zeigler, Scoot McNairy, Mister Mackey Jr., Taran Killam, Christopher Berry, Bill Camp, Chris Chalk	Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning film tells the harrowing story of Solomon Northrup, a free African-American man who was captured and sold into slavery in 1841. His protestations are met with brutal violence, and he soon learns that his survival depends on adjusting to his new identity, whilst keeping any attempts at rebellion shielded. Northrup, given the name Platt by a slave trader, meets a female slave named Patsey, who is favoured for her ability to work at a fast rate, but is also treated viciously by the plantation owner, Edwin Epps. After the crops fail on Epps’ plantation, Northrup and Patsey, along with other slaves, are leased to Judge Turner. Northrup is well-regarded by Turner, who allows him to play the violin at a local celebration and keep his earnings. With that money, Northrup attempts to have a letter sent to New York, but he is betrayed by Armsby, in whom the letter is entrusted. Northrup manages to convince Epps that Armsby is lying, and he is spared. Whilst working on a construction project, Northrup meets a Canadian labourer named Samuel Bass, who is horrified at the treatment of slaves on the plantation. Northrup reveals to Bass that he is really a free man, and Bass agrees to send a letter to New York for Northrup. The letter is received, and Northrup’s friends in New York travel South to rescue him. 12 Years A Slave is a profoundly moving story, with themes that are resonant to this day.
7	Walk The Line	Release Date: 2005 Country: USA, Germany Director: James Mangold Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dan John Miller, Dallas Roberts, Larry Bagby, Shelby Lynne, Clay Steakley, Shooter Jennings, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Dan Beene, Tyler Hilton, Waylon Payne, Johnny Holiday	Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, Walk The Line tells the story of Johnny Cash; his beginnings in Arkansas, the meteoric rise of his career, as well as his relationships and struggle with addiction. The story begins during Cash’s childhood, when his brother is killed in an accident. This has a profound effect on Cash, and whilst serving in the Army in Germany, he purchases his first guitar and begins writing songs. Upon his return to the USA, Cash marries his girlfriend, Vivian, and starts a family. He works as a salesman but still holds ambitions to become a singer. Eventually he funds time in a recording studio, starts and band, and is signed to Sun Records. Whilst on tour, he meets June Carter and begins an affair. After being jilted by June, Cash develops a drug and alcohol addiction, which soon spirals out of control and begins to impede his career. After several years of back-and-forth, Cash convinces June to give him a chance; the couple divorce their respective spouses and embark upon a relationship openly. Based on his brief incarceration for drug charges, Cash develops an affinity to prison population. Much to the consternation of his record company, he decides to record an album at Folsom Prison, where the film opens and ends. A brilliant screenplay and stellar performances, particularly by Phoenix, make this an unmissable biopic.
8	The Blind Side	Release Date: 2009 Country: USA Director: John Lee Hancock Cast: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Ray McKinnon, Lily Collins, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox, Catherine Dyer, Kathy Bates, Libby Whittemore, Brian Hollan, Andy Stahl, Tom Nowicki, Melody Weintraub	This heart-warming, multi-award winning movie tells the backstory of Michael ‘Big Mike’ Oher, a well-loved offensive lineman who had a prolific college football career, before being selected by the Baltimore Ravens to play in the NFL. Oher had a difficult start to life. His mother had substance abuse problems, which led to her children being taken into foster care. Oher stayed in several foster homes, finding it difficult to settle, with his education taking a hit as a result. As a teenager, he was taken in by his father’s friend, who helped him to apply for a scholarship at a prestigious Christian school. Although his academic record was patchy, Oher was accepted as a result of his athleticism and potential to become a great football player. Oher befriends a young man named SJ Tuohy, whose parents are rich and successful. It becomes clear that Oher has been sleeping rough, so he is taken in by the Tuohys, who take an interest in both his academic progress and his budding football career. They hire a tutor for Oher, to help bolster his grades in preparation for application to college. Oher is courted by the Tuohy’s alma mater, Ole Miss, for a scholarship, but this proves controversial. The Tuohys formally adopt Oher, and an investigation begins into their motivation for doing so. After reaching the conclusion that the Tuohy’s have not tried to influence Oher’s college decision, he is allowed to attend Ole Miss and begin his football career.
9	Ray	Release Date: 2004 Country: USA Director: Taylor Hackford Cast: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Bokeem Woodbine, Aunjanue Ellis, Harry Lennix, Sharon Warren, Curtis Armstrong, C.J. Sanders, Richard Schiff, David Krumholtz, Larenz Tate, Terrence Howard, Wendell Pierce	Widely regarded as one of the most beloved soul artists of all time, Ray Charles has been adored by music fans for decades. In this biographical drama, we learn more about the man behind the legend. The film begins with 18-year-old Ray attempting to travel solo by bus across the country. He explains that in the absence of sight, his ears became his eyes, and he has finely tuned his hearing to help him navigate the world. In a series of flashback, we discover how Ray came to lose his sight in the first place. When he was five years old, Ray’s brother George drowned whilst playing near their mother’s washbasin. Initially believing his brother to be playing a joke, Ray becomes paralysed with fear and is unable to raise the alarm. George’s death leads Ray to begin losing his vision, and by the time he is seven, he is left completely blind. Ray’s mother instils a mentality of self-sufficiency in him, and he is sent away to a specialist school to help give him the best start in life. We then join Ray on his journey to musical stardom, from humble beginnings in a country band to his meteoric success as a solo artist. The makers of the film do not shy away from Ray’s shortcomings, including his extramarital affairs and struggles with drug addiction. Jamie Foxx gives a stellar performance in the titular role, and was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor. Sadly, Ray Charles passed away just before the release of this film, but gave his blessing to the filmmakers, and to Foxx, who perfectly captures the charm and radiance of the great soul master.
10	The Iron Lady	Release Date: 2011 Country: UK, France Director: Phyllida Lloyd Cast: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Susan Brown, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Alice da Cunha, Iain Glen, Victoria Bewick, Alexandra Roach, Michael Culkin, Emma Dewhurst, Harry Lloyd, Olivia Colman, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Stephanie Jacob	Margaret Thatcher is a divisive figure. To some, she is seen as a great Prime Minister; steadfast, determined, and unflappable. To others, her premiership is marred by industrial decline, South-centrism, and violent societal division. In this film, Meryl Streep gives an outstanding performance as the Iron Lady. We are taken on a journey from the young Margaret Roberts’ beginnings in Lincolnshire, to her education at Oxford, and her struggle for acceptance within the hostile ranks of the Conservative Party. From a difficult start, she rises to the leadership and wins the 1979 election, making her the UK’s first female Prime Minister. After a long tenure at the helm, she is ousted by forces within the Conservative Party and a vote of no confidence ends her career. We also witness her relationship with her beloved husband Denis; exploring a thread of humanity than ran through a leader who was reticent to demonstrate emotion. A great choice for politics buffs!
11	The Pianist	Release Date: 2002 Country: France, Poland, Germany, UK, USA Director: Roman Polanski Cast: Adrien Brody, Emilia Fox, Michal Zebrowski, Maureen Lipman, Ed Stoppard, Jessica Kate Meyer, Julia Rayner, Frank Finlay, Wanja Mues, Richard Ridings, Anthony Milner, Nomi Sharron, Lucy Skeaping, Roddy Skeaping	A multi-award winning movie about the life of Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish pianist from Poland who survived the Holocaust. The film begins in 1939, during the first wave of German attacks on Poland. Szpilman is not too concerned initially, given that France and the UK have declared war on Germany and given a promise to protect Poland. However, the situation soon deteriorates, and Szpilman is moved with his family into the Warsaw Ghetto. He is met with brutal conditions and extreme violence from the German occupiers, and when his family is due to be sent to Treblinka concentration camp, a member of the ghetto police recognises him and allows him to stay. Szpilman is told about plans for a Jewish uprising, and helps to smuggle weapons into the ghetto. Szpilman manages to escape before the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising takes place, and finds refuge with non-Jewish friends. As Germany tightens its hold on Warsaw, Szpilman must flee between safe houses, until he is eventually found by a German army officer, Wilm Hosenfeld. In an emaciated state, Szpilman fears he is about to be killed, but upon discovering his talent, Hosenfeld asks him to play the piano. Hosenfeld allows Szpilman to stay in an attic, and regularly brings supplies to help him survive until the end of the war. The Pianist is a deeply emotional story, with an overriding theme of redemption and hope.
12	Milk	Release Date: 2008 Country: USA Director: Gus Van Sant Cast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, Alison Pill, James Franco, Victor Garber, Joseph Cross, Denis O'Hare, Lucas Grabeel, Brandon Boyce, Howard Rosenman, Stephen Spinella, Kelvin Yu	Milk is the second feature-length film to tell the story of the first openly gay man to be elected to public office, after the 1984 Academy Award-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. The 2008 movie is a dramatized account of Milk’s move to San Francisco and his ensuing political career, cut short by assassination in 1978. We join Harvey Milk on his 40th birthday in 1970. He resides in New York and has recently begun a relationship with a younger man, Scott Smith. The couple decide to move to San Francisco, which has a strong gay population and more welcoming atmosphere. Still, there remains some resistance from existing communities, so Milk decides to become an activist and enter politics. On his third attempt, he is voted to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to win an election within the state. Although his career is taking off, the demands of the job makes it impossible for Milk to sustain a relationship with Smith, and the two part ways. Milk has a difficult working relationship with Dan White, one of the other supervisors who holds socially and politically conservative views. The two clash heads on a number of issues, and White begins to resent Milk for what he perceives as deliberate attempts to undermine him. The movie then explores the escalation of events that lead White to take violent action against Milk and Mayor George Moscone, including the defeat of Proposition 6, which targeted gay men and women. The proposition was supported by White and opposed by Milk, who galvanised support for the gay community to stop it. Milk handles a complex story with balance and respect. Like the 1984 documentary, it is an Academy Award winner; Sean Penn won Best Actor for the leading role, and Dustin Lance Black picked up the Best Original Screenplay award.
13	Invictus	Release Date: 2009 Country: USA Director: Clint Eastwood Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng, Julian Lewis Jones, Matt Stern, Adjoa Andoh, Marguerite Wheatley, Penny Downie, Leleti Khumalo, Sibongile Nojila, Patrick Lyster, Bonnie Henna, Louis Minnaar	After Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1994, he was soon elected President of post-apartheid South Africa. The following year, the country was due to host the rugby union World Cup. South Africa had been ostracised from the sport during the years of apartheid, and in the absence of international standing, could only compete due to the fact they were hosts. Domestically, rugby was seen as a white-dominated sport, but in the spirit of unity, Mandela tried to reframe the World Cup as an opportunity for all South Africans to come together. To do this, Mandela needed the help of rugby captain, Francois Pienaar. Stressing the importance of a South African win to the harmony of the nation, Mandela gives Pienaar a seemingly impossible task; to defeat the dominant New Zealand All Blacks. Invictus is a life-affirming, glorious story of battling the odds.
14	Lincoln	Release Date: 2012 Country: USA, India Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Strathairn, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, Bruce McGill, Joseph Cross, Jared Harris, Tim Blake Nelson	This epic biographical drama explores the final months of the life of President Abraham Lincoln, as he attempts to push the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, through Congress, which will finally abolish slavery. The film begins during the closing stages of the U.S. Civil War. The prevailing opinion is that the Confederates are on the brink of defeat, and Lincoln knows that he must act quickly to secure an abolition of slavery, as southern states returning to the Union are likely to vote it down. Lincoln must also work to secure the backing of conservative border states within his own Republican party. To do this, he enlists the help of Francis Preston Blair, a founding member of the Republican Party. Blair, however, has sons away fighting the Civil War, and only agrees to help on the proviso that negotiations can begin with the Confederate side. Lincoln knows this will anger the radical Republican states, who are fully in support of the 13th Amendment, but do not wish to end the War through negotiation. Lincoln must then carefully balance the requirements of Blair, the radical faction of the Republican Party, and the incoming Confederate negotiators. The final vote is fraught with risk, and barely passes. In the closing part of the film, Lincoln is reminded that he is due to attend the Ford’s Theatre. Lincoln has the perfect combination of an engaging screenplay, brilliant acting, and exquisite cinematography. A triumphant retelling of one of the most defining moments in American history.
15	The King’s Speech	Release Date: 2010 Country: UK, USA, Australia Director: Tom Hooper Cast: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi, Robert Portal, Andrew Havill, Richard Dixon, Charles Armstrong, Roger Hammond, Paul Trussell, Adrian Scarborough, Geoffrey Rush, Jennifer Ehle, Calum Gittins, Dominic Applewhite	With Colin Firth in the leading role, The King’s Speech explores King George VI’s acknowledgment and treatment of a stammer that blighted him from childhood. After a difficult address at the British Empire Exhibition, the young Prince Albert realises that he must get treatment to overcome his speech impediment. This becomes more of an urgent endeavour after the death of his father and abdication of his brother, leaving Albert, now King George VI, as the heir. He is introduced to Lionel Logue, a speech therapist without formal training, who developed his techniques whilst helping Australian survivors of the First World War. Although initially sceptical, the King begins to appreciate the progress he makes using Logue’s unconventional methods. His biggest challenge comes in 1939, when he is tasked with declaring war on Germany and addressing his country. With Logue acting as a conductor, he is able to begin, and soon finds himself able to control the stammer independently.
16	Catch Me If You Can	Release Date: 2002 Country: USA, Canada Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Nathalie Baye, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams, Brian Howe, James Brolin, Steve Eastin, Chris Ellis, Frank John Hughes, Jennifer Garner, Nancy Lenehan, John Finn	A delightfully stylish retelling of the life of Frank Abagnale, a prolific conman whose career began in adolescence. Before the age of 20, Abagnale was able to successfully impersonate an airline pilot, attorney, and a consultant paediatrician. He amassed a million miles in free flights, and earned over $2million from cashing forged cheques. Catch Me If You Can begins with a teenage Abagnale living just outside of New York City with his parents, who are on the verge of divorce due to his father’s financial problems and his mother’s infidelity. Abagnale runs away from home and sustains himself with a series of con tricks, which escalate to the point that he masquerades as a pilot, earning millions of dollars from fake PanAm payroll cheques. His escapades catch the attention of the FBI, who assign an agent named Carl Hanratty to the case. Hanratty chases Abagnale all over the country, whilst the latter becomes more audacious in his actions, taunting Hanratty. Abagnale then escapes to Europe, with the FBI hot on his tracks. Catch Me If You Can is a thrilling story with great humour and sublime cinematography thrown in. A must-see!
17	The Aviator	Release Date: 2004 Country: Germany, USA Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, John C. Reilly, Alan Alda, Matt Ross, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Adam Scott, Kelli Garner, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law, Frances Conroy, Brent Spiner	Whilst we’re on the subject of Leonardo DiCaprio’s star turns, The Aviator sees him deliver an excellent performance as Howard Hughes, the filmmaker-turned-aviation tycoon. In an early scene, a young Hughes is being bathed by his mother, whose fear of germs has a profound, lifelong effect upon him. After a successful career as a film director and studio owner, Hughes turned his attention to the airline industry. He purchased Trans World Airways and spearheaded the development of the H1 Racer plane and H4 Hercules flying boat. These actions almost bankrupted him, and the stress fed into his developing obsessive-compulsive disorder. Hughes is a complicated character, but his story is treated with respect and diligence. As such, The Aviator is a thrilling, captivating tale.
18	The Social Network	Release Date: 2010 Country: USA Director: David Fincher Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Dustin Fitzsimons, Andrew Garfield, Joseph Mazzello, Toby Meuli, Alecia Svensen, Jami Owen, Patrick Mapel, James Dastoli, Scotty Crowe, Jayk Gallagher, Robert Dastoli	The Social Network tells the story of the formation and early years of Facebook. 19-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, who has just been dumped by his girlfriend, decides to get his own back on the female population of Harvard University. Hacking into the college’s database, he extracts images of women on campus, then sets up a website that allows people to vote on who is the most attractive. He is reprimanded by Harvard, but also piques the interest of the Winklevoss twins, who are working on a dating network for their college contemporaries. They invite him to help develop their website, and he accepts. Zuckerberg soon begins working on his own social network, initially named Thefacebook. The website quickly becomes popular on campus, then spreads to other Ivy League universities. The Winklevoss twins accuse Zuckerberg of stealing their idea, and take legal action. Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg’s friend and early investor in Facebook, also calls in the lawyers when his stake in the social network is diluted, on the advice of Napster co-founder Sean Parker, who becomes heavily involved in the emerging business. The Social Network is a uniquely modern tale that deals with the pitfalls of rapid success, the challenge of protecting intellectual property, and the intersection of business and friendship.
19	Capote	Release Date: 2005 Country: USA, Canada Director: Bennett Miller Cast: Allie Mickelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kelci Stephenson, Craig Archibald, David Wilson Barnes, Bronwen Coleman, Kate Shindle, Michael J. Burg, Catherine Keener, Andrew Farago, Chris Cooper, Kwesi Ameyaw	With a stellar performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman in the title role, this film details Capote’s process as he wrote his most famous work, In Cold Blood. After watching a news report about the horrific Clutter family murders, Capote visits Kansas to find out more about the motivations of the killers, Perry Smith and Richard "Dick" Hickock. Capote soon forms a friendship with Smith, but is frustrated by repeated attempts to discover precisely what happened on the night of the murders. Fearing he will never finish his book, Capote withdraws from Smith. Eventually, Smith rescinds his opposition and gives the full detail. Disgusted, Capote completes the book but doesn’t return to visit Smith, until he is finally persuaded by his friend, Harper Lee. Capote explores the complexity of human relationships, and the morbid curiosity that can drive creativity.
20	Finding Neverland	Release Date: 2004 Country: USA, UK Director: Marc Forster Cast: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Dustin Hoffman, Radha Mitchell, Freddie Highmore, Nick Roud, Kelly Macdonald, Joe Prospero, Luke Spill, Ian Hart, Jimmy Gardner, Mackenzie Crook, Eileen Essell, Oliver Fox	A snapshot of the life of J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. We join Barrie in the early 1900s, having met Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, a widower with four young sons. Barrie, although married, begins spending more time with the Llewelyn Davies family. Whilst the relationship between Barrie and Llewelyn Davies remains platonic, he becomes a surrogate father figure to the boys. In turn, they inspire him to write the play that would define his career. On opening night, Llewelyn Davies is not present in the audience, and her son Peter informs Barrie that she is too unwell to attend. He misses the performance to go to her aid, and arranges a special abridged performance for her in the family home. As Llewelyn Davies’ condition worsens, Barrie takes on the responsibility of caring for the children. Finding Neverland is a delightful glimpse into the life of a beloved playwright, with an excellent performance from Johnny Depp in the leading role.

The building blocks of great biographical movies

When looking at the best biographical films, several key concepts emerge. It is these factors that help to build a movie that educates, enthrals, and entertains the audience. Let’s explore them.

Character
A good story is nothing without a compelling character. A person need not be famous nor traditionally successful to live a spectacular life. For a filmmaker, the challenge is to tap into the focal person’s unique features, which will establish an immediate connection with the audience. Whilst empathy is a powerful storytelling tool, viewers do not necessarily need to like a character; it’s far more important to be enraptured by them.

Story
Whether it’s a spectacular life story, a unique account of an unusual event, or simply a fresh perspective, narrative is paramount. Don’t forget that It’s often in the outwardly ordinary that we find the most extraordinary stories.

Visual engagement
A great biographical movie will use sublime cinematography to create an immediate engagement with the audience. The visual aspect of the movie must aid storytelling, and immerse the audience in the narrative.

Uniqueness
Biographical filmmakers must place an emphasis on telling a story that hasn’t been heard before. Even if the subject has been explored in the past, a fresh take or new perspective will help to set the narrative apart.

Food for thought
Great biographies will linger in the minds of the audience, prompting questions long after the credits have rolled! Not only do these movies provide entertainment, but they also act as a springboard for further research and discussion.