The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, surpassing Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer with $977.4 million (£740.9m) worldwide after its belated release in Japan. It is expected to become the first billion-dollar biopic. However, critic Tori Brazier argues that the film's financial success does not reflect its quality, pointing to its 38% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
A hollow victory for cinema?
Brazier acknowledges that the box office triumph signals a healthy return to cinemas post-pandemic and strikes, but she is unimpressed by the film itself, describing it as a 'paper-thin so-called examination of the King of Pop' with a 'daytime TV movie' feel. She contends that box office numbers are not a measure of artistic merit and that fans should not let gross revenue dictate their enjoyment.
Biopics as lazy filmmaking
Brazier argues that biopics are a 'cheat' because they rely on pre-existing narratives from Wikipedia or books, rather than original storytelling. While some musical biopics like Rocketman and Better Man have been imaginative, many—including Bohemian Rhapsody—are conventional and sanitised. She notes that Oppenheimer is an exception due to Nolan's distinctive direction, but most biopics succeed financially without taking risks, thanks to built-in fanbases.
Sanitisation and controversy
The film faced criticism for its handling of child molestation allegations against Jackson. A clause in a settlement with accuser Jordan Chandler prohibited his mention in any movie, leading to reshoots that scrapped the final act. The restructured film focuses on Jackson's rise to fame and ends in the 1980s, avoiding the allegations entirely. Brazier calls this a 'lazy' approach that smooths over controversial aspects, especially when the subject's estate is involved as producer.
Impact on future biopics
Brazier fears that Michael's financial success will encourage more biopics, potentially leading to a Madonna biopic or a sequel to Michael. Lionsgate's Adam Fogelson has confirmed that 25-30% of a second movie has already been shot. The critic hopes for more original films like Sinners or The Secret Agent instead of a 'banality of biopics.'
