Movies about music are not musicals. They may have wonderful music in them, either from characters or soundtrack, but they tend to focus more on musicians themselves, or music in general. This is an important distinction to be made, and one that sets these movies apart from musicals. Movies about music tend to show a glimpse into the lives of musicians or music lovers, and how their lives influence their own music or taste in music.
Music is a powerful force, one that can uplift or tear down, and to use music as a device, or even a character in a movie is a creative and fun way to tell a story. From powerful singing performances, long monologues about a favorite album, to incredible soundtracks, every movie on this list uses music in different ways, but it's clear that any musician or music enthusiast will love them.
Inside Llewyn Davis
Oscar Isaac and company create some of the most beautiful, albeit melancholy, musical performances ever put on film in Inside Llewyn Davis. This Coen brothers movie follows Llewyn, a struggling folk singer, as he tries to navigate the complexities of the music industry in Greenwich Village in the early '60s, as well as his own personal relationship woes. Filled with music by the late great folk-singer Dave Van Ronk, an early mentor in the New York folk scene, and produced by T-Bone Burnett, Inside Llewyn Davis explodes with passion and musical excellence. And with much of the musical performances being recorded live on set, audiences can revel in the true sound of heartfelt folk music.
Rudderless
This heartfelt directorial debut from William H. Macy shows the bond between a father and son, and the grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one. After his son passes away, Sam leaves the successful life he once lived to drink himself away in despair. But after finding old demo tapes of his son's music, he begins to play the songs himself and attracts the attention of another young guitarist that wants to play with him. What follows is a deep exploration of grief and loss, and how music can heal wounds that cut deep.
Whiplash
Damien Chazelle's Whiplash is a filmmaking tour de force about a young jazz drummer and a seething, hard-headed instructor that makes his life hell. Combining beautiful cinematography, precision editing, and wonderful performances by Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, Whiplash is a masterclass in directing.
Apart from that, Chazelle has a strong grasp of music and clearly a deep love and admiration for jazz. From the physical drumming, musical numbers the band plays, to the soundtrack and incredible sound editing, Whiplash will linger in the viewer's ears for days after watching it.
The Blues Brothers
This classic from SNL cast members John Belushi and Dan Akroyd is a wonderfully fun music adventure that just gets crazier and crazier. Jake and Elwood have to raise money to save their old orphanage, so they decide to get their band back together, The Blues Brothers, and earn the money playing shows. But they make enemies along the way, having to traverse a gang of neo-nazis, country band members, and the police. Filled with a superb cast and even better musical performances and soundtrack numbers, The Blues Brothers is a hilarious rock-n-roll romp.
High Fidelity
Rob Gordon squeaks his way through life as the owner of a failing record store, where he and his employees lounge around and talk music all day. But Rob also has to come to terms with his failing relationship along with his failing business, both of which he is a little clueless about.
With a strong grip on how music enthusiasts live and talk, combined with a wonderful story about love and responsibility for both Rob and his love interests, High Fidelity succeeds as a fun rom-com that music lovers will surely enjoy.
8 Mile
As Eminem's film debut, 8 Mile gives viewers a partially autobiographical view into his rise to stardom. With great commentary on class and race, especially in hip-hop, the movie follows B-Rabbit as he rhymes and raps his way through the battle-rap and hip-hop scene of Detroit. Rabbit has skill, but as a white man, he struggles to break into the predominantly African-American hip-hop industry. With a great hip-hop soundtrack, including original songs from Eminem, 8 Mile has cemented itself as one of the best movies about hip-hop music and culture ever made.
Walk The Line
This biopic thrust Joaquin Phoenix into further fame for his brilliant portrayal of the incomparable man in black, Johnny Cash. Following Cash's life from childhood to stardom, Walk The Line includes wonderful performances of his music from Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, who won an Academy Award for her performance as June Carter. Cash had a turbulent life of hardship and setbacks, mistakes and failures, but what Walk The Line does so well is show how he overcame those misgivings and still wrote and performed some of the most celebrated music of the 20th Century.
Amadeus
This epic drama from acclaimed director Milos Forman shows a fictional rivalry between Antonio Salieri and his more talented counterpart, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Littered with beautiful classical music, mostly from Mozart, Amadeus reveals the life of one of the greatest composers of all time, including his wacky and eccentric personality. But with his childlike behavior and antics, Mozart was still a prodigy of music and had a genius-level of understanding in music theory and composition. He died at a young age, but his music, and this 3-hour epic, will keep his legacy alive forever.
Almost Famous
A beautiful and sentimental coming-of-age drama, Almost Famous follows the young William as he embarks on a road trip with one of the biggest bands of the era. After being assigned to interview Stillwater, a famous fictional rock band, he gets the opportunity to travel with them on tour, opening his eyes to new experiences and people.
Finding first love, meeting his heroes, and traversing tough situations make William's life exciting, and reveals the real life of rock stars and groupies he never saw before.
Sound Of Metal
This absorbing drama follows Ruben, a talented drummer who has his life turned upside down when he begins to lose his hearing. Riz Ahmed gives a powerful performance as Ruben, who has to come to terms with his hearing loss, as well as his addiction and relationship issues when he is thrust into an unthinkable situation. He gains progress as he lives at a home for deaf addicts in recovery, but struggles to accept his situation, both with his hearing and his relationship. Littered with fun band performances and amazing sound editing, revealing what Ruben himself hears (or doesn't hear) Sound Of Metal gives viewers a glimpse into the life of a deaf person, and the heartache that hearing loss can cause a musician like Ruben.