Biopics of any kind, and particularly ones about musicians, can be very formulaic, leading to an especially popular parody of the subgenre. Biopics tend to be more effective when they take a less conventional technique, and that is certainly something that director Todd Haynes has actually done. His 2007 Bob Dylan biopic “I’m Not There” famously utilizes various actors– including Cate Blanchett, Heath Journal, Ben Whishaw, and Richard Gere– to embody the soul of the folk vocalist at various stages of his life.
“Velour Goldmine” takes an even more loose approach, with Jonathan Rhys Meyers playing Brian Slade (a stand-in for David Bowie) and Ewan McGregor playing Curt Wild (who looks like Iggy Pop, but is based upon both Iggy Pop and Lou Reed). Due to the fact that Bowie did not permit for his tunes to be utilized, the soundtrack is comprised of ’90s artists such as Thom Yorke, Bernard Butler, Thurston Moore, Pulp, and Placebo either covering tunes by the similarity Brian Ferry and Marc Bolan, or contributing brand-new ones.
Like “Nearly Famous,” a journalist is at the center of this story, here played by Christian Bale. Bale, McGregor, Meyers, and Toni Collette (as Brian’s other half) offer brilliant efficiencies and it goes without saying that John Dunn’s outfit style is second-to-none. Biopics will always be subjective, and the figure at the center will be seen with a specific lens, so acknowledging this and layering fact and fiction is often the most successful route.
Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/905508/elvis-fans-will-want-to-watch-these-movies-next/