The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' has shattered box office records, surpassing Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time. With $977.4 million (£740.9m) in global ticket sales after its delayed release in Japan, the film is poised to become the first biopic to cross the billion-dollar mark. While this milestone signals a robust revival for cinema post-pandemic and post-strikes, critics argue that the film's financial success masks its artistic shortcomings.
A Record-Breaking but Critically Panned Film
Despite its box office triumph, 'Michael' holds a dismal 38% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. Senior film reporter Tori Brazier describes the biopic as a 'paper-thin so-called examination of the King of Pop,' with a 'daytime TV movie' quality due to its schmaltzy moments and simplistic approach. Brazier contends that box office success is not a marker of quality, noting that a film's earnings should not alter one's appreciation of it. The biopic's victory, she argues, is not a win for stellar filmmaking but rather a testament to its built-in fanbase and cultural zeitgeist.
Biopics: A Lazy Genre?
Brazier criticizes biopics as a 'cheat' in the movie industry, often presented as original fare despite relying on pre-existing life stories. She contrasts 'Michael' with more imaginative musical biopics like 'Rocketman' (2019) and the ill-fated 'Better Man,' which, despite its box office failure, offered a creatively realized portrayal of Robbie Williams. In contrast, she cites 'Bohemian Rhapsody' as a prior example of a financially successful but critically underwhelming biopic that quickly faded from cultural relevance. Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' stands as a notable exception, praised for its boundary-breaking direction. Brazier argues that biopics often avoid boldness to broaden appeal, making them a 'lazy' genre that prioritizes safety over artistry.
Sanitizing Controversy: The Jackson Estate's Influence
A major point of contention is the film's handling of the child molestation allegations against Michael Jackson. The late star's estate, a producer on the film, initially included references to the allegations but was forced to scrap them due to a settlement clause with accuser Jordan Chandler. The final act was restructured to focus on Jackson's rise to fame, ending in the 1980s before the allegations surfaced. The film portrays Jackson's domineering father as the primary antagonist, sanitizing the singer's life and avoiding the darker aspects of his legacy. Brazier laments this whitewashing, noting that the film's financial success will likely encourage more such sanitized biopics.
Future of Biopics and Original Cinema
With 'Michael' nearing the billion-dollar mark, a sequel has already been confirmed, with Lionsgate's motion picture chair Adam Fogelson revealing that 25-30% of a second movie has already been shot. Brazier warns that this trend may stifle original filmmaking, pointing to successful original concepts like Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' and the horror duo 'Obsession' and 'Backrooms.' She hopes for more originality in cinema rather than a surrender to the 'banality of biopics.' 'Michael' is currently available to rent on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Sky Store.
