Biographical films
Wild And Daring, 'Tesla' Captures The Spirit Of An Unorthodox Inventor
Tesla unfolds as a series of funny-sad vignettes from the life of Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor who has often been relegated to a historical footnote — as the younger, hipper rival to Thomas Edison.
'Quiet Passion' Captures The Wit And Vulnerability Of Poet Emily Dickinson
British filmmaker Terence Davies turns his attention to the gifted New England poet in his new movie. Critic Justin Chang calls the film a "sharp, sensitive portrait" of a woman ahead of her time.
'It's A Playground': Meryl Streep On Acting With Abandon
Streep is nominated for an Oscar for playing Florence Foster Jenkins, a socialite who didn't let her imperfect voice stop her from becoming an opera singer. Originally broadcast Aug. 10, 2016.
'Founder' Serves Up A Profile Of The Man Behind McDonald's
A new biopic tells the story of Ray Kroc, who turned a single burger restaurant into a multi-billion dollar worldwide franchise. Critic David Edelstein says The Founder offers a dark dose of realism.
'Love & Mercy' Brings The Life Of Brian Wilson To The Big Screen
Screenwriter Oren Moverman talks with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about the film's depiction of the Beach Boy's troubled life. We'll also listen back to an interview Gross recorded with Wilson in 1988.
Timothy Spall Takes On Painter J.M.W. Turner, A 'Master Of The Sublime'
Spall had to "dig deep" to play the title role in Mr. Turner, which is now out on DVD. The 19th century painter was a "man of massive contradictions," he says. Originally broadcast Dec. 15, 2014.
The Strange World — And Life — Of 'Mr. Turner'
The biopic of landscape painter J. M. W. Turner depicts a man whose mind is barely engaged by anything other than his work. He's a mystery, and his art is magically indefinite — just like the movie.
Timothy Spall Takes On Painter J.M.W. Turner, A 'Master Of The Sublime'
The 19th century painter wasn't always "very pleasant" and he was a "man of massive contradictions," Spall says. So Spall says he had to "dig deep" to play the title role in Mr. Turner.
Benedict Cumberbatch Lifts Above Biopic Formula In 'Imitation Game'
Cumberbatch stars as British mathematician and World War II code breaker Alan Turing in a film directed by Morten Tyldum and co-staring Keira Knightley as Turing's comrade in arms.
Bennett Miller On Making The True-Life Crime Film 'Foxcatcher'
Foxcatcher is about wealthy heir John du Pont who hosted Olympic wrestlers on his estate. The director talks about casting Steve Carrell, the challenge of filming wrestling scenes and his film Capote.