10 Great Music Film Biopics You Have To See

Written and directed by star Don Cheadle, Miles Ahead (2015) is a moody and moving portrayal of Miles Davis as he tries to get his career back on track following his debilitating drug addictions in the '70s. During his comeback, Davis finds himself aided by journalist Dave Braden (Ewan McGregor) as he tries to find a stolen recording of his latest compositions.

Shifting between the late-1950s and the late-1970s, the film's most impressive feat comes from Cheadle, who is able to balance the time bending narrative structure whilst also playing Davis with complete conviction. Clearly a passion project for the MCU star, Miles Ahead is a frank portrait of a man close to the edge who manages to find solace in the one thing he thought had long left him: his music.

It's an emotionally engaging and powerful film, particularly during scenes between Cheadle and McGregor, and despite some major liberties taken with the source material (meaning it may not be a film for any Davis purists out there), it remains an emotionally effective and passionately made biopic that deserves to be seen.