Fictional pop stars in Hollywood films fail credibility test

A Variety column by Mark Harris criticizes the wave of fictional pop star movies for their lack of authenticity. Films like "Mother Mary" (A24, directed by David Lowery, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel), "Hurry Up Tomorrow" (starring The Weeknd), "Trap" (directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Saleka Shyamalan), "The Moment" (starring Charli xcx), and "Highest 2 Lowest" (directed by Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington) are singled out for their phony portrayals of the music industry. Harris notes that these films often prioritize psychological thriller elements over musical authenticity, with unconvincing fictional hits and unrealistic concert scenes. He contrasts them with successful music biopics like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "A Star Is Born" (with Lady Gaga's "Shallow") and highlights the Broadway play "Stereophonic" as a model for authentic music creation. Upcoming films "Power Ballad" (starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas) and "The Ballad of Wallis Island" (starring Carey Mulligan and Tom Basden) are praised for better capturing the music milieu. Harris also notes a trend of portraying pop stars as jerks, citing Charli xcx's "The Moment" and the Weeknd's "Hurry Up Tomorrow."