Music biopics have found themselves a tried and true formula, and though Springsteen deviates from it, it also falls into a few of the same familiarities. Instead of focusing on the Boss’s entire life or the creation of each and every one of his hits, it’s a quieter film about the recording of his more stripped-down, intimate album Nebraska, that lets us get up close with the man behind the legend. Jeremy Allen White is excellent as one of America’s most iconic and beloved rock stars, capturing the singer’s desire for versatility and personality in his art while struggling with depression. Jeremy Strong, however, ends up stealing the screen in almost all of his scenes.
Refreshingly for the genre — and for the actor — music producer Jon Landau isn’t portrayed as a greedy, conniving villain, but as Bruce’s most reliable and caring friend, someone willing to stand up for his art and vision even against his own corporate interests. Strong wonderfully captures the delicacy behind the businessman, and the relationship between the two is the film’s strongest element. It’s also fascinating to see the old-fashioned ways of recording the songs, some of which have gone down in history, including “Born in the U.S.A.”
The film does have its weak points, including a romantic subplot that touches on too many clichés, and the traumatic childhood flashbacks, which can feel a bit overused — though they do feature a great performance from Stephen Graham as Bruce’s father. That said, it’s still a refreshingly smaller and far more personal biopic than most, focusing more on emotional journey than big musical numbers. It ultimately succeeds thanks to White’s captivating turn as an American legend.
Rating: ★★★½
Review by: Gal Balaban