Bad movies, good business: how sanitised biopics became a Hollywood staple

As the interest in the lives of celebrities has intensified, we have become acclimatised to the fact that they will now curate and mercilessly monetise it Last month, Ryan Gosling addressed an audience about to see his new movie. “It’s not your job to keep cinemas open,” he told them. “It’s our job to make things that make it worth you coming out. This movie’s for you. Enjoy the trip!” Small wonder they applauded. This is a strategy radically different to that adopted in the immediate afterma...

By Catherine Shoard