10 Biopics Celebrating Enduring Friendships

Description: This film captures the meteoric rise of rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly, focusing on his friendship with bandmates Jerry Allison and Joe B. Mauldin. Their camaraderie and shared passion for music are at the heart of this biopic.

Fact: Gary Busey, who played Buddy Holly, learned to play the guitar left-handed for authenticity. The film also features real-life footage of Buddy Holly.

Description: While not a traditional biopic, this film explores the friendship between Will Hunting, a genius janitor, and his friends, particularly his therapist Sean Maguire.

Fact: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote the screenplay and won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Robin Williams won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sean Maguire.

Description: This heartwarming tale follows Alvin Straight, who travels on a lawnmower to visit his estranged brother, highlighting the enduring bond between siblings and friends.

Fact: Richard Farnsworth, who played Alvin, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, despite being 79 years old at the time. The film was David Lynch's first G-rated film.

Description: This poignant film showcases the survival story of Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist, and his interactions with friends and strangers during the Holocaust.

Fact: Adrien Brody lost 30 pounds for the role and learned to play the piano. He also spent time with Szpilman before the pianist's death.

Description: Follow the youthful journey of Che Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado as they travel across South America, a trip that would shape Che's revolutionary ideals.

Fact: The film was shot on location in several South American countries, providing an authentic backdrop to the story. Gael García Bernal, who played Che, learned to ride a motorcycle for the role.

Description: While not solely about friendship, this film showcases the profound bond between Jean-Dominique Bauby, a magazine editor who suffers a stroke, and his friends who help him communicate through blinking.

Fact: The film was shot from the perspective of Bauby, with the camera often positioned to mimic his limited field of vision. Mathieu Amalric, who played Bauby, was nominated for a César Award for Best Actor.

Description: This French film tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic and his ex-convict caregiver, showcasing the transformative power of friendship.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his caregiver Abdel Sellou. It became the second highest-grossing non-English language film in the UK.

Description: While focusing on Stephen Hawking's life, the film also highlights his friendships, particularly with his first wife Jane, who supported him through his illness.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking. The film was shot in Cambridge, where Hawking studied and worked.

Description: This lesser-known gem explores the complex relationship between two brothers, David and Jason, whose friendship is tested by their differing dreams and realities.

Fact: The film was shot in Atlantic City, capturing the city's fading grandeur. It was one of the last films to feature the legendary Jack Nicholson in a supporting role.

Description: While primarily a story of personal triumph, the film also showcases the friendship between Christy Brown, an Irishman with cerebral palsy, and his supportive friends.

Fact: Daniel Day-Lewis won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Christy Brown. The film was based on Brown's autobiography.