Humans are complex beings – we are capable of all sorts of things, both good and bad. That is why Hollywood has always been fond of stories inspired by true stories.
For 2019, some of the biggest stars have come together to bring some amazing real life tales to the big screen. These heartwarming true stories will surely keep you enthralled at how often “the truth is stranger than fiction”. With that in mind, here is the list of true-story movies debuting in Malaysian cinemas.
1. “Stan & Ollie”
- Release Date: 24th January 2019
- Movie Cast: Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly, Shirley Henderson, Nina Arianda
“Laurel & Hardy, one of the world’s great comedy teams, set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953. Diminished by age and with their golden era as the kings of Hollywood comedy now behind them, they face an uncertain future. As the charm and beauty of their performances shines through, they re-connect with their adoring fans.
“The tour becomes a hit, but Stan & Ollie can’t quite shake the spectre of Laurel and Hardy’s past; the long-buried ghosts, coupled with Oliver’s failing health, start to threaten their precious partnership. A portrait of the most tender and poignant of creative marriages, they are aware that they may be approaching their swan song, trying to rediscover just how much they mean to each other.”
2. “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
- Release Date: 28th February 2019
- Movie Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Jane Curtin, Ben Falcone, Anna Deavere Smith, Stephen Spinella
“Melissa McCarthy stars in the adaptation of the memoir “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”, the true story of best-selling celebrity biographer (and friend to cats) Lee Israel who made her living in the 1970’s and 80’s profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. When Lee is no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception, abetted by her loyal friend Jack.”
3. “Hotel Mumbai”
- Release Date: 4th April 2019
- Movie Cast: Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Anupam Kher, Jason Isaacs
“A gripping true story of humanity and heroism, Hotel Mumbai vividly recounts the 2008 siege of the famed Taj Hotel by a group of terrorists in Mumbai, India. Among the dedicated hotel staff is the renowned chef Hemant Oberoi and a waiter who choose to risk their lives to protect their guests. As the world watches on, a desperate couple is forced to make unthinkable sacrifices to protect their newborn child.”
4. “Fighting With My Family”
- Release Date: 11th April 2019
- Movie Cast: Florence Pugh, Jack Lowden, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Vince Vaughn, Dwayne Johnson
“This is a heartwarming comedy based on the incredible true story of WWE Superstar Paige. Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige and her brother Zak are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot in the competitive training program, she must leave her family and face this new, cut-throat world alone. Paige’s journey pushes her to dig deep, fight for her family, and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.”
5. “Breakthrough”
- Release Date: 25th April 2019
- Movie Cast: Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Sam Trammell, Marcel Ruiz
“Based on the Joyce Smith novel ‘The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection’, based on the true story. When Joyce Smith’s 14-year-old son John fell through an icy Missouri lake one winter morning, she and her family had seemingly lost everything.
“At the hospital, John lay lifeless for more than 60 minutes. But Joyce was not ready to give up on her son. She mustered all her faith and strength into one force and cried out to God in a loud voice to save him. Miraculously, her son’s heart immediately started beating again. In the coming days, John would defy every expert, every case history, and every scientific prediction. 16 days after falling through the ice and being clinically dead for an hour, he walked out of the hospital under his own power, completely healed.”
6. “Rocketman”
- Release Date: 11th July 2019
- Movie Cast: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard
“Taron Egerton is set to star as Elton John, aka “Rocketman.” The film will focus on Elton John’s beginnings, starting when he was a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music and carrying over to when he reached global stardom through his influential and enduring musical partnership with his songwriting collaborator Bernie Taupin. It will be a biopic that looks at the performer’s life past the glitter saturated image we have grown so accustomed to associating with the performer.”
7. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
- Release Date: 17th October 2019
- Movie Cast: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper
“Tom Hanks is attached to star as Fred Rogers of ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’, the pioneering children’s television series from The Fred Rogers Company that is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. The film is inspired by a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and award-winning journalist Tom Junod. In the heart-warming story, a cynical journalist begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed. Rhys will play Junod the award-winning journalist whose real-life friendship with Rogers inspired the film.”
Other true story movies that could debut in local cinemas:
- “Green Book”
- “BlacKkKlansman”
- “Vice”
- “At Eternity’s Gate”
- “The Best of Enemies”
- “Ford vs. Ferrari”
- “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile”
- “The Report”
- “The Aeronauts”
