Best Films With Musicians in the Lead Role(s)

How is Miles Davis in Dingo? Always wanted to see that, but never gotten to…

mmmm

David Bowie in The Hunger

Tom Waits – Short Cuts

Roger Daltlry – Tommy

Bob Geldof – Pink Floyd the wall

I’m a fan of Bowie, too, but i don’t think anybody can beat Dexter Gordon in ’Round Midnight. That is really a performance for the ages.

I’m surprised nobody’s said Sinatra in The Manchurian Candidate, or Streisand or Elvis in anything.

And, although it’s not a lead role, I gotta give a shout-out to Burl Ives in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

I must say… I enjoyed My Blueberry Nights, with the lovely Norah Jones.

2 lane blacktop – James Taylor – hate his music though….

i thought james taylor was terrible. luckily he didn’t have many lines. he made art garfunkel look like a good actor. dennis wilson was alright tho :)

Paul Simon in Annie Hall
Mos Def in The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy
Mark Wahlberg/Ice Cube duo in Three Kings, which has a good turn from director Spike Jonze. Another good thread would be best performances from a director, a list clearly topped by Carl Reiner in The Jerk. Clearly.

This last one’s from TV, but Kermit Ruffins as himself in Treme.

i like mos def but his casting was one of the major problems with that film. marky mark is kinda underrated and i wish ice cube would do more drama. probably the best rapper turned actor

Lots of good ones mentioned. The best Mos Def film I’ve seen is Something the Lord Made.

The Blues Brothers
Furyo
Pink Floyd The Wall

Gotta give it to The Chairman of the Board for the incomparable The Manchurian Candidate.

Charles Aznavour in Shoot the Piano Player.

Oh SNAP! Good call Graveyard Poet. Can’t believe you’re the first to mention him. Even gives my choice a serious run for its money.

Lars Rudolph in Werckmeister Harmonies

Jim Morrison in HWY: An American Pastoral.