Now that the critically panned Diana is in theaters, let’s take a look at other biopics that made a less-than-stellar impression.
Entertainment One
"Poor Princess Diana," Peter Bradshaw wrote in his review of her biopic for The Guardian. "I hesitate to use the term 'car crash cinema.' But the awful truth is that, 16 years after that terrible day in 1997, she has died another awful death." Those are harsh words, but Bradshaw isn't alone: Diana, now in theaters, has an abysmal 10% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Few of the reviews are as hilariously blistering as Bradshaw's, but they're just as dismissive of the film.
To be fair, biopics are tough. How can a filmmaker condense someone's life into one movie? The results are often muddled, as in the following poorly reviewed biopics — some of which are even lower rated than Diana.
Wired (1989)
Subject: John Belushi
Rotten Tomatoes score: 0%
Choice review: "Wired is in some ways a sincere attempt to deal with the material, but it is such an ungainly and hapless movie, so stupidly written, so awkwardly directed and acted, that it never gets off the ground." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Taurus Entertainment
The Babe (1992)
Subject: Babe Ruth
Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%
Choice review: "Spending these 115 minutes with the Babe is a little like being jammed into the window seat on a long-distance bus, next to a big guy with beer and cigars on his breath and nothing to talk about but his next meal and his last broad." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Universal Pictures
