I recently watched French actress Marion Cotillard light up the screen as songstress Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose.

The quality of the film and of her performance made me think about some of the other great movies about musicians.

Jamie Foxx gives an award-winning performance as R&B singer Ray Charles in Ray. The film portrays his musical innovation alongside his struggles with drugs and other demons. Foxx lip-synchs the lyrics throughout the movie, so the soundtrack is a wonderful mix of Charles's original hits.

The life of country singer Loretta Lynn is portrayed in Coal Miner's Daughter, from her humble upbringing in rural Kentucky to her career high as one of country music's earliest superstars. The quality of the performances and Sissy Spacek's own vocals make this a perfect movie.

In what must be one of the most unusual movies of any kind, I'm Not There features six actors, both male and female, capturing different elements of Bob Dylan's life and work. Rather than offering a linear portrayal of the musician, it captures glimpses of Dylan's work, loves and influence, without ever actually mentioning his name.

Walk the Line features Joaquin Phoenix in an amazing performance as Johnny Cash.

Arguably one of the best and funniest music movies ever made, the mockumentary This is Spinal Tap captures the highs and lows of an aging heavy metal band as they try to stage a come-back tour across America. Starring Christopher Guest and Michael McKean, this movie will leave you laughing out loud at the bad luck of these second-rate musicians and their over-the-top lyrics and stage performances.

All of these movies can be found at the library, in addition to biographies of the musicians and CDs of their music.

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