But when the facts are this colourful, why take artistic licence?
Fictional stories about real people are not new but taking so much artistic licence with a man only legally presumed dead in 2008 is distasteful.
Although the film was criticized for taking dramatic licence with some aspects of Chaplin's life, Downey's performance as Chaplin won almost universal acclaim.
The book which the film is based on is only vaguely based on real events, and takes significant artistic licence with historical facts.
"I wonder if he took poetic licence, or was he truly so noble and beautiful?"
The pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood were inspired by the real world around them, yet took imaginative licence in their art.
Wilde took poetic licence to the extreme, for the true story is much more down to earth.
It was inspired by the Faraday School kidnapping, but takes dramatic licence with the actual events.
Just in case real travel was in order, I took my passport (real name) and spare driving licence.
According to Cox, the Sun would not be dense enough in real life to stop a Q-ball, but filmmakers took creative licence in writing the backstory.