Julianne Moore, Sarah Palin Movie Criticized: Other Controversial Onscreen Portrayals

Sarah Palin's supporters are rallying around her as the HBO premiere of Game Change comes closer.

The movie, which is scheduled to premiere on March 10, looks at Palin's experiences during the 2008 presidential election. Palin is portrayed by actress Julianne Moore.

The movie -- or, rather, the trailer -- has been met with criticism for the portrayal of Palin. One who has come to Palin's defense is John McCain, the former Republican presidential candidate who chose her as his running mate. McCain stood by his choice at a recent Republican event in Arizona.

I just don't get it, why they want to continue to attack Sarah Palin, a good and decent, fine mother, a wonderful person, he said, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Onscreen portrayals of famous people and historical figures are bound to be met with all kinds of criticism even before they've been aired.

Here are onscreen portrayals that were met with varying degrees of opposition.

Meryl Streep's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady

Streep is a phenomenal actress whose performances are rarely criticized, but her portrayal of former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher didn't sit well with members of Thatcher's family and old supporters.

Rafe Spall's portrayal of William Shakespeare in Anonymous

Whether the Bard actually penned famous plays such as Romeo and Juliet has always been hotly debated. Spall's portrayal of Shakespeare as a bumbling fool in Anonymous didn't sit well with everyone, including scholars who have no doubt Shakespeare wrote what has been attributed to him.

Colin Farrell's portrayal of Alexander the Great in Alexander

Greek lawyers were ready to go to court over the portrayal of Alexander the Great. They especially had issues with the way his sexuality was portrayed. An advance screening made them change their minds, the BBC reported.

Fortunately it was not what we had feared, said Greek lawyer Giannis Varnakas, the BBC reported. The people can go and see the movie. There is a kiss that can be interpreted in many ways, but we have avoided the worst.

Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath in Sylvia

There was definitely one person who wasn't thrilled with the late author being potrayed by anyone: Her daughter, Frieda Hughes. Hughes didn't permit the use of her mother's poetry and even wrote a poem about her frustration, the BBC reported.