Bohemian Rhapsody
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (2018)
I was raised on the music of Queen (here we go again). From my dad blasting out ‘Live in Barcelona’ to him getting the collection of the music videos, to him religiously playing the tribute concert and marvelling over how well Lisa Stansfield and George Michael are matching Mercury’s impressive vocals.
I remember Freddie’s ‘Living On My Own’ being the soundtrack to one summer scout camp.
I remember becoming a fan myself and embarking on my own crusade of listening to all the albums.
My point is I’m hardly going to be objective am I? I shall try.
I’m actually surprised it’s nominated for Best Picture. It doesn’t feel substantial enough. The problem being, according to this biography, Queen had a pretty easy ride to the top without much conflict. Despite my history with their music I actually didn’t know anything about their story. And if this film is to be believed (and apparently some timelines have been altered to make for a more cohesive story) then the band had quite a straightforward narrative; they get together, they play live, they get signed, they release music, they become enduringly popular. And so the interesting element is Freddie Mercury himself, his musical genius, his private life and his rumoured outlandish parties and being one of the few famous people at the time to die due to complications with AIDS.
There have been complaints that the film glosses over Mercury’s sexuality and private life. But as Brian May said this is a film about Queen, not just about Freddie. And to make a family friendly film I suppose they had to omit scenes of hedonistic parties with piles of cocaine served on silver platters by naked little people. We do get Freddie’s Indian family life, his lasting heterosexual relationship and two predominant homosexual relationships. and of course him dealing with the news that he’s contracted HIV.
On to Rami Malek. There are some respectable movie review folk who are mocking his performance. And I just don’t get it. I think he’s tremendous and deserves all the awards. He’s great at showboating and doing the flamboyant Freddie but the beauty is in the quiet subtle moments. The scene when he calls his ex-wife to join in him having a drink over the phone has haunted me. It’s so still and tragic and it’s all in Malek’s delivery. Bravo that man.
He’s successfully overshadowed the rest of the cast. But they deserve kudos too. Gwilym Lee (May), Ben Hardy (Roger Taylor) and Joseph Mazzello (John Deacon) are a hoot. Particularly Mazzello. He provides plenty of laughs. Also he’s the boy from Jurassic Park. So that’s nice.
Bohemian Rhapsody’s success very much relies upon Queens universal popularity. It’s a flawed film but it employs the peak end rule to perfection. As despite the deep sadness that comes before it, the last 20 minutes at Live Aid leaves you feeling on top of the world.
Watch this late on a Saturday night, where the icy white wine is flowing and you’re free to spiral down a YouTube rabbit hole of live Queen performances afterward.
7 Celebratory Thumbs Up!
