Encapsulating the tumultuous life of rock icon Freddie Mercury, Bryan Singer’s Bohemian Rhapsody is a breezy watch. Right from a young age, Farrokh Bulsara knew he was a misfit, and the only way he could connect with the world around was when he was on stage belting out one hit after another in his rapturous voice. Through his life, we also get a peek into the lives of the other band members of Queen as we find out in the Bohemian Rhapsody film review.
Bohemian Rhapsody Film Review
Bohemian Rhapsody isn’t a documentary, and one can only expect that the director has taken some liberties in retelling Freddie Mercury’s story. Certain events in his life might find a passing reference while still others omitted entirely. It is more than likely that those who have read about his life or have grown up listening to Queen might vouch for the fact that the movie portrays certain events not exactly how they happened.
Although some might be put off by Freddie Mercury’s story not being told verbatim, others will revel in the songs that make Queen so enduring even years after belting out those timeless numbers. Thus, it might be better if you go into Bohemian Rhapsody prepared for a bit of distortion of Freddie Mercury’s life to be able to thoroughly soak in the experience and come out wanting more of it. After all Queen through the many memorable years performing at countless venues across the globe had the same magical effect on the numerous fans that flocked to see them play.
All of the most unforgettable hits of Queen including Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, and others are in the movie, as are some of their more famous concerts. Watch out for the Live Aid Concert that is sure to take your breath away.
Rami Malek doesn’t merely look a lot like Freddie Mercury, but his carefully orchestrated mannerism of the rock legend will leave you speechless. At times, it is hard to tell if it is Rami Malek you are watching as Freddie Mercury or some old footage of the singer himself. Even Gwilym Lee who plays lead guitarist Brian May looks just like the latter did in the 70s and 80s. The similarity, in this case, is even more astonishing than that between Rami Malek and Freddie Mercury. Ben Hardy playing drummer Roger Taylor and Joseph Mazzello playing bass guitarist John Deacon are immensely watchable as well. Rounding off the lead cast is Lucy Boynton as Freddie Mercury’s love interest and friend Mary Austin.
And it wasn’t all highs for Freddie Mercury. As the movie shows, people will get a glimpse into the troubled times that he had to wade through. If being a misfit wasn’t enough, he was soon to learn that he had AIDS. At the time AIDS had just surfaced, and there wasn’t anything that could be done to salvage him. Freddie Mercury knew that he didn’t have much time and wanted to live life the only way he knew, as a supreme performer.
Entertaining, with ample moments when you will break into a chuckle and some profoundly moving scenes nearing the finale make Bohemian Rhapsody a finely balanced biopic of the charismatic rock musician that generations would grow up listening.
Whether you are an ardent Queen fan and have heard all their songs multiple times or are just curious to know more about the band and in particular its lead singer Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody will not disappoint you.
This movie sets up Rami Malek nicely to grab an Academy Award for Best Actor come the awards season. If you haven’t seen Bohemian Rhapsody yet, I would strongly recommend that you do so. Also, this is one movie that you got to watch on the big screen to enjoy it to the fullest. If you aren’t moved by and entertained watching Bohemian Rhapsody, you will at least have heard some of the most beautiful classic rock numbers of all time. Not a bad deal either way for the price of a ticket.
Film Comments’ Bohemian Rhapsody film review rates Bohemian Rhapsody 
(4 / 5)
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