Bohemian Rhapsody
Starring: Rami Malek, Gwilym Lee, Lucy Boynton, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazello
Directed by: Bryan Singer and Dexter Fletcher
Rated: PG-13
"Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
A movie about Queen
No escape from the critics so mean
Open your eyes, look up to the screen and see"
(Please sing these lines to the tune of Bohemian Rhapsody since that is the movie I'll be reviewing today.)
The fact that this film has even made it to theaters is somewhat shocking. Bohemian Rhapsody was plagued by problems long before filming began. Originally, Sacha Baron Cohen was set to star as Freddie Mercury with Sony distributing the film. Cohen wanted a gritty portrayal of Mercury's life complete with many graphic sequences of hard partying and drug usage. The remaining members of Queen felt this was a bad idea and could tarnish the memory of Freddie Mercury. Brian May and Roger Taylor continued to butt heads with Sacha Baron Cohen over the creative direction of the film which lead to Cohen's departure from the project.
Eventually, Rami Malek was cast in the lead role and Brian Singer was picked as director. If you're not familiar with Brian Singer's reputation, just know it's not good. (How he has managed to escape the recent Kevin Spacey/Harvey Weinstein takedowns truly shocks me.) Halfway through filming Bohemian Rhapsody, Singer was fired for failure to show up to set and tension with the cast. This article from the Hollywood Reporter explains the situation quite well. As soon as Singer was fired, Fox had to hire someone else immediately. Dexter Fletcher was brought in at the last minute to direct the rest of the film. Thanks to Fletcher's direction, the film was completed. The history of this movie is dramatic and filled with chaos, but it has finally made it to theaters. After all, what would a Queen biopic be without its fair share of drama?
As I made it to the theater to see Bohemian Rhapsody, I expected to see a chaotic film. It has received its fair share of negative critical reviews. Plus, any film with that much drama behind the scenes can't make it out of post-production unscathed, right? Well, maybe it's the magic of Queen's music, maybe it's Rami Malek's electric performance as Freddie Mercury, or maybe it's just the fact that this reviewer loves any and everything musical...but somehow Bohemian Rhapsody escapes the behind the scenes turmoil to be a good movie.
The direction never feels like it changes between two different people. It flows throughout the film as it tells the story of the formation of Queen to the performance at Live Aid. Each musical performance is electric. Whether its Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, or Another One Bites the Dust: the film tells a story through the songs about what was happening when the band wrote them. The editing techniques are also quite impressive as the film cuts back and forth from small recording sessions to massive, sold-out stadiums. It gives the audience a glimpse of Queen's impact.
I left the theater surprised that the film's direction and technical aspects worked so well. It was actually in the screenplay that I had a problem. It changes some facts about the band in order to create a more dramatic film.
*Mini-Spoilers ahead*
The most major change comes late in the film when Queen "breaks up" because of Freddie Mercury’s solo career. In reality, this never happened. Yes, a film needs a climactic scene, and I don't doubt that Queen had fights (as all bands do). But staging a breakup that never happened and blaming it all on Freddie Mercury is unnecessary.
*Spoilers over*
Despite that misstep, the film mainly focuses on Freddie, originally Farrokh Bulsara. It explores the highs and lows of his life as he finds fame. Freddie's identity is a major focus ofBohemian Rhapsody as he struggles with his ethnicity and sexuality. Through the music of Queen, he finds an escape and a family.
It's tough to play a rock and roll icon and actually pull it off, but Rami Malek plays Freddie Mercury brilliantly. He shines when showcasing flashier moments of Freddie's stage persona and smaller moments with the band. He has Freddie's mannerisms down. In one moment, Malek has the audience completely enamored with Mercury's artistic creativity (particularly in the studio scenes) and in the next, we're completely frustrated with the way he handles his relationships. Malek gives a deeply layered performance of Freddie that keeps your attention. If you've ever seen him on Mr. Robot, you know this role is a major departure from the character that he plays on the show. It's proof of his impressive range as an actor.
Each other actor in the film does an excellent job.
Lucy Boynton gives an emotional performance as Mary Austin, dubbed the "love of Freddie's life." She is there for him through the good and bad. Even when Freddie isn't easy to get along with, she still shows him true friendship.
Gwilym Lee looks exactly like Queen's guitarist, Brian May. He is great as the voice of reason who attempts to keep the band steady. Ben Hardy is very entertaining as Roger Taylor, the band's drummer. His scenes involving a song called "I'm in Love with My Car" are particularly entertaining. Joseph Manzello is also entertaining as John Deacon, the band's bass guitarist. The 4 actors have great chemistry together and feel believable as a band.
I can't finish this review without mentioning the Live Aid sequence which is worth the price of admission alone. It's a recreation of Queen's set at Live Aid that is absolutely magnetic. Every shot is framed perfectly and completely pulls the audience in as if we are at the concert ourselves.
Although certain events are changed for dramatic effect, Bohemian Rhapsody remains an impressive musical biopic with strong lead performances.
My Rating: 8/10