Bohemian Rhapsody review

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY:

AN ENTERTAINING ALBEIT CLUMSY TRIBUTE TO ROCK N ROLL ROYALTY!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

20^TH CENTURY FOX

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody

            Queen, one of the most influential rock bands of all time makes a name for themselves and becomes rock n roll royalty in the new biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody. The film is directed by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men franchise, Superman Returns) with Dexter Fletcher (Sunshine on Leith, Eddie the Eagle, Rocketman) completing the film due to some behind-the-scenes drama regarding Singer, and stars Rami Malek (Night at the Museum trilogy, Mr. Robot, Short Term 12) as Queen’s lead vocalist, Freddie Mercury.

            This movie had a lot to live up to, not only is it named after debatably the band’s most iconic and popular song, but it also depicts the band’s history and how they defied stereotypes and broke genre conventions during their career. When you really get down to it, the film isn’t actually about Bohemian Rhapsody, they just named it after the song for money purposes, because it’s a world-famous song, even if you’re not a Queen fan you’ve probably heard it before in Wayne’s World or the Suicide Squad trailer.

            Well, with some talented people in front of and behind the camera, surely this movie will live up to the song it’s named after, right? Eh, not quite, but I’d call it a good attempt. The film highlights several moments of Freddie Mercury and the band’s careers and Rami Malek transforms into Mercury, Daniel Day-Lewis style, and features a soundtrack compiling Queen’s best work, but a little rough around the edges with its narrative and pacing issues.

            The film follows British-Indian baggage handler, Farrokh Bulsara who goes into a nightclub one evening to watch a local band called Smile. He catches guitarist, Brian May (Gwilym Lee-The Tourist, Jamestown, Midsomer Murders) and drummer, Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy-EastEnders, X-Men: Apocalypse, Only the Brave) after the show and they inform him that their previous lead vocalist, Tim Staffell quit, and offers to be the new vocalist as Freddie Mercury (Malek).

            Under the band’s new name, Queen, and the addition of bassist, John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello-Jurassic Park, The Pacific, The Social Network), they defy genre expectations and take serious risks with very experimental songs. According to EMI executive, Ray Foster (Mike Myers-Wayne’s World 1 and 2, Austin Powers trilogy, Shrek franchise) nobody listens to opera willingly and one of their biggest experiments is a 6-minute song featuring an operatic section, but after some ups and downs they managed to prove him wrong and become one of the most influential rock bands of all time.

            The movie chronicles several moments of Queen’s career, from the rise of the band to their near-implosion when Freddie’s lifestyle goes out of control through solo record deals and bisexual relationships, and the band’s triumphant return on the eve of Live Aid where Mercury, facing AIDS, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in rock history, cementing themselves as legends and of course, royalty (After all, they are Queen).

            The film also stars Lucy Boynton (Miss Potter, Sing Street, Murder on the Orient Express (2017)) as Mary Austin, Aidan Gillen (The Wire, Game of Thrones, The Dark Knight Rises) as John Reid, Tom Hollander (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Gosford Park, Hanna) as Jim Beach, Allen Leech (Cowboys & Angels, Downton Abbey, The Imitation Game) as Paul Prenter, Aaron McCusker (Shameless, 24: Live Another Day, The Astronaut Wives Club) as Jim Hutton, Dermot Murphy (Raw, Clean Break, Guilt) as Bob Geldof, Ace Bhatti (New Street Law, The Sarah Jane Adventures, EastEnders) as Bomi Bulsara, Max Bennett (The Duchess, Anna Karenina (2012), The Sweeney) as David, and Michelle Duncan (Driving Lessons, Atonement, The Broken) as Shelley Stern.

            Overall, Bohemian Rhapsody doesn’t quite live up to its legendary band, but the soundtrack and performances by its leads certainly do. Specifically, Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, he gets Mercury’s mannerisms and appearance down to the point where you forget you’re watching an actor, it’s straight up Daniel Day-Lewis style that should earn him an Oscar nom, he is that amazing.

            Many of Queen’s greatest hits have their time to shine during the film and you even get a chance to see where and how they originated. From Somebody to Love and We Are the Champions to We Will Rock You and…well, obviously, Bohemian Rhapsody, I guarantee you’ll be humming and singing Queen songs the moment you walk out of the theater.

            The movie does fall victim to a clumsy screenplay and awkward pacing, take this for example, you have Queen writing and recording the song, Bohemian Rhapsody and a record dealer warns them that nobody will listen to it. After the song plays on the radio and it earns a very lukewarm reception, the scene immediately transitions to them playing it live with an ecstatic and enthusiastic crowd. Where’d that jump come from?

            A lot of scenes feel like that and it makes the movie come across as disjointed and a watered-down origin of Queen. It’s almost like you’re getting a handful of the story, but not the whole story as you’re watching it.

            I think people are mostly seeing the movie just for the Queen songs and performances by its cast, which are enough for me to recommend. If you’re a fan of Queen and/or Freddie Mercury, you’ll probably enjoy Bohemian Rhapsody, but if you’re looking for a deep journey into Freddie’s life and Queen’s history, this probably won’t “Rock You”.