A One Mann’s Movies review of “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018).
Bob the Movie Man’s Movie Rating:
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13.
Sometimes a trailer generates a bit of a buzz of excitement with a cinema audience and the first showings of the trailer for “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a case in point. But would the film live up to the potential?
The Plot
Farrokh Bulsara (Rami Malek), born in Zanzibar to Indian parents, is a shy boy with a dramatic singing voice. At a concert he meets Mary (Lucy Boynton) who becomes the “love of his life”. When a space for a lead singer becomes available in a college band, Farrokh leaps at the chance and onstage becomes an exuberant extrovert. The band, of course, changes its name to Queen and with Farrokh assuming the name of Freddie Mercury they are set for global success. But Freddie is a complex character, and the demands and temptations of global super-stardom take a terrible toll.
The Review
Wow! What a great film on so many different levels. As a biopic of Mercury and a history of one of the greatest ever rock bands, the film is highly entertaining. But I wasn’t prepared for how emotional I would find it. Mercury’s life is befitting of a Shakespearian tragedy: an estrangement from his ‘conservative’ father (Ace Bhatti); a public extravert, but privately an insecure and needy bi-sexual, constantly searching for his perch in life; a meteoric rise and an equally spectacular and historic fall.
Do you remember where you were (if anywhere!) during the historic Live Aid concert at Wembley in July 1985? My eagle-minded wife had to remind me that we were travelling to Hampshire to house hunt because of my graduate job offer from IBM Hursley Park. My 3 month old daughter was rolling around, unstrapped, in a carry cot on the back seat: different times; different rules! Why this is relevant is that the film culminates in a recreation of the band’s spectacular 20 minute set for 1985’s Live Aid concert at Wembley. It’s a spectacular piece of cinema and one that – for me – puts the much hyped concert scenes from “A Star is Born” back in its box. Aside from a few niggles (the sound engineers in the booth were, if I’m not mistaken, all the size of Hagrid!) it’s a spectacular piece of CGI work.
It’s also worth remembering that whilst today’s massive stadium concerts from the likes of Adele and Coldplay are commonplace, back in the UK of 1985 most of the bands played in more traditional theatre venues: this really was an historic event on so many levels.
If I’m being critical, there are a few bits of the movie that are a tad tacky and twee. A whizz around the world of tour locations is composed of some pretty ropy animations that didn’t work for me. And a few of the ‘creations’ of classic songs – particularly “Another One Bites the Dust” – are a bit forced. Countering that though, the “Bohemian Rhapsody” is mesmerising.
The Turns
I’ll just put it right out there, Rami Malek is just sensational as Mercury! I first called out Malek as someone to watch in “Need For Speed“, but since then he’s gone on to major fame in the TV series “Mr Robot”. Here he is a force of nature on the screen and you literally can’t take your eyes off him. Every nuance of Mercury’s tortured soul is up there. I would love to see the performance recognized in the Awards season, with the showreel clip being a brilliant standoff in the rain with Paul Prenter (“Downton’s” Allen Leech).
The rest of the band – Ben Hardy as drummer Roger Taylor; Gwilym Lee as lead guitar Brian May; and Joseph Mazzello (yes, young Tim from “Jurassic Park”!) as bass guitarist John Deacon – all work well together, with Lee looking more like Brian May than Brian May!
Lucy Boynton, so great in “Sing Street“, gets a meaty dramatic role to sink her teeth into, and the ever-reliable Tom Hollander is great as the band’s legal rep/manager Jim “Miami” Beech: his ‘knowing looks’ near the end of the film are brilliantly done.
The surprise piece of casting though was the very welcome return of Mike Myers as the exec Ray Foster: only seen spasmodically on screen since 2009’s “Inglorious Basterds”. It’s a role that reminded me of Tom Cruise‘s turn in “Tropic Thunder”! But it’s well done. After making “Bohemian Rhapsody” famous again in “Wayne’s World”, how could he have refused? I say “Welcome back Mr Myers”: you’ve been missed.
And a final shout out to Paul Jones, my son-in-law’s brother, who gets a full screen appearance in the crowd, arms outstretched, during the “Fat Bottomed Girls” set! (I must admit, I missed it, so will have to go and see it again!)
Final Thoughts
This is a film that grabs you and propels you through the story at a fast lick. It’s a surprisingly moving story, with a well-known and tragic finale. It’s not a perfect film, but it is up there wih the year’s best as a high-energy cinema experience.
Trailer:
5/5. It’s a classic trailer as I referenced above, that’s made the country want to see it.
Original comment by Paul Jones: 5/5 Is this the Real Life? A very well cast movie. All four actors were very convincing in their respective roles as the Queen lineup- in particular Freddie Mercury. Although many critics felt the movie should have portrayed the mysterious side of Freddie, it is sometimes hard to fit everything into a musical biopic. Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away with iconography and themes such as the demise of an icon. However what it sometimes forgotten is that the reason why certain bands make it big it is because they are capable of great… Read more »
Original comment by Nick Jones: Really enjoyed this! Agree with your review, although I took a long time to believe that’s Rami was Freddie – I was staring at his teeth whole time and only started to be convinced during 80s moustache short hair era when he had mouth shut and sunglasses on (didn’t have the right eyes!). That said acting was decent! And casting for Brain, Roger and the other one was spot on! So difficult to to do a perfect biopic that is factually and chronically accurate and still be entertaining. I thought they did well and not… Read more »
Original comment by Paul Irvine: 5/5. Great film that, once seen, gives more emotional impact to so many Queen songs. It seems, for some critics, the biggest flaw of this movie is that is isn’t the film **they** would have made. As for me, well I went in without any expectations and was content and happy to let the film unroll in front of me, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience it was too. I’m not a Queen fan but I have always enjoyed many of their songs, especially “We Will Rock You”, and watching this films adds emotional weight to… Read more »
Original review by David Moody:
5/5 Very emotional and fitting tribute to the great Freddie Mercury
Ignore the critics who say it glossed over Freddie’s life. It doesn’t. It says what it needs to, when it needs to and is the more powerful for it. I remember where I was when Queen played Live Aid… I was watching it on TV. Mesmerising! #wewillrockyou
Original Review by April Mann:
Loved it!
Great review bob the movie man!
I loved this film. Easy to watch and I agree more emotional than I was expecting. I have been listening to queen non stop in my car!
Original Review by Jenn Jones:
Killer Queen
5/5. Hugely entertaining, I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a scene more than the “Galileo” bit. Hilarious, moving and an incredible soundtrack to boot – it’s just hit after hit. I didn’t recognise the Myers cameo at the time but retrospectively found his character’s comment about teenagers headbanging in cars quite hilarious. I agree the cheesy tour animation part was a letdown but only a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent film. I could have sat and watched it again straight afterwards. Five stars!