Movie Review: “Bohemian Rhapsody” steals the show

Courtesy of Creative Commons

By Natalie Daniels 11/07/18

“Bohemian Rhapsody” proved to filmgoers on its opening weekend that it could “rock” the
audience both musically and theatrically.

The film follows lead singer Freddie Mercury and the remaining members of Queen, Brian May,
Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, through their trials and tribulations to their worldwide success.
The film begins with Mercury joining the band in college and following their journey through
later years. Unfortunately, with huge success comes huge difficulties. Mercury decides to break
up the band and continue with a solo career due to what he saw as artistic differences. The movie
resolves the problem when the band comes back together and performs at the Live Aid concert in
1985.

The film does a masterful job of incorporating Queen’s discography into the film through songs
like “Somebody to Love,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Crazy Little Thing
Called Love.”

Rami Malek gives an enthralling performance as the high energy and captivating Freddie
Mercury. He looked strikingly similar to Mercury with the token mustache, overbite, and wild
but stylish wardrobe. Malek captures for the screen the free will and eccentric nature of the rock
star. He also shows skill demonstrating the isolation Mercury feels as a performer and the trouble
he had in coming to terms with his homosexuality.

The film also showcases the relationship between Mercury and his ex-fiance and best friend
Mary Austin. Lucy Boynton portrays Austin as a sweet-natured woman interested only in the
love and nurture she exhibits for Mercury.

Mike Myers makes a cameo appearance as the comical EMI Records executive Ray Foster.
There is a good deal of light-hearted humor with cheeky and eccentric banter back and forth
between Mercury and the rest of the band. The comedy is well balanced with serious matters like the scene when Mercury confesses to his bandmates that he has AIDS.

The last couple of minutes of the film are pure bliss, taking place at the Live Aid concert. The scene
perfectly portrays the musical magic of the band and the intriguing and beautiful stage presence
of Mercury.

The main criticism of the film is that it is a surface presentation of Queen, neglecting to
go more into the band and the reasoning behind certain songs. Although it is an overview, the
film still captivates a wonderful story within 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Audiences may find themselves pondering the film while bopping along to the discography even
as the credits roll.