BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (2018)

Directed By: Bryan Singer 
Written By: Anthony McCarten 
Story By: Peter Morgan & Anthony McCarten 
Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel 
Editor: John Ottoman 


Cast: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Joseph Mazzello, Mike Myers, Tom Hollander, Aiden Gillen, Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee, Allen Leech 

The story of the legendary rock band Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury, leading up to their famous performance at Live Aid.

Now i can’t call myself an expert on the band QUEEN. Though I can say by the end of the film other then learning. A few facts the film never feels that complete. As it plays more like a greatest hits package as far as the overview and of course focuses on it’s Lead singer Freddie Mercury. The most flamboyant and leader of the band, but later it as the characters get mad later in the film and even Freddie saying queen is a band and a family, He is just a member the film is like those he is trying to tell and preach to by showcasing him above all else and filling In Tidbits about the band and era more in passing or as something to mention about why they can’t stay to party.

For a film that seems to have a grand budget the film also feels a bit small scale. The few times it does feels epic is whenever there is a concert scene. Other than that it seems to take place in the same dingy looking interiors that occasionally get changed around later. It also suffers from bad wigs and make-up.

The whole purpose of some movies is to show rather then tell but some of the concert scenes feel like they are playing the same arena and just dressing in the same and calling to another. Even In Different countries. I suppose these are more cosmetic then anything and shouldn’t affect the overall quality. Though for such a film where the bands allure at times were theatrics and made for the big screen. It shouldn’t feel or seem like a cable TV-movie on the subject.

As it skips all over the place and focuses on a few subjects hardcore and mentions some milestones, but the rest of the info is mentioned in passing or brought up to give the audience some semblance of motivation and character. As the film begins with the band coming together to form Queen we really know nothing more.

We get to see song constructions which are fun and informative but many of the songs just seem to pass by. They liven up the soundtrack as if you are a music fan you are glad they are played, but there seems to be little significance except for a few. As they fly by and are performed. Again a more greatest hits package.

The most satisfying and vivid part of this movie is when it goes into the third and final act that is when everything feels intensified with drama and all the actions and emotions feel important. Not asking for the whole film to feel this way, but it should have felt as strong and been as affecting. This truly happens once Freddie finally decides to get rid of the sycophants around him and embrace and believe in himself. This is probably down by design to get a more emotional ending and also to showcase a difference in tone from the rest of the film. Which while emotional Is a bit more freewheeling showing the rise.

Now while one realizes all the stories can’t be told as they have to keep it pretty thorough. Just as they choose to play fast and loose with the facts to make the legend seem that much more great. Including a small role for mike Myers where he disappears behind make-up for a character. Though his appearance does make it feel full circle at least maybe for me. As though I knew queen songs here and there. Mostly from the Flash Gordon soundtrack. The sue of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY in the movie WAYNE’S WORLD opened up not only the song but the band to me and many my age. It was our first proper introduction when he Freddie mercury had died only A few months before the film was released. Over the years that scene has cemented the movie to me most of all.

Dealing with Freddie’s homosexuality is pretty minor as the love of his life and the person he bod s with in the film is his first girlfriend. Though as flamboyant as he acts from the beginning it’s shocking that when he reveals or admits that part of himself to her that she would be so shocked or that he would have such a tough time at least in the film first succumbing to his attractions. As it seems at first more men and trying to seduce him and he is resisting. Then Finally giving in and not wanting to admit it. Until finally in a co-dependent relationship where they bring more people into their bedroom. Yet none of this is ever shown more acknowledged the morning after. The film also makes it look like mercury was more a victim of partying by his personal manager more then He wanted to actually partake In himself. As he believed he was taking care of him and the only one who believed in him. Not that there were any other problems.

Some events are totally passed over for story like not only the decadent parties they would have or the rampant drugs which are hinted at and shown only in one scene, but also the controversy when they were one of the few bands who agreed to play in apartheid South Africa. The Flash Gordon soundtrack.

Now while me can understand waiting to sell the film to the general public and trying to shy away from it from a studio and business standpoint. Though as it is a main point into a characters life and identity it’s shocking how far the film tries to contain it. It just shows how studios for all their supposed open kindness are still gun shy to a points using the reasoning of not showing it because that’s not what the movie is all about. Especially when the original director is Bryan Singer (more on this point later) who is openly gay.

In the end the film feels paint by numbers meant to of course make the audience have an emotional bond with Freddie. Not only for the tragedy but also for the amount of loneliness he felt even when a star and on top of the world. So especially when the third act kicks in it is more heartwarming than anything. Especially as the film presents the band as surrogate family. When he didn’t get along with his but by the end his actual family has corn toast crept him and he can fall in love and still have his best friend by his side.

Now when it comes to the direction of this film most of the filming was done By Bryan Singer who then subsequently was fired when the film still had a few weeks left to film. So then director Dexter Fletcher was brought into finish filming. So who the true director of the film is, is truly in question. Though in the films credits it is Singer who is credited. As also the film has his usual editor John Ottoman. Though I will admit only a few scenes seem to have his visual flourish and truly seems not on par with his usual as far as style goes.

One of the reasons this is disappointing is that the band and it’s lead singer are k own for excess and outrageousness, but this film is so tidy and shabby that it feels positively clean cut. A PG-13 rated nice for a band whose life was more NC-17 rated.

The one thing that rises above all in this film is the performance by Rami Malek which is the only dependable element throughout. His performance is as strong as it seems Mercury’s vulnerability was. This isn’t a star making performance but it does show how great of an actor Malek is and if anything I would recommend the film for him alone and maybe the final 30 minutes of the film. Where things get tied together and most of which is recreating the infamous Live Aid performance and feeling like you were there and seeing the emotions and glory of it. The film ends up playing as a highlight reel or more a promotion for their songs or albums. Mainly greatest hits a movie version of a jukebox musical.

Grade: C+