“Bohemian Rhapsody” Shows How Another Star Is Born

“Bohemian Rhapsody” (20th Century Fox)

‘Bohemian Rhapsody” is a moving and entertaining film about the life of Freddie Mercury. He was the lead singer for the group “Queen” and this movie shows the groups formation and career with him. Rami Malek plays Mercury and in this role he is not just good, he is great. He makes the man come alive and provides all the quirks and drives that made the man tick. It is a brilliant performance in a brilliant film and audiences should eat it up.

At birth Mercury was named Farrokh Bulsara and he lived in Zanzibar. His parents immigrated with him to Britain. In his late teens he meets musicians Brian May (Gwilym Lee) and Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy) They are part of a group named “Smile” and they have just lost their lead singer. In an impromptu audition Freddie stuns the two men with his four octave range voice. He becomes part of their group and they later changed their name to “Queen”. Freddy also changes his name legally to Freddie Mercury.

Queen had a meteoric rise to the heights of popularity based on the musical and writing talent of the entire group, which later included guitarist John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello), and the phenomenal and distinctive voice of Freddie Mercury. All of this is explored in the story presented on the screen and the feeling of being a musical group that was family to each of the members is driven home.

As stated in the film Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton) was the love of Freddie’s life. She was his soulmate in one sense but they didn’t click in all areas. Freddie had a fluidity in his sexuality that caused complications in both his personal and professional lives. This too is examined in great detail in the movie.

The music of Queen is the drawing point of the film as it remains hugely popular to this day. As the film is telling its story the audience does not get to hear a complete Queen song, but at the end of the movie there is a Queen mini-concert performed by the group and it is stupendous. It makes you want to stay seated and watch the entire movie again just to hear this last twenty minutes.

Rami Malek is the standout in this movie as Mercury but every member of Queen is fully created and acted to perfection. Plus other actors such as Mike Meyers, Tom Hollander, Allen Leech and Boynton add to the strength of the movie as they enact their roles.

The film is surprisingly rated PG-13 for profanity and scenes of sexuality.

If you are not familiar with Freddie Mercury and Queen you are still going to love this movie. If you are already a Queen and Freddie Mercury fan you are going to love, love, love this movie. The film is based on the actual life of the people depicted and it is a fascinating look at the world of music in the 70, 80 and 90’s. In “Bohemian Rhapsody” you get to see how another star is born.

I scored “Bohemian Rhapsody” a melodic 9 out of 10.

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com