** 1/2 ( out of four stars)
I saw the new biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, last night at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville. The movie centers on the rise of the rock band Queen, especially focusing on its lead singer, the one and only Freddie Mercury, perhaps the greatest front man ever in music history.
I like Queen's music for the lost part. I never saw them in concert during the 70s or 80s, but I do vividly remember their historic set at Live Aid in 1985. Rightfully so, the film begins and ends with this performance at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Rami Malek's performance as Mercury should earn him an Oscar nomination. He is the film. He may not be a dead-on for Mercury, but he embodies Freddie in all ways.
The movie has gotten mixed reviews so far, mostly because it doesn't totally cover Freddie's homosexual life as much as it could have. For me, it is enough. It lets us know that Freddie was bisexual yet doesn't outwardly should gay sex acts. Frankly, I felt uncomfortable enough, watching a guy kiss another guy on the mouth. I was there for the music and the story.
Yet pro-gay reviewers and groups lament the film for not going deeper. I think it has just the right balance. Again, the movie should be about Queen's music, not only about mercury's sexuality.
The movie has a slant toward the band's innocence, making Mercury- and those around him- the blame for the band's troubles and their break-up in the early 80s. I wanted to hear Freddie's side of his own story.
I liked the portrayal of his "love of my life' Mary Austin ( nicely acted by Lucy Boynton). I found it interesting how the iconic songs were born. I know, the film seems rushed and too-pat with cliches- band forms by chance, sudden rise to stardom, drugs and sex problems, band breaks up, band reunites for special performance, sad ending.
Speaking of which, the Live Aid 20-minute set is fairly faithful to the original, but the movie does leave out "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "We Will Rock You" from the setlist( these two songs are featured earlier). If anything, seeing this rousing ending made mewant to google the original Live Aid performance.
The movie also doesn't mention that, after Live Aid, Queen reformed and toured briefly, even making new music, before Mercury go no longer continue. It doesn't show his death in 1991. There were hints of Mercury's sexuality all along, even though it wasn't officially announced until the day before he died.
Mary stayed with Freddie until he died, taking care of him. Mercury left his entire estate to her in the end. Mary is the only person to know where Mercury's ashes are buried.
The soundtrack to the movie should be great. Queen's greatest hits and overall music catalogue will now be unearthed by a new generation. I wouldn't be surprised to see Queen back on the charts soon because of the movie.
All in all, I liked the film, remembering that it is a movie, having lived through the real thing. What's the point? The movie reminds us what a special person, and performer Freddie Mercury was, and what a unique band Queen was.
Seeing what remains of Queen now, namely guitarist Brian May and new lead singer, former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert, it wouldn't be the same watching them in concert now without Freddie.
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