Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
I have to say straight away that I am not a huge fan of the British band Queen. I thought that ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was an amazing song at the time, and they have some ‘anthems’ that everybody can sing and enjoy. But I was very much a fan of completely different kinds of music, and never owned a single album by this band. But this is a film review, so I will rate it as such.
I would probably never have bothered to watch this, had not the DVD turned up in the house. But once it started, I thought ‘why not’? I am not sure if die-hard fans of the band will enjoy this. In fact, I do know one man who loves the group, but hated the film. I can see it from a very neutral perspective, and have no bias either way.
The first thing I should say is that this is a film about Freddie Mercury. The rest of the band is featured of course, alongside the manager, record company executives, and Freddie’s love interests. But it is all about Freddie, and the actor playing him (Rami Malek) is rarely off screen throughout. It has a rather ‘retro’ feel, looking at the rise of the famous group in much the same way as many other music biopics have done in the past. Arguments about songs, snippets of performances, world tours, sitting in dressing rooms, travelling in buses. You know the deal.
Factually, it glosses over a lot of actual events, and introduces some supposed ‘facts’ that are just not true. No doubt this is done for dramatic effect, but even a non-fan like myself found some things irritating. Much is made of Freddie’s sexuality, drug use, heavy drinking, and apparent ‘prima-donna’ personality. He comes across as someone I don’t think I would have wanted to know.
On the plus side, (yes, there are plus sides) Malek does Mercury well, even singing the songs. He struts, preens, and poses as we might expect, and he doesn’t attempt a straight impersonation. Given how well-known Mercury was, this was a good decision. But for me, this also means that he never completely convinces in the role, and despite the huge number of awards won by the film, I was far from impressed. The rest of the casting is first rate; with the reliable Tom Hollander, Aiden Gillen, and an unrecognisable Mike Myers all doing well.
I didn’t feel it though, as you can probably tell. I would sooner watch the real band in concert, to be honest.
Still, what do I know? Here’s a trailer.
Malek was excellent here. But I thought the film was lacking something. I believe it tried to cram too much into one film.
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It didn’t really work for me, V. He did his best with Freddie, but I wasn’t convinced.
Cheers, Pete.
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I thought the movie was massively overhyped.
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I found it an easy film to watch and loved the authenticity of the sets, but then I guess it all happened as I was growing up which increased the appeal to me. I remember my first listen to ‘A Night at the Opera’ round at a older neighbours who I’m sure must have bought it hot off the press.
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Cheers, Eddy. It has huge appeal, undoubtedly. I found it just a bit unnecessary, when the story is very fresh in my mind. But then you are young… 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I enjoyed the film and think Rami Malek did an amazing job.
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Glad to hear that you liked it, Peggy. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love your disclaimer. Warmest regards, Theo
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I add that occasionally, Theo. Glad you like it. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Have to watch in future! 😉 Thank you for the engaged review, Pete! Best wishes, Michael
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If you like Queen’s music, then you might enjoy the film, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love some songs of them, not all. Let me see. Unlike a concert, a movie can be changed. 🙂 Have a nice afternoon! Michael
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Never really listened to Queen, so I didn’t see the film. I wonder if I am just a little older than their fans or if I just had different tastes at the time.
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When Bohemian Rhapsody was released here, I was 23. But as much as I liked it, I preferred soul music, David Bowie, and Steely Dan. I don’t think you were too old for Queen, probably just preferred some other kinds of music.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I was wrapped up in all things Soul at the time.
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I am a Queen fan and was gutted when Freddie Mercury died. I enjoyed the film because of the music. I know he won Oscars for his performance and I think you are right that Mr Malek acted his socks off but he didn’t do it for me. But then, I don’t know who could. I’ll probably go and see the Elton John film because I like the music and I’m sure it will be entertaining rather than offering insights into the ‘real’ Elton John.
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I find EJ very ‘creepy’. As much as I like many of his songs, I am happy to listen to them, rather than ever watch him singing.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great post 🙂 This was a disappointing film. A few others have beat me to this statement, but it is kind of a shame that we do not have directors like Ken Russell currently living (notice I said like him cause you know he is dead). Somebody like him would have made this film audacious, but given how safe most screen bios are played these days that probably would have been impossible. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Thanks, John. With Freddie dead, they could pretty much portray him any way they wanted.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve always been a huge Queen fan and was devastated when Freddie died. From what I’ve read about the movie, many fans weren’t thrilled with it, although by all accounts Rami Malek deserved his Oscar. Still, your review has furthered my reluctance to see this. I think I’ll just stick with my fond remembrances of the group.
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Watch a recorded live gig instead, and remember them fondly. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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👍🏻
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I watched a good chunk of this film while in the doctor’s office (I was not the patient). The film was nothing special. I’m familiar with a couple of the songs the group put out, but that’s the extent of it.
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I know their music well, as they were/are immensely popular here. But I found the film too long, and ‘playing to the crowd’ too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I like a few Queen songs but wasn’t obsessed with their music. I enjoyed BR for the performances. Not a great biopic, but Rami Malek made it worth watching.
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Thanks for your thoughts, Cindy. I have seen ‘real’ documentaries that told Freddie’s story better, but I agree Malek worked hard.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Absolutely agree Pete, some great docos on the subject.
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Cheers, Lloyd. I often find such biopics rather pointless, when the subject is still so well-known.
Best wishes, Pete.
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When they made a stage musical using all ABBA songs, “Mamma Mia!”, and it was a huge success, a new era of “entertainment” was born: thin stories filled with greatest hits, performed with a lot of energy….is it good? Well, it was fun, and that’s the very low bar for success…I enjoyed the film “Bohemian Rhapsody” but I also found it interesting that certain songs were used over others…songs that I believe were written by Brian May, who is also presented as an Artistic Genius/Saint who put up with Freddie’s antics for the good of the band…oh, and who was Executive Producer of the music in the film? May!
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Don’t get me started on Brian May, John. He can certainly play a guitar, but the man badly needs a haircut! 🙂 As you say, he definitely comes out of this film smelling of roses.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We’ve got families Freddie.
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Spot on John. Don’t get me wrong I liked the film and nothing against May but you might have noticed it is absent from my 2018 list.
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Haven’t seen this one and I don’t intend to. I loved Queen the band and I think Mercury was one of the best frontmen in rock, but like you say, he’s not a guy that I would have wanted to meet and I don’t think his life story is particularly compelling. My goodness, though–the way he could command an audience. It’s scary. That Live Aid performance is amazing.
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Thanks, Pam. We are on the same page here. The Live Aid performance features heavily in this film. It’s the ‘big finish’, more or less. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I have a few Queen songs that I like a lot. Perhaps influenced by listening to the music of my children’s day. I am not a huge fan of knowing all the back stories of musicians, actors and the like. For me, it takes a little mystery away.
I watch so few movies these days. I am not sure I can see another ‘music’ movie in the theater where I can not control the volume. A Star is Born was so loud I had a hard time enjoying it. But I digress.
Maybe if it comes up free, at home.
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Thanks,, Maggie. I have to say that all sounds very familiar. Like something I might have said. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I thought Bohemian R. was wonderful too, and one or two others where they use the same kind of structures and harmonies, but not much of their other stuff. Not just the music – what always put me off was how FM postured and pranced around in a vest (probably says more about me than him).
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There is a lot of that in this film, David. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I haven’t seen the movie, but have enjoyed the music for many a year. I finally did see the band with their new lead singer.
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That replacement singer is pretty good, I hear. I think you might like the film if you enjoy Queens’ music, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Pete.
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I was a Queen fan and will remember them as they were…..movie is not for me…I refuse to also watch the new one on Sir Elton…..chuq
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Probably a good decision on both counts, chuq.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Maybe if I was younger I would appreciate it more…but as an old fart…I will take vanilla. chuq
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Gosh, is that out on DVD already? I saw Rocketman and loved it, though I know at least one Elton fan who didn’t. I’m just not enough of a Queen fan to bother with this though
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Yes, the DVD is widely available. But if you are not a Queen fan, you are right not to bother. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’m a Queen fan and really enjoyed the film. Rami Malek made a very convincing Freddie in my opinion.
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Pleased to hear that you liked it, Stevie.
I am just hoping that they don’t do one about David Bowie! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Just saw the Elton John one too. Enjoyed that, although his brother says their father was not the cold, distant man portrayed in the film.
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As I said to FR, with Elton still being around, I suspect we only got his version of the truth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Also their father married again and had 4 sons with his second wife. By then he was older and more mellow I expect, and treated those boys differently to how he treated Elton, who was quite a few years older than his step-brothers.
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I like a lot of Queen songs, and Phil has got one of their older albums, but I’ve not been moved to see this, not really bothered, and your review confirms I won’t be. Looking more forward to Rocketman though!
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I can’t see the point of Rocket Man. Elton is still around, so I suspect we are going to just get to see his own version of what happened. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes but from all I’ve read he’s been happy to do the warts and all and not whitewash himself.
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Fair enough. I find him very ‘creepy’, truth be told.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes me too, but I love Taron Eggerton who is playing him 🙂
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Since it became available On Demand, I’ve planned on renting it to watch. Rami Malek stole my heart in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 2. While the main actors in the Twilight Saga franchise are barely seen in a role since the saga ended, it was refreshing seeing Rami receive an Oscar for his role in Bohemian Rhapsody. Thanks for the movie review.
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Thanks for reading, Xena. Mr Malek certainly acted his socks off, but whether or not it worked is a matter of opinion, I suspect. I will leave it to the Queen fans to decide. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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