Review By Kalvin (Birmingham, AL, USA)
Queen is, without a doubt, one of the biggest rock bands in history. Therefore, when fans around the world heard about the upcoming biopic, we were both excited and apprehensive. Of course we couldn’t wait to relive some of the bands most iconic moments, like their Live Aid performance in 1985, but we were also quite worried that the movie might not do justice to the band and its leader, Freddie Mercury. Although there were some inconsistencies in the band’s history, overall, the movie was a beautiful look through the history of the band and its members.
The main cast, Rami Malek (as Freddie Mercury), Joe Mazzello (as John Deacon), Ben Hardy (as Roger Taylor), Gwilym Lee (as Brian May), and Lucy Boynton (as Mary Austin) did an incredible job portraying their characters. Malek was able to capture everything about Mercury’s essence, the energy he radiated on stage and off. One can tell, during the scenes where the band is on stage, that Malek is not only copying Mercury’s dance moves, but recreating them with his own flair.
Roger Taylor had a very specific and recognizable style of drumming, and Ben Hardy was able to replicate this very well. He even learned one of Taylor’s most difficult drum solos, at the request of Taylor himself. Mazzello and Lee both look remarkably similar to the people they were portraying. They were also able to replicate the mannerisms of Deacon and May quite well. The biopic was a very emotional experience for many watching it, even though it was quite fast paced.
The costuming was also quite impressive, especially for Mercury. The costume director, Julian Day, did quite an impressive job recreating many of Freddie’s most iconic, outrageous costumes, and the more reasonable outfits of his later career, like his simple Live Aid costume.
Though the movie did a fabulous job with many parts of the movie, there were most certainly some faults in the biopic. One of the most notable of these are the timeline inconsistencies. Another fault was the way that movie portrayed Mercury and Mary Austin as the main couple of the movie, when in reality, Mercury and Jim Hutton were together for many years, and Hutton was at Mercury’s bedside when he passed. The film also portrayed Austin as, frankly, much less problematic than she was in real life, according to Mercury’s last partner, Jim Hutton.
Though this movie most definitely had some faults in it, overall I personally enjoyed it very much. It was an emotional, heart wrenching film about one of the most iconic musical groups of all time, and despite the faults, I think Mercury himself would be proud.
Rating: 4/5
Bohemian Rhapsody was one of the most engaging and charismatic movie performances I have ever seen. Scenes made me feel as if I were at Live Aid, or in the movie itself. Rami Malek captured perfectly the essence and feeling Freddy Mercury put on people. His attitude and side-comment humor made for a laugh even in fighting scenes. So many emotions, especially concerning Freddy and his sexuality, you could feel the held-back confusion and what led him to drug and alcohol abuse. With this movie, viewers took a step into his life and the travesties of it. Moving, powerful, emotional movie with great message and a great sense of togetherness and the worth of being with a united audience and friends.
Rating: 5/5
12 Dec 2018 Hi all, and warm holiday greetings !! I want to say that the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, the story of Freddie Mercury and his band Queen, is one of the best movies I’ve seen in many years. This is because, while I have always loved Freddie Mercury’s music, I’ve never known any of his personal story, except that he died of AIDS. Thanks to my seeing this movie, I now know that he was of Persian / Zoroastrian ancestry, and that, a thousand years ago, his ancestors were “chased out of Persia by the Muslims with the shirts on their backs” as his mother describes it. Regarding his music: I thought that they would show the iconic scene where actual fat-bottomed women ride bicycles onto the stage in response to the order: “GET ON YR BIKES AND RIDE” at the end of a song, but they didn’t. Surely it’s on YouTube … Near the end, after his life has turned tragic, his singing of “Nothing really matters, to meee .. ” brought tears to my eyes, as did his triumphal “We are the Champions of the World, My Friend, … ” I’m happy to read that, according to Wikipedia: “Upon its release in November 2018, the biographical film about Mercury and Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, became the highest-grossing musical biographical film of all time.” Surely one might easily consider BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY to be best film of the year !! I like how Freddie describes the fact that he has four extra canine teeth, near the start of the movie. I give Bohemian Rhapsody five stars ***** With kind regards, Mark Creek-water Dorazio, amateur film critic.
Rating: 5/5
“We’re all legends” – Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury; Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) Bohemian Rhapsody is a full of inspiration. It goes through the hardships of Freddie Mercury and how they effected the band as a whole. It begins showing how the band was formed and shows Queen through the years and how their fan base and music grew and evolved. It also takes a dive into his personal life from his family, to his love life and sexuality, his drug use, to even his battle with Aids. This is not an action packed movie and parts of it were a little slow but overall it was still very entertaining. This movie is full of music and Rami Malek did a great job performing and capturing Freddie’s witty sense of humor, his mannerisms, and his style. This movie will make you laugh, cry, but most importantly this movie will inspire you. I would highly recommend for everyone to go and see this movie. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: 4/5
Towards the end of the movie, when Freddie says something like I am going to be who I was born to be..is that the quote? I think it’s in reference to not wanting to be identified by his illness but by his art…
This is what he says:
“I don’t have time to be their victim, their AIDS poster boy, their cautionary tale. No, I decide who I am. I’m going to be what I was born to be, a performer, to give the people what they want.”
Mary Austin: What do you want from me?
Freddie Mercury: Almost everything.
Can someone tell us the exact quote? Freddie talking to Mary, “When I have them. When I know that they are listening. Then I can’t sing off-key to save my life. I can do anything.”
Freddie:”I think he’s Gay”
I remember that quote in the movie, without the “I can’t sing off-key to save my life.” With kind regards, Mark Creek-water Dorazio, amateur film critic
Bohemian Rhapsody Billed as the best thing since sliced cheese cake (I don’t like bread) & I hoped this wasn’t another fake takeaway. It’s raw, rampant & illuminated by a flamboyant lead singer. It portrays Queens conception, evolution, rise & eventual demise. Freddie’s tense relationship with his father leads him to seek new pleasurable pastures elsewhere as he begins to milk a groups breakup. Freddie puts a smile on the faces of a group that’s just lost its lead singer but the new swinger is instantly a winner! The bohemian behaviour of Freddie is illuminated & is the catalyst for the groups evolution. His effervescence is the hydration of the group as the experimental rock band witness a meteoric rise to fame.
Freddie’s enigmatic behaviour in promoting the single Bohemian Rhapsody bears fruit as the group begins to juice the no 1 spot on top of the pops. The groups rocky road to success is not always blessed as friction & cracks appear to tear it apart as some persona darts are bent on splitting it apart. The cost of stardom has its price too as black shadows begin to murk the green meadows! The cooperate wheel begins to steel the soul of the group as it gropes at the leader with money feeder temptations that eventually succumbs Freddie’s resistance as he gives into their persistence. Freddie’s isolation leads to internal violation & soon the spoon of consciousness is no longer the boon as he realises too late that he’s been surrounded by buffoons. The goons repeated deceit is the final straw as he draws a line & declines their company to return home to the real symphony.
The Grand finale in the face of Freddie’s AIDS declaration was the inspiration for the group to appear on live aid. The bands performance was ranked as the highlight of the live show that was broadcast worldwide. The queen legacy will live long in the memory as long as the rock lane is open. From rock to frock Queen will always illuminate the ticking clock! Kam copyleftorright 2018
Rating: 3/5
In one point Freddie is referring to Humanity as something that need to be sedated..?
In classic Queen tradition, in this year’s Christmas purchasing cycle we are bequeathed a new Queen release. For Queen music affectianadia this is a tour de force, containing songs or teases of songs, such as “Good Old Fashioned Loverboy,” “I’m in Love With My Car,” “My Fairy King,” “Doing Alright” which didn’t chart in the US and weren’t commonly played by the band on major tours. Queen was a rock band, and the beefy sound system of a good theatre did the music justice. The movie alleges, as if it were possible in PG-13 format, to relate the larger than life, Mae West style over the top story of one overflowingly talented Zoastrian Farrokh Bulsara, known to 99% of theatregoers as Freddie Mercury. A man whose voice, pen and musical acumen are well conveyed in this biopic. Critical reviews of this movie were not satisfied with the movie’s amount of gay coverage of Freddie’s life. But there was no hiding Freddie’s lifestyle here.
In one of the later scenes, Freddie admits to his bandmates, excellent supporting imitations of Englishmen Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, that they have families while he has maintained his lifestyle trajectory. The backstabbing and bickering that add to the pressures of creating music that the public will purchase is well expressed, as Freddie fires a long time manager without consulting his band family. The creativity of the band Queen, who prided themselves on traditional rock, ala, “no synthesizers,” and the behind the scenes production of music on state of the 1970’s art equipment are well captured. While Freddie gets most of the face time, the supporting cast includes a nonstop wardrobe of statement clothing and heroic music bowling you over with “Hammer to Fall,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Now I’m Here,” “Killer Queen,” and the epic, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Four stars for the music, the inside story, and the memories. One additional comment. Those who arrived early were flagellated with a trailer for a comedy of Sherlock Holmes and a bumbling Dr. Watson who are entrusted with Queen Victoria’s life. God Save The Queen.
Rating: 4/5
What is Freddie Mercury quote after band tells him there is no roof at Whembley Stadium?
Then we make a whole in sky
When Freddie told his personal manager to leave he said something like a fruit fly Can you finish the statement please?
About being a rotten fruit. Fruit flies like to go to rotten fruits. Freddie being the rotten fruit and Paul the fruitfly.
You know when you know you’ve gone rotten.Really rotten.. Fruit flies. Dirty little fruit flies, coming to feast on what’s left. Well there isn’t much left for you to feast on anymore. (Under Pressure begins) So fly off ! Do what you like with your photographs and your stories. But promise me one thing. Is that I never see your face again.
You know when you know you’ve gone rotten, really rotten… Fruit flies. Dirty little fruit flies, coming to feast on what’s left. Well there isn’t much left for you to feast on anymore. (Under Pressure begins) So fly off ! Do what you like with your photographs and your stories. But promise me one thing, is that I never see your face again, ever.
When he’s late and say’s hes an artist.
Ja when he’s late he says ‘I’m not a Swiss train conductor’ 😀
I want to know the line between he and his father before he leave house.
Good thoughts, Good Words Good deeds. That’s what you thought me papa. (these are the core belief for Zoroastrians)
Freddy and jim hutton just met- are talking…freddy says something like “they’re not friends-they’re just distractions….”
Please finish the statement.
This could be the quote you’re looking for:
Jim Hutton: So all your friends have left you alone.
Freddie Mercury: They’re not my friends, not really. They’re distractions.
Jim Hutton: From what?
Freddie Mercury: The in between moments I suppose. I find me intolerable. All of the darkness you thought you’d left behind comes creeping back in.
Jim Hutton: I know what you mean.