By Nick Cardillo
Staff Writer
I liked Queen a lot before “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but I like them even more now. The biopic of Freddie Mercury and the band which catapulted him to international super-stardom is a moving, powerful portrayal of their collaboration, but also the story behind their music.
What makes “Bohemian Rhapsody” both a good film and important one? Perhaps it’s summed up best in the words of Queen themselves – they’re a band of misfits, playing for a band of misfits. A former baggage handler at Heathrow Airport, a dentist, an astrophysicist and an electrical engineer join forces to create some of the most eccentric – but wildly popular – music of the 70s and 80s.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” in essence proves that, as cliche as it may sound, anything is possible. At the heart of the film, just as he was at the heart of the band, is Freddie Mercury played to pitch-perfect perfection by Rami Malek. Malek simply disappeared into his role and after being supplied with recordings of Mercury’s voice to lip sync along with, it was often difficult to find the point at which Malek ended and Mercury began.
Though Mercury’s story was the beating heart of the narrative, “Bohemian Rhapsody” never overlooked the other members of the band or their important contributions to their legacy. Gwilym Lee’s guitarist Brian May, Ben Hardy’s drummer Roger Taylor and Joseph Mazzello’s bassist John Deacon are all given moments to shine just as much as Malek’s Oscar-worthy turn as the Queen front-man.
Behind the camera is director Bryan Singer, who was infamously fired from the film during production. Singer throws every visual storytelling technique at the film, employing split-screen, flying colorful text and montage after montage, to name but a few. The result can be dizzying and distracting at times, however, they remain exciting and engaging visuals which liven the film even in its darkest moments.
It is clear that the creative team behind the film are ardent Queen fans as so much attention to detail was taken in their recreation. Music videos and live performances are restaged with an incredible eye for detail, right down to the costumes the members wore.
Truly nothing can top the emotional, climatic performance at Wembley Stadium as part of the 1985 Live Aid concert, which was presented in such remarkable detail that one is likely to feel as if they are there among the more-than-70,000 people seeing Queen perform live.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a powerful and poignant film which gives voice to the marginalized and overlooked – a band of misfits. In doing so, the film not only reaffirmed my love for Queen, but for all artists who dare to tell their stories through music. A stirring, loving tribute to one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time, I give “Bohemian Rhapsody” 5 out of 5 stars.
