“Bohemian Rhapsody”– Movie Review

This week, I attended a New York Times Screentimes advance screening of the new musical biography, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, starring Rami Malek. 

Synopsis

When Freddie Mercury helps form the band Queen, he is unable to deal with its success – but can he repair the relationships he’s destroyed before it’s too late?

Story

In 1970 London, a young Farrokh Bulsara (Malek) had not yet transitioned into the rock star who would eventually come to be world famous as Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen.  Instead, he was still trying to find himself, working a subsistence job as a baggage handler at Heathrow Airport during the day, songwriting in his spare time and attending music clubs at night.  While his disapproving parents were aware of his interests, they were unaware of his secret: he was bisexual. Farrokh’s parents just wanted him to find a stable career and settle down with a good woman.

While at a local club, Farrokh approaches a band on the verge of breaking up because they just lost their singer.  The two men – drummer Brian May (Gwilym Lee) and lead guitarist Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy) – are impressed by Farrokh’s singing voice as well as his ability to write his own songs.  As a result, they decide to form a new band, which Farrokh dubs Queen and even designs their logo; in the process, he gives himself a stage name of Freddie.  Before long, they start consistently booking gigs at clubs locally and beyond. Coming up with enough money to afford a recording session, they are soon noticed by music executives who wish to represent them and sign them to a record label. 

By now, Queen’s records are getting plenty of radio airplay and attracting steadily larger crowds at their live performances.  The success and fame they long sought is now at hand, but at what cost? For one thing, Freddie’s wife Mary (Lucy Boynton) is beginning to sense a schism; once Freddie admits his sexual interests, they separate.  With the success going to his head, discord within Queen occurs and they disband. Alone and lonely, Freddie’s substance abuse escalates. But when Freddie learns he’s dying of AIDS, can he get them to regroup for one last concert?            

Review

Perhaps both the best thing and the worst thing that could be said about “Bohemian Rhapsody” is that it is entertaining.  On the plus side, it’s somewhat enjoyable to watch, but on the negative side, that’s about all the movie has in its favor.  While Malek’s take on Mercury is good, it’s certainly not enough reason to see the film (nor is it likely the performance will be considered award-worthy).  Aside from fans of Queen – or more specifically, Mercury himself – “Bohemian Rhapsody” is not exactly a must-see. With respect to the screenplay, it feels like it could’ve been a made-for-cable (or streaming) motion picture, and a low-rent one at that.

While there are some interesting shots (particularly via cranes used to shoot concert footage), the script is problematic because it’s trite and melodramatic – almost formulaic.  At two and a quarter hours, it may be a big long – the final scene, 1985’s Live Aid Concert – could’ve been condensed to a single number.  In the event you consider seeing this movie, the best suggestion going to a theater that has an outstanding sound system; at this particular screening, there was no such sound system, so that’s something which could also detract from your enjoyment.     

Following the screening, there was an interview with star Rami Malek.  Malek said he recorded a video for the producers as a sort of proof-of-concept to show he could imitate Mercury’s stage moves.  Also, he performed four songs, mostly to prove his singing could be synchronized with recordings during the editing process; the video also included a simulated interview with Malek in character as Mercury.  Later, when he met with producers – including former Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May – he learned they had not yet viewed the video, so they all viewed it together with Malek present. After the viewing, they agreed Malek nailed his interpretation of Mercury.