Unwrapping Bohemian Rhapsody
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-Fox Movies
“Is
this the real life? or Is this just fantasy?” It is a fitting question
regarding the biographical film Bohemian
Rhapsody. Are we going to get the facts? Or will it be heavily filtered? Behind
all the dramas and replacements in the making of the film, amidst arguments as
to what should be the focus of the film, the production have presented a safe
and non-scandalous narration of Freddie Mercury’s life and the making of the legendary
band, Queen. The film is an 8 out 10. Despite the spectacular performance of
Rami Malek (Freddie Mercury), the weak points were in the montage of events and
the angle of what story should be told. It seemed like a page of each chapter
was taken, placed together and created a surface level of narration.
Casting is on point
The casting director did a
splendid job in choosing the actors to play the members of the Queen. Rami
Malek who played Freddie has given his best shot in his portrayal. Ben Hardy
who played Roger Taylor, Joseph Mazello who played John Deacon, and Gwilym Lee
who played Brian May in the film were the spitting look-alikes of the original
members. Their portrayals were so on point that during the Live Aid Concert
in1985 I cannot see any hint of Malek and the rest of the cast. It was really
mind-whacking! Aside from that, that acts, gestures, dance moves were copied
exactly as to how it happened during that fateful LiveAid concert.
The
debaucheries of Freddie was subtly shown in the film as per request of May and
Taylor. The progression of Queen’s success is very smooth, the band’s struggle
to break free from conventions were given less attention. Less emphasis was
also given to Jim Hutton whose order of appearance never really happened in
real life. I find the scene of Freddie confessing to Mary Austin that he is
bisexual as not impactful. In that momentum day of the Live Aid Concert, I
think there is dumping of scenes because Freddie has to look for Jim Hutton,
then introduced Jim to his family and proceeded to rock the Wimbley Stadium. He
has to do lots of things in one day. According to the film crew and directors,
it was hard to sum up the greatness of Freddie and the Band into a 2 hour
movie.
Freddie's disease which took his life was not also thoroughly shown. In real life, he was tested twice. On the second test, he had the disease. It was as if Freddie had faced AIDS alone when in real life, Jim never left his side.
Why you should watch
it?
As a 90’s
kid, I have heard of the rock anthems like Bohemian Rhapsody, We are the
Champions, We Will Rock You and others but never had I dug on the artists
behind it. The film had opened a new door for me to appreciate the majesty of
Queen. After watching the film, for sure you might want to go to Youtube and
rape the replay button in some of Queen’s performances or go on a scavenger
hunt for more videos of Freddie Mercury like I did. The film has this hooking
phenomenon that will make you want more. In short, the film is addicting!
My favorite part of the movie is when Freddie went to see the doctor. As he passed by a patient who also had the disease, the patient sang "Ayyoo". In response, Freddie sang "Ayyoo". It was as if they were confirming that no one is alone in fighting the disease.
I am
recommending you to watch this film because Malek is great in here. The film will
not only captivate your ears but will also leave a scar in your heart because
we lost a legend. It would even leave you to wondering why are we born in a
generation without Freddie? To sum up, the film is real (despite the wrong
timeline), it may seem like a fantasy but I guess that’s the art of Bohemian
Rhapsody.Truth is in question but it’s always in tune.
Sources:
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=Bohemian+Rhapsody+photos&rlz=1C1GCEA_enPH817PH817&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=EtDEPKnshib4JM%253A%252C6LRZfDtraUri6M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQwkhZcAwckqBU1mS-9vzFPKbh8Zw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim85ThgP7eAhVUVH0KHWnDDcsQ9QEwBXoECAIQDg#imgrc=p0D1jluTG9ETjM:
https://www.foxmovies.com/movies/bohemian-rhapsody
