Monday, November 12, 2018

Bohemian Rhapsody Rocks


Some Spoilers 
It may have been more of the production than the story line itself, but Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic of the band, Queen was thoroughly enjoyable.  Critics have assailed the movie for inaccuracies  and desexualizing  front man Freddie Mercury, and indeed their complaints are legitimate.  However, I saw the movie as a tribute to the power and personality of a group that was innovated, talented, and bucked the norms. 
Although the premise is somewhat similar to The Doors, a movie released in the early 90s, a much more positive view of Freddy Mercury in this movie than the portrayal of Morrison.  
Mercury is presented as a egotistical and outrageous, but with a big heart and a desire to entertain.  With perhaps the greatest voice in rock history, and a talented group to match, his band was a leader in rock innovation.  The title song of the movie was so out of the norm for the time, an operatic theme aimed at teens,  a song whose lyrics were clear, but not easy to discern.  
Rami Malek delivers an Oscar worthy performance of  Mercury.  The movie accentuates his ethnic roots as the son of Indian parents.  He was born, Farrokh Bulsara, in Zanzibar. 
The final scene in the movie of Queen playing in Wembley is epic and captures the excitement and charisma of the band.  
The audience in the theatre applauded.  Something I hadn't heard at a movie theatre in years.


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