I had a request to review this film, by Ron, I believe, good bad and indifferent. I wasn’t going to do it because I did love the film but I thought there were some minor issues with it. First of all…thank you to…
Rami Malek!!
Rami Malek was kind enough to find his way into my favorite Japanese Restaurant, “O’Sushi”, while I was in there having lunch with my daughter. A few hours later I saw the film. I can’t say I recognized him at the time but I had a good feel that he was someone I should take careful note of and he made sure of that. Bravo Rami!!
Audience score on the film from Rotten Tomatoes was 95%, critic score was 60% as I recall. In my estimation the last 30 minutes were the best of the film, the part at the “Live Aid” concert.
Here’s my issue with the film and I guess it would be the same issue I have with films about major entertainers. I think the film wasn’t big enough. How do you make a film about Freddie Mercury which even comes close to Freddie and Queen, very difficult.
The story was fine, no problem, the darn film was just too small for Freddie. Here’s a couple ideas: The party scene with the midgets, giants, etc that should have blown up the screen like something out of “The Greatest Show on Earth”. There could have been a fight scene and a chase scene, more craziness and more excitement. The music was lip synced and that was fine because who’s going to sing that other than Freddie. I think it needed more spectacular even at the risk of losing some of the original story.
Also, singus interruptus: The film is called Bohemian Rhapsody and the song was never played in it’s entirety in the film…ever!!! I know…too long…six minutes. Come on guys, one of the greatest Rock Opera songs of all time…I think the songs should have been played through, not just bits and pieces.
Let’s compare this to “Tommy” by The Who. In my mind why did that film work 100% and this averaged roughly 80% on Rotten Tomatoes (Critic and Audience). The film Tommy improved on the album Tommy…vastly! They got bigger actors than the Who and bigger singers than the who…sorry Roger. It was like candy to the eyes visually stimulating and visually insane. It drew from deep emotions.
The album Tommy, respectfully because I love it, is a bit monotone and a bit flat, the film is none of that. The issue with Bohemian Rhapsody is you’re already using music that is at it’s peak…how do you improve on it? I would say make it visually appealing like “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
Anyway, that’s my hit on it, loved the band, White Boy Ricky, the Howard Stern looking guy and everyone else, good film, really good film…though kinda gay I thought!
Off the record: Freddie was one of the Village People and they say something about them in the film.
Also: Freddie’s still alive and is John Stossel
I feel bad for Freddie in this one, I hope this was faked