Review of Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) by Jeffrey P — 03 Nov 2018

I'm really not sure what kind of portrayal of Freddie Mercury would satisfy the hell-bent gay pride critics.. Freddie's story was not one of outward pride, or advocacy. It was one of coping with deep feelings of pain, and finding his own way to majestically overcome the hand he was dealt.

.. Sure enough, the advising of the band's original members paints the story with a certain moralistic hue, that warns of the dangers of the life Freddie lived.. While they don't portray themselves as angelic, even admitting to their own wild lifestyle decisions, The film drove home the idea that the rest of the band were a stabilizing force to Freddie's 'shenanigans.' It's hard to argue against this being the case.. Freddie was the colorful one.. The artist. Brian May is by contrast a calculating, almost stuffy, yet budding astrophysicist.. And the sensible heartthrob Roger Taylor was originally training to become a dentist.. Need I say more?

While the harshest of critics see this portrayal as an insult to Freddie's lifestyle. Even calling it gay-bashing.. I've got to know what solution solution they would propose to this issue? Relying on the tabloid exposes of his scorned ex lover to paint the picture? Scenes of midgets carrying platters of cocaine on their heads to fuel a graphic gay BDSM orgy sequence? Sasha Baron Cohen continuing his intentionally shocking antics from Brüno? Yeah, that's just what the pro-LGBT community needs.. another Brüno.. No way that would become any sort of mockery to the man's legacy..

Gimme a break..

Freddie Mercury was never publicly out of the closet.. His public announcement that he had AIDS came only one day before his death in 91..

The primary conflict within the film is between Freddie and a deep sense of shame that he offloaded with hysterical flamboyance. His ethnic roots were buried down even deeper than his sexuality. The film tackles these issues head on. It was more honest about the crippling effects of this internalized shame than the actual character ever was. The song Bohemian Rhapsody is remembered as a heart-wrenching anthem from the artist, who couldn't even bear to say the words 'I'm gay' in public. This film encapsulates his experience.

And yet, the tone near the end of the film could not possibly be more triumphant. It shows Freddie's deep frustration replaced with sequences of finding acceptance, finding forgotten love, and ultimately redefining himself. Five-Stars. Best film of the year.