Review of Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) by Lee H — 10 Nov 2018

What a surprise this movie turned out to be. Big fan of classic rock though never stepped aboard the Queen train- decided to give this a chance since critics generally disliked it and audiences generally liked it (usually bodes well!).

Expecting lots of drugs, drinking, a loose rather plotless couple of hours with loud music that would at least be fun for a Saturday - instead found an actual story with a plot that was genuinely touching, multi-textural and had depth. Just as I was marveling at the absence of drug use for a 70s (80s) band, they made their appearance in the film- but not meaninglessly and aptly timed to correspond with Mercury's beginning down a new rabbit hole of deception in the plot.

What's with the aloneness of Mercury? It was the 70's- why would a rich and world famous rocker struggle to find company? Was that representation true to reality? As I recall (and much like today and since) anyone with such assets as wealth and fame always had the choice of an entourage, even if phony and sycophantic.

The interaction with the parents was touching and the father had the best.

(and most ironic) line in the film about the importance of being yourself (though he didn't mean the way he thought!).

A bit of disillusionment as well, like discovering 'bad boy' Jagger studied at the London School of Economics, only more so- that the other band member comprised of a dentist, an astrophysicist, and an electrical engineer? How delightfully unexpected :).

One critic panned the movie for 'sanctifying the story rather than adding to it.' Not knowing anything about the band or lives involved, I don't know how true to life the story is, but I do know I do not want films 'adding to' a story that presents itself as a true story (poetic license aside).

I would have really liked to see, at the end, a substitution of the actual band for the last song at the actual performance- that would have made a lovely tribute.

One of the better films I've seen in a very long time. So many deeply human moments. An extra half star for getting us through without having to hear the Best Friend song.