It took me a while to get around to this one because it isn't on Netflix and it only stayed in the local theaters for one weekend. Probably because movies like this never do very well in Thailand because the population isn't terribly familiar with Queen. It has been a while since I saw a film that was as nicely done as this and I only looked at my phone maybe once or twice while it was one.... that's a sign that a film is done well in my world.
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I don't think it's really necessary to explain this film to most people but it is about primarily Freddie Mercury and the rise of the band Queen to the superstardom they achieved in the 70's and 80's.
The movie dives a great deal into the personal family life of Freddie Mercury and I actually learned a few things along the way. When Queen was at their pinnacle of success, being gay wasn't socially acceptable, but honestly, you didn't have to be terribly perceptive to realize that Freddie Mercury wasn't straight.
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Rami Malek (whom I had only seen in Mr. Robot prior to this) does an excellent portrayal of Freddie and while I can't say that it is how Freddie sounded and acted in person (i've actually never seen an interview of the real Mercury) his stage mannerisms are on point and although he did not do a vast majority of the singing (because well, who could?) I feel as though his portrayal was spot on.
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The movie is tragic, because we already know how it ends, but in the meantime we are treated to some historical information that I would imagine that most people were unaware of. For example: I had no idea that Freddie had such an exotic background, that his family was Zoroastrian, or the he maintained such a loving relationship with his wife even after he "came out."
Although i think it would be helpful if you were already a fan of Queen beforehand, that certainly isn't necessary to enjoy this film. Freddie was a truly gifted individual, as were / are the other members of the band who formed a cohesive unit the likes of which the world hasn't seen many times. They were truly unique both in the time period that they made the music in, and in a timeless sense. There were some complaints among fans and critics about how the timeline was a skewed in the film but to those people I say "go watch a documentary buddy!" This was meant to be entertainment... and it certainly is that
on a side note it is noteworthy to say that Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat) was originally meant to play Freddie, but due to creative differences with the remaining members of Queen, his involvement in the project was abandoned.
On a scale of "Urgh!" to "Wowsers!" I give Bohemian Rhapsody the overall score of.....
