‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is compelling and entertaining

BY

We enjoy tapping our toe to jukebox musicals. In this case, we celebrate the symphonic rock group “Queen,” including their genesis, unconventional music and especially their charismatic front man, Freddie Mercury. The title, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” is taken from their single, one of the best selling songs of all time.

The movie tagline is, “The music you know, the story you don’t.” For one of the most popular rock groups, it’s surprising how little we know. As this biopic is not a pure documentary, screenwriter Anthony McCarten (“Darkest Hour”) takes a little (too much?) creative license for Queen fans, but the essence of the story is compelling and the music electrifying. Even if not a Queen fan, this movie is compelling and entertaining.

Rami Malek (“Mr. Robot”) nails the part of Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzabar, raised in India and moved to London with his family as refugees. Initially, Malek was not familiar with Queen, but listened to every song, watched all their videos and painstakingly studied with choreographer Polly Bennett to perfect every nuance of Freddie’s mannerisms, eye glance, body turn, cocky strut and microphone flick.

With outrageous outfits, Freddie defied stereotypes to become a most unique and remarkable entertainer. Beginning in 1970, the film traces the meteoric rise of Queen through their iconic songs, revolutionary instrumentation and vocal harmonies. They reached unparalleled success but suffered many of the stereotypical rock group challenges in their personal lives, including arrogance, sex, drugs and alcohol.

The lead role was originally offered to Sacha Baron Cohen, but the remaining band members, who served as producers, felt Cohen’s comedic persona would not do justice to the serious drama of Mercury rising (and falling). Director Bryan Singer (“X-Men” series) was fired toward the end due to erratic behavior and replaced by Dexter Fletcher.

We knew this film might be different when the opening 20th Century Fox trumpet fanfare was performed instead on electric guitar and drums. The period music captures a cultural era as we’re treated to a litany of memorably bombastic Queen tunes, played in the background of story development, in the studio and on the raucous concert stage.

The band (played by Gwilyn Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzelo) play their own instruments while Malek sang the vocals, but the filmmakers seamlessly overlaid the scenes with a backup band tract, some Mercury recordings and with singer Marc Martel (no relation to Reel People). The cast does sing and plays “Another One Bites the Dust.”

The characters are convincing as they create Freddie’s signature song. His drummer is ordered to repeatedly sing in falsetto. Exasperated, he asks, “How many more Galileo’s do you want?” Freddie responds, “Oh, this is when the operatic section comes in.” Their record producer asks, “What on earth is it about? Scaramouche? Galileo? Beelzebub? And that Ismallah business?” Freddie calmly responds, “Bismallah.”

Most knew Freddie struggled with his own sexuality but few knew he was married to the love of his life. He insisted, “I am exactly the person I was always meant to be.” Battling his personal demons, the story leads to a moving climax with Queen performing at the Live Aid concert, generally regarded as one of the most exciting performances ever.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is 134 minutes and rated PG-13 for thematic elements, drugs, suggestive material and language. Roundly panned by critics, two of Queen’s most theatric and successful albums were “Night at the Opera” and “Day at the Races.” Both were titles of Marx Brothers movies (ask your grandparents).

Freddie was born with four additional incisors and a set of buckteeth that could nibble a nickel out of a Coke bottle. This provided a vocal resonance that separated him from good and even great rock singers. His voice was exceptionally stunning and stage performance legendary. He died tragically of an AIDS-related illness in 1991 at age 45 but kept fighting to the end. Long live the “Queen!”

Ratings: Ron A-
Leigh B+