Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)




- Bohemian Rhapsody (2018; Dir. Bryan Singer). Fictional account of the musical career of Farrokh Bulsara, better known as Freddie Mercury, vocalist of Queen, from 1970 to 1985 --covering the behind-the-scenes process of several hit songs as well as the drama stemming for a world unwilling to accept the unconventional. Be it song rhythms or sexuality...

Part musical (sometimes, borderline Concert movie), part Queer drama, what you have here is a rather entertaining homage both to Queen's music and to the figure itself of Freddie Mercury. Much has been discussed about how true the movie is to the facts, mostly by people and critics who seem to have trouble understanding that fictional biographies are fiction, not documentaries. To be sure, this movie is somewhat toned down for a mainstream audience. So what, exactly, were people expecting from a Hollywood production? 

But the interest here is the movie, first, as a movie (and it is an honest Queer drama, highlighting people's rejection of Mercury's bisexuality --from explicit harassment by the media to subtle bigotry from close friends), then as a musical (and it is a pretty good sampling of Queen's hits). It is both an entertaining drama and an introduction to a cult musician / music band. Overall, recommended. 


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