“Bohemian Rhapsody” doesn’t break under pressure
By: Saloma Ayoub
Staff Writer
On Nov. 2, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, an electrifying ode to Freddie Mercury, was released to cinemas.
Rami Malek, a talented and beautiful actor, portrayed Freddie Mercury in the film. Malek is a chameleon when it comes to the range of roles he fits into handsomely. Malek’s portrayal tugs at our empathy for his character through the transformative tribulations he undergoes.
The movie captured the behind-the-scenes drama of the band Queen and transported its audience to an age of cassettes, handlebar mustaches and 1980s England.
What began as a story about an iconic band, had plot twists that explored what it was for Mercury when he decided to go solo.
The stunning supporting actress, Lucy Boynton, portrayed Mary Austin: the love of Mercury’s life. She was the only person who saw him for who he truly was.
Austin, although ultimately not Freddie’s true match, was his best friend. The chemistry between them helped Freddie accept his own true self.
The resemblance of the actors compared to their real-life role was uncanny. Gwilym Lee portrayed lead guitarist Brian May and rocked the mountain of curly hair. Ben Hardy played drummer Roger Taylor and had the same amount of charm as Taylor himself. Lastly, Joseph Mazzello played bass guitarist John Deacon with every ounce of groove Deacon had.
The actors’ chemistry displayed a love that although fictional was incredibly authentic. Even the roles of Meneka Das and Ace Bhatti who were seen briefly as Mercury’s parents showed almost true tense care between actors who hardly know each other.
The story is not only about music but about Mercury coming to terms with his sexuality. As the story progresses there is a sense of isolation that dons on him upon admitting to himself he was gay.
While in this period, Mercury gets lost through drugs and alcohol.
The allure of the movie is how it imparts its audience with a sense of youth and invincibility, even at the main character’s weakest moments. The carefree style and air of Mercury lifted spirits while his pain emanated as ghosts of knives jabbing at the heart.
The movie stays true to the epic man Mercury was. Mercury not only changed the lives of his bandmates, but the lives thousands of people.
During the film, Mercury is caught replying to his cats’ inquisitive looks by saying, “Everybody is a critic.” The comment which makes light of his pre-stage anxiety is how Mercury realized he needed to love himself as whatever that entailed, wrapping the plot together perfectly.
The film excelled in cinematography. The high definition close-ups kept you begging for the whole picture, grasping onto what the directors only wanted you to see. It felt like hanging off the strings of Deacon’s bass.
Like any movie based on true events, some details and facts aren’t correct. This may bother any super-fan, but it should be forgiven after all the other positive points from above.
The story was so real and authentic you would forget you were watching a movie and is most definitely recommendable.