Rhapsody trailer is so promising, but the film doesn't meet the expectation it sets. It's good enough to tell the story of the band's success and the price it had to pay. But the problem is all those meticulous recreations seem to ring hollow.
Sasha Baron Cohen was initially appointed to play Freddie Mercury, and he wanted to get into the nitty-gritty of Freddie's life (and debauchery). But the (remaining members of ) band wished to protect their legacy, and they wanted a movie that the mass could enjoy. A PG-13.
Well. That explains why the film seems like a summary of Freddie's life and quoting movie critic Kong Rithdee "a bullet-point presentation of key moments, without angles or attitude, without ambition or even style."
Freddie Mercury lived an extreme life. He was a Parsi immigrant, grew up in a religious family, a bisexual man, that became an icon of British music.
And Bohemian Rhapsody as told by Leslie-Ann Jones, the writer of Bohemian Rhapsody: The Definitive Biography of Freddie Mercury, it was Freddie's confession. It was about how different his life could have been, had he just been able to be himself. The song was a masterpiece, it was so intricate and had so many layers, but yet the message it contained was poignant and straightforward.
Freddie Mercury had to carry on the charade about being straight, and he had to kill himself so his real self could live forever, even though only in the song.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is entertaining but sadly, is hollow.
Freddie was a generous soul, and he was mercurial, he was wild, unbelievable and utterly inspiring. He certainly deserves better than this.
P.S. Rami Malek performance is Oscar-winning. Unfortunately, the movie is not.
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