Bohemian Rhapsody

Please do not listen to the other critics – trust Adnerb on this one.  ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is a toe tapping, entertaining movie that any fan of Queen music is going to love.  Apparently, it has been getting poor reviews from some critics who felt that Freddie Mercury’s sexuality was whitewashed.  I don’t agree at all. The movie makes things quite clear, without hitting you over the head about it.  If you have a problem with that, perhaps it’s your agenda that should be in question! In the end, this is a celebration of the music created by a group that considered itself a family, and there is so much to love!!  First of all, Rami Malek gives one of the best performances I have seen in a while with his portrayal of the troubled Freddie, who was born with the name Farrokh Bulsara to Parsi parents.  Other stand outs include Mike Meyers, Aiden Gillan, Tom Hollander, Adam Leech and Aaron McCusker. Also, the other members of Queen played by Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello and Gwilym Lee were spot on.  But the real star of the movie is the music and the band that made it.  You learn alot about how the group processed things from their beginning, through massive success to Freddie’s personal demons to reconciliation and reunion.  Just about all Queen songs you know and love are heard at some point in the movie – from ‘Radio Gaga’ to ‘We are the Champions.’  The movie ends with Queen’s historic performance at Live Aid in 1985.  Freddie’s life was no bed of roses, and the ups and downs of success, the darkness of loneliness, and the search for love are all detailed in this compelling movie.  I learned a few things I didn’t know about the enigmatic Mercury, including the reason for this amazing three octave range singing voice.  If you are in the mood to hear some wonderful music (and learn about the origins of some great songs)  you can’t go wrong with this movie!