The rock and roll lifestyle, portrayed in the film Bohemian Rhapsody, was all Freddie Mercury’s attempt to fill a void that seemed endless. A diva, surrounded by band members he called family, a woman who was the love of his life, and a fight with accepting who he was and his sexuality, and a shocking AIDS diagnosis all play a tumultuous part in telling the story of the iconic band, Queen.

Throughout the film directed by Bryan Singer and produced by 20th Century Fox in association with Initial Entertainment Group and Regency Enterprises, Mercury, destroys stereotypes and creates a band of misfits to become one of the most beloved groups in the world.

The movie opens with Mercury preparing to walk onto the stage of their largest, most famous performance, The Live AID Concert, but immediately flashes back to 1970, where Freddie Mercury [Rami Malek], who at the time was called Farrokh Bulsara goes to watch a local favorite band perform. Right after the show, the band’s lead singer quits, which Freddie hears news of it, he suggests himself to fill in the position. The same night Freddie meets Mary Austin [Lucy Boynton], whom he calls the love of his life. Drummer, Roger Taylor [Ben Hardy], and guitarist, Brian May [Gwilym Lee], accept the offer and find a bassist named, John Deacon [Joe Mazzello]. The new band plays gigs all over Britain and eventually sell their mode of transportation, in order to record an album.

The album presents them with a new record deal with EMI Records, and on the day of the news, Mercury also becomes engaged to Austin. The band embarks on their American tour, where Freddie then begins to question his sexuality and question who he is.

Queen, records their fourth album in 1975, which leads them to their split from EMI Records, after refusal from Ray Foster [Mike Myers], their executive, to release the six-minute song, “Bohemian Rhapsody” as the album’s first single. Despite controversy over the song, it became a hit. Around the same time, Mercury comes to the realization that he is gay and calls off his engagement with Austin, but maintains a loving friendship with her.

He then begins a relationship with Paul Prenter [Allen Leech], his personal manager. Due to Mercury’s new relationship, his mentality and persona started to change and the band was beginning to have more and more conflicts over their music. Mercury after throwing a lavish party at his home meets the man who will be his last love, Jim Hutton [Aaron McCusker]. Although they do not rekindle the flame started that night until many years later.

Eventually, Mercury splits from the band after giving in to his bad influences, but after a push in the right direction, they manage to come back together for their most memorable performance.

Origional member of Queen, Brian May, praises the film for its worlwide success.

I don’t usually publish stuff like this. But this is a uniquely thrilling moment. Our Freddie film went straight to number 1 in the UK last week, and this weekend it played on 4,000… https://t.co/0yz0ztrePO

— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) November 5, 2018

Rami Malek did an amazing job portraying a man full of so much pain, confusion, but a man who was so brilliant and gifted in his creative talents. The number of emotions we watch his character go through keeps your attention throughout the film.

I very much enjoyed the film and loved seeing the story of Queen visually. Most everyone knows who they are with all the hits they produced including; We are the Champions, We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love, Another One Bites the Dust and obviously the song that the movie is named after, Bohemian Rhapsody.

The storytelling was very good, and the use of images of the “rock and roll” lifestyle that Mercury used to try to fill his emptiness, and the consequences that came about, brought out very real emotion.

This film could be recommended to anyone who is interested in the music industry, and films based off real events and real people. I very enjoyed the fact that this is a movie about a band that I personally grew up listening to, and I got to learn more about the creation of their music in an entertaining artistic way.

For more reviews read, First Man film portrays astronaut’s journey to moon landing and LANY stays true to their identity with latest release

This author can be reached via twitter @toryntriplitt and via email: Toryn Triplitt.

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