Bohemian Rhapsody: Freddie Mercury and Queen
The rock band Queen, was an unparalleled musical group and it’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury, a force to be reckoned with. I recently saw the movie based on Queen’s phenomenal rise to fame, Bohemian Rhapsody, and I was profoundly moved by it. Based on the real-life events of the iconic band, the film chronicles their inspirational journey from humble beginnings to world-famous rock stars. Bohemian Rhapsody follows singer Freddie Mercury's life, from his initial meeting with Brian May and Roger Taylor to Queen's Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985. It debuted in movie theaters across the country on November 2, 2018, with fans lining up by the thousands, eagerly awaiting to see the film based on the legacy that is Queen. The film was directed by Bryan Singer, written by Anthony McCarten, and produced by Graham King and former Queen and manager Jim (Miami) Beach.
I was extremely excited to see this film, being a life-long fan of Queen. Their music transcending time and space, their lyrics both original and all-inclusive. I can't help but feel as if the rock band's mission was to make all of their devoted listeners feel as if they (the fans) were a part of the Queen family. A band of misfits for those individuals who felt like misfits themselves. The group’s stage shows interacting with their admiring supporters, with such songs like "We Will Rock You". A piece in which the fans were literally part of the song. Their stomping and clapping in unison being an essential addition to the very music itself. To this day, Queen's unprecedented cutting edge style with lyrics and music are unrivaled.
The film casts Rami Malek as the legend himself, Freddie Mercury. Freddie, an Indian-British Parsi, with big dreams of becoming a professional singer and performer extraordinaire. The singer blessed with four extra incisors, giving him his unique sound. “I was born with four additional incisors. More space in my mouth means more range.”(Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Raphsody, 2018) Some claiming that he had a four-octave range, giving his voice that unique edge to topple music charts across the globe. “He was very afraid that if he changed his teeth that his particular sound of [his voice] would go away. So he was more concerned with his voice than his looks, and I think that says a lot about the man,” Rudi Dolezal, a film documenter, once remarked during an interview. Freddie’s decision, to not get his teeth fixed, paid off. It’s recorded that before his death, the singer was worth $60 million. And let's not forget, Freddie's devotion to the two great loves of his life. Those two great loves being Mary Austin and Jim Hutton. Mary, his first love, the woman who inspired the song “Love of My Life” and Jim, his devoted friend, and long-term Irish love.
The movie stars Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. Lucy Boynton plays Mary Austin (the love of Freddie’s life and girlfriend), Gwilym Lee as Brian May (Astrophysicists by day and lead guitarist by night), Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor (formal dental student and Queen’s drummer), and Joseph Mazzello as John Deacon (the band’s bass guitarist). You may remember Rami Malek in the USA Network television series Mr. Robot as Elliot Alderson. His performance as the iconic legend Freddie Mercury earning him critical acclaim. And I can attest, he rightly deserves those accolades. He portrayed Freddie Mercury impeccably, surely earning him an Oscar Nomination in the near future. I was awestruck by his performance in the film. I honestly do not believe anyone could have played that role as attentively and spectacularly as Rami Malek has. His devotion to the character a true testament to his ability as an actor. His training for the character proof of the actor’s devotion to the role. Malek’s portrayal so hauntingly realistic, it was as if he had channeled the spirit of Freddie himself. The ending of the film so emotionally profound, so moving, I was covered in goosebumps from head to toe.
If you see nothing else this year, if you are in any way a true rock and roll fan, I urge you to see this film. I am forever changed, considering myself lucky, to have taken a peek inside the life and times of Freddie Mercury and the band Queen.
****Spoilers Ahead********Spoilers Ahead********Spoilers Ahead********Spoilers Ahead****
The film starts off in 1970, where Farrokh Bulsara, an Indian-British Parsi college student and baggage handler at Heathrow Airport, watches a local band who he has been following for a while, named Smile, perform at a nightclub. After the show, he meets Smile guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, and offers to replace their singer Tim Staffell, who has quit the band to join Humpy Bong. With the addition of bassist John Deacon, the band – now known as Queen – plays gigs across Britain until they sell their van to produce their debut album. Their musical style lands them a contract with EMI Records. At the same time, Farrokh legally changes his name to Freddie Mercury and becomes engaged to Biba store clerk Mary Austin. The album hits the charts in America, and during the band's U.S. tour, Freddie begins to question his sexuality.
In 1975, Queen records their fourth album, A Night at the Opera but leave EMI when executive Ray Foster refuses to have the six-minute song "Bohemian Rhapsody" released as the album's first single. Freddie has Capital Radio DJ Kenny Everett debut the song on the airwaves. Despite mixed reviews, "Bohemian Rhapsody" becomes a smash hit. Shortly after the band's world tour, Freddie begins an affair with Paul Prenter, his personal manager. Mary breaks up with Freddie when he comes out to her as bisexual, although she assures him that he is gay.
The band's success continues through to the early 1980s, but tensions arise over the direction of their music and a change in Freddie's attitude. In 1981, after a lavish party at his home, Freddie falls in love with Jim Hutton, one of the waiters at the party. They shortly part ways, with Jim telling Freddie to look for him when he learns to like himself. The band's press conference to promote their 1982 album Hot Space is hijacked by the press, who bombard Freddie with questions on his personal life and sexuality.
Freddie's relationship with his bandmates sours when he announces that he has signed a $4 million deal with CBS Records to go solo. He moves to Munich in 1984 to work on his first solo album Mr. Bad Guy and engage in gay orgies with Paul. Mary, now married and pregnant, visits and urges him to return to the band, as they have been offered a spot in Bob Geldof's benefit concert Live Aid at Wembley Stadium. Discovering that Paul withheld this news from him, Freddie, enraged, severs ties with him. In retaliation, Paul goes public about Freddie's sexual escapades. With the outbreak of AIDS spreading worldwide, Freddie has himself tested and discovers he is infected.
Freddie returns to London to ask for forgiveness from his bandmates and their manager Jim Beach. They reconcile and are given a last-minute slot in Live Aid. During a rehearsal, Freddie reveals to his bandmates that he has AIDS, and they embrace him. On the day of Live Aid, he reunites with Hutton and Mary, and reconnects with his family with his father's Zoroastrian maxim, "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds." Queen's Live Aid performance is a massive success, helping increase the rate of donations during the event.
After Freddie's death from AIDS in 1991, Beach and the remaining members of Queen create the Mercury Phoenix Trust to help combat the spread of AIDS worldwide. (Wikipedia, Bohemian Rhapsody)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Rhapsody_(film)
https://www.biography.com/news/freddie-mercury-mary-austin
https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/freddie-mercury-irish-partner-jim-hutton
Comments
Post a Comment