Bohemian Rhapsody Review - 'Drag'gy Queen.

I never understood why Bohemian Rhapsody was called so. Why was the title of a biopic on Queen’s lead singer, not just … well, about him? Watching this film, I understood why. Because Queen’s hit song is emblematic of everything that both Freddie Mercury and director Bryan Singer’s latest offering is. As Rami Malek himself says in the film, “Let the listener hear what they want to.” So, some may see this film as a showreel of Mercury’s highs and lows, and some may even see it as an exhilarating Queen concert. But, I saw it as a hollow representation of a fascinating life - something that barely scratched the surface, if even that.

Because, Bohemian Rhapsody skims past so much of Mercury’s life - sometimes even jumping a full 10 years, that you are left feeling a little cheated. This decision also permeates the script, where you feel that the college band, Smile’s transition into Queen, is abrupt and unconvincing. And that’s a damn shame. Because the stellar cast, aided by Queen’s foot-stomping anthems, is well equipped to create an entertainer. But, there is so much wrong in the tonality, language, writing and approach to the film, that you come away having digested so much yet so little.

The film, at 2 hours and 16 minutes, stretches, even covering a full remake of the iconic Live Aid concert, in its 20-minute set glory. Yet, very little is revealed about Mercury. We only see what we already know. The story corroborates that of the tabloids of the time, that constantly questioned Mercury’s affiliations, his sexuality and his raging partying. But, for the most part, it is so wholly superficial and inert, that after a point - instead of exhilaration, there’s only a feeling of sheer exhaustion.

And a lot of that has to do with creative liberties. The film is deeply inaccurate, conjuring up fictitious details from Mercury’s past - especially one which is the primary conflict of the film, involving a schism between the members of the band when Mercury decides he wants to go solo. In reality, this never happened. The falsities detach you from the narrative, and stop moving you in the same way Mercury’s complicated relationship with his Indian-Parsee parents and his little sister do. It as at this exact point, that even Queen’s timeless hymns start to tire out and the story stops moving in a linear direction.

It’s scurried and all over the place. Even the oddball energy of Freddie Mercury just isn’t compelling enough. But, Rami Malek keeps it going. He is the only reason, despite his distracting prosthetic teeth, that Bohemian Rhapsody gains traction and soars. He injects Mercury with a humane quality, to counter all that fire and vivacity. The facade, he says, isn’t really a facade at all. Mercury was as animated in real life as he was on that stage. Malek is beautifully cast and Bohemian Rhapsody does spring to life in the second half, when it becomes more about Queen’s music and their iconic concerts.

But, films are not adrenaline shots. They need require a proper narrative and heart to come alive, and this is where Singer, who was later replaced by Dexter Fletcher, stumbles. A testament to that is that Bohemian Rhapsody, smartly so, comes accompanied with karaoke lyrics, lighting up with each scintillating note that the legendary Queen sing. It’s invigorating to finally watch these concerts, or a version of them, play out on the big screen. Then, Bohemian Rhapsody becomes a sing-along for ardent fans - actually, not even those. The only people I can recommend this film to are those that were lovers of the band’s music, and not their story - this film gets far too much wrong for that.

Ultimately, Bohemian Rhapsody does ring through one thing - how utterly fabulous this self-proclaimed ‘band of misfits’ are. It’s fabulous to listen to their songs in the throws of a cinema, blasted at full volume, in all their glory. Rhapsody is technically sound. Its intentions are smart - a film about the world’s most passionate band, made by passionate people, to be watched by another round of passionate people. There’s nothing here not to recommend if you haven’t heard Queen's songs - ‘Mama’, ‘Radio Gaga’, or even something as glorified as ‘We Are The Champions’ in a long time.

But, walking out of Bohemian Rhapsody, as people around me were dipped in glee, I realised certain components of the film work. The casting especially. Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin is surprisingly smart, sweet and strong willed. Gwilym Lee as Brian, Ben Hardy as Roger and Joseph Mazzello as John are all good casting choices - because they exude the same energy and confidence as Mercury did.

Bohemian Rhapsody tries to do justice to its debauched, outrageous lead singer, but it just can’t encapsulate all of his life in 2 hours and 16 minutes.