Bohemian Rhapsody 波希米亞狂想曲

Can’t remember how long I have not watched a movie in the theatre. Yesterday, I went with my friends to Vieshow Cinemas Taipei Xinyi to watch Bohemian Rhapsody, a documentary on the rock band Queen and the lead singer Freddie Mercury.

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The film started with a brief background on Farrokh Bulsara (birth name of Freddie Mercury), how he joined the band Smile where Brian May and Roger Taylor were playing together. Bass player John Deacon joined later and the band name was subsequently changed to Queen.

Being a great song writer and singer, Freddie had injected his virtuosity into the band’s albums and the live performance, leading Queen to shortly take over the world. Unbounded by conventional guidelines and rules, Freddie had also incorporated different elements and styles into various stages of Queen’s evolution.

Besides the glorious parts of Queen and Freddie Mercury, considerable portions of the film also covered the personal life of Freddie: the sincere love with his wife and his only true friend, Mary Austin; his own awareness and recognition to gay; the days he got lost; the break-up of Queen; and how he finally come back to be what he was – a performer on the stage.

The film was then concluded with Queen’s performance in the 1985 Life Aid concert.

Freddie Mercury finally released a public statement that he had been tested HIV positive and had AIDS. He died a day later at the age of 45  on 24 September 1991.

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One of the most discussed topics of Bohemian Rhapsody is definitely be the casting: Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor and Jow Mazzello as John Deacon. Frankly speaking, they really looked like the original band members.

The major spotlight is of course on Rami Malek who mimicked Mercury in every respects: the flamboyant behaviour as a live performer; the shy nature when not performing; the love and true friendship with his wife; and the loneliness when he got lost.

Personally, I like the script of the film and the way it was directed. There was no lengthy part on Freddie’s gay behaviour or sex life. Consider focus was made on his relationship with his wife and the band, something that are more positive in nature.

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I had a mixed feelings after watching the film.

Listening to so many Queens’ songs for over two hours is so enjoyable that nothing can compare. Love of My Life is definitely my favourite other than Bohemian Rhapsody.

On the other hand, Freddie’s life was so miserable that I found the film terribly heavy to me that tears kept on running down my faces. I was so upset that hardly can I speak for a while leaving the cinema.

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If you are in Taipei and have not watched the movie yet, hurry up to get your ticket. Bohemian Rhapsody is on show at Vieshow Cinemas Taipei Xinyi till 19 December 2018.

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