Many know “Bohemian Rhapsody” as one of Queen’s most famous songs; however, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is also a movie that follows Freddie Mercury, portrayed by Rami Malek, and his rise to fame after joining Brian May and Roger Taylor to form the band Queen. Brian and Roger were members of a band called “Smile” during their college days. When the lead singer of “Smile” left, Mercury seized the opportunity to step in as the replacement, a decision that would cement their place in history as one of the greatest bands of all time.
The movie exhibits Queen’s journey from starting small to becoming globally known. But, at the center, it is about Freddie Mercury’s personal journey. We see him grow from a shy guy named Farrokh Bulsara into the flamboyant rock star we know. The movie dives into Mercury’s character, showing his charisma onstage, his struggle with being alone and his rejection of society’s norms. The last scene of the movie—the Live Aid scene—highlights Queen’s exciting performance. The captivating energy of Mercury’s stage presence mesmerizes the audience, creating a moment that is both powerful and unforgettable. However, behind the scenes, there was tension within the band. Mercury made a decision to leave the band and pursue a solo project to create two albums, which led to aggravation among the members. Meanwhile, Mercury battled a devastating realization: he had AIDS, a disease that had no cure at the time. Despite the challenges, Mercury reconnected with the band just in time for the Live Aid concert.
I still remember the excitement of the first time my mom and I decided to watch “Bohemian Rhapsody” together. I had seen snippets of the movie for a few months before and finally remembered to tell my mom about it. So, one day, we decided to give it a go. We found it on Peacock and settled in for what turned out to be a memorable movie night. From the moment the film began, we were both hooked. The energy of Queen’s music filled the room and instantly drew us in. Freddie Mercury’s opening performance in the beginning really caught our attention with his fascinating stage presence, which set the tone for the rest of the movie. The story, the music, the characters—everything about it just resonated with us. But what struck us most was the accuracy the actors resembled the actual band members. It was as if Freddie, Brian, Roger and John had been brought back to life on screen. As the credits rolled, we exchanged glances, both knowing we had just stumbled across something special.
The next evening, when we were browsing for something to watch, I jokingly suggested we rewatch “Bohemian Rhapsody.” To my surprise, my mom was totally on board. Little did we realize, our timing couldn’t have been better. We learned that the movie was set to leave Peacock in the next nine days. We decided to make the most of it. We ended up watching it again that night, and then again the night after that. Each time we watched, it felt like discovering something new, some detail we hadn’t noticed before. In the end, we watched it a total of six times before it left Peacock.
Back in the day, Freddie Mercury faced the challenge of hiding who he was, specifically his sexuality. He coped with this struggle through a variety of things, including pills and his energetic performances that mesmerized audiences worldwide. Behind the dazzling facade of concerts and chart-topping hits, Mercury struggled with his personal battles, hiding his true self from the public eye. Mercury appeared confident to the public; however, there were moments when his lyrics hinted at the struggle he faced within himself. He often held back from fully expressing himself due to the fear of criticism and judgment from the public.
It’s fascinating to think how Freddie Mercury’s experience might have been different if he existed in the music industry in today’s more accepting atmosphere. In today’s world, there’s certainly a greater level of acceptance and diversity regarding sexual orientation. Artists are often encouraged to fully embrace their true selves and openly share their personal experiences and lives with their audience. If Mercury was alive and active today, he might have felt more comfortable to openly express his sexuality without fear of judgment or backlash. This could have led to a more genuine expression of his identity both in his personal life and through his music. With support from fans, Mercury might have found more acceptance, maybe even experiencing fewer internal problems and relying less on coping mechanisms like pills. In the end, “Bohemian Rhapsody” not only changed my mom’s and my perspective on life but it gave us a glance into Freddie Mercury’s life. And for that, I give “Bohemian Rhapsody” a five out of five stars.
