Bohemian Rhapsody

Struggling with upheld established traditions, a creative singer songwriter enchants serendipity.

It's not that their guidelines are obtuse or ill-defined, their associated codes and mannerisms just stress him the *&%$ out.

Even if he doesn't respond delinquently.

Not at a loss for words, he soon finds himself loquaciously disposed, and boldly makes known his desire to join a band.

They hit it off, hit the ground running, shake things up, let it all hang loose, every member contributing to their success, critical inquiries fuelling their momentum.

Cohesively.

Indeed, Bohemian Rhapsody excels at presenting Queen the band as they sternly work to synchronously perform and compose.

Focusing heavily on Freddie Mercury's (Rami Malek) life, he still isn't depicted as the band's sole driving force.

They wrote so many unique songs, songs that don't even come close to sounding like anything else, not even Bowie, some experimental bands forgetting that music needs to be appealing in some way (Bowie was very appealing), not Queen, who had a rare gift for balancing the experimental and the commercial which still influences today, let's throw in an operatic section, and later write two of the most stunning jock anthems of all time, undeniable diversity exuberantly exemplifying innovative resolve, the film suggesting it's the product of their union, and that no one ever unilaterally took control.

Mercury even critiques his solo career precisely because the studio musicians he worked with never challenged him with the same bravado he'd taken for granted in Queen (I imagine many studio musicians do challenge the artists they work with, but within the film that point helps cultivate its emphasis on unity).

While the film celebrates Mercury's strong character, the ways in which he enriched peoples lives in alternative ways to those promoted by his upbringing, which he still respected, things become very dark when he embraces his difference, as if the film is indirectly critiquing it.

Queen and his family and his eventual life partner (Aaron McCusker) and his first wife (Lucy Boynton) were no doubt essential features of his life, but I wonder if he was as lost as they grew apart as Bohemian Rhapsody suggests?

I'm not trying to say he should have partied as hard as he did, I'm not promoting wild lifelong partying, I'm just pointing out that the film becomes very dark as Mercury's alternative lifestyle becomes the focus, and I imagine he likely made many supportive friends when he came out, many of whom were likely also there to support him.

And were his bandmates as angelic as depicted within?

Outstanding musicians who redefined pop music and understood that music was their career nevertheless, Bohemian Rhapsody pays tribute to their indelible impact while celebrating loyalty and composition.

Many cool cat shots too.

Hardly anyone seems to age in the film, like pop music is a fountain of youth.

Although hairstyles and outfits do change.