Bohemian Rhapsody

               Is this just real life or is it just fantasy? Well, I think it's mostly real with some poetic license thrown in as we watch a capsulized version of the life of Freddie Mercury and the birth of Queen. Freddie propelled the band Queen into a super group with hit after hit starring Freddie himself, a larger than life character.  The film captures it all.

              Melodramatic at times and paper thin plot wise, what makes the film work is the virtually transformation of actor Rami Malek into Freddie Mercury. Mr. Malek nails the part perfectly with every mannerism and movement. The recreation of Queen's hits are the best thing about the film and the concert footage is just incredible, highlighted of course by the band's performance at "Live Aid" in 1985.

              Gwilym Lee plays Brian May, Queen's lead guitarist and the resemblance is remarkable. The same is true for Ben Hardy as drummer Roger Taylor and Joseph Mazzello as bassist John Deacon. The film also features Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Aiden Gillian as Jon Reid, Tom Hollander as Jim Beach, and Allen Leech as Paul Prenter. There is also a cameo by Mike Myers. And a special mention should go to the prosthetics department who created Mr. Malek's fake teeth. They are a character to themselves.

                Freddie's life, as most celebrities, has been overexposed through the years and the film does it's best in two and a half hours to cover the triumphs and the tragedies of a life cut short by a horrific disease. Heartbreaking at times, the film is still tremendously entertaining for any fan of Queen...and who isn't?