“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”
…is precisely what I was asking myself as I sat in the movie theater in absolute AWE of the beautiful film that is Bohemian Rhapsody, and the ever-ethereal Rami Malek who portrayed Freddie Mercury so perfectly it’s actually a little VERY VERY FRIGHT-EN-ING! (“GALILEOOO!!!!!” lol ok I’ll stop. For now 😛)
Whether you’re a hardcore Queen fan or not, I highly encourage you to see Bohemian Rhapsody in theaters before it leaves the big screen. Rami Malek gives a devastatingly DIVINE performance as Freddie Mercury, and the rest of the cast does a phenomenal job as well (including Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee, Joseph Mazzello, Lucy Boynton, Aidan Gillen, Allen Leech, Mike Myers, and Tom Hollander). Even the physical similarities are astounding (shout out to the casting, costume, and makeup departments for their incredible work!!!)- you can tell that the creative teams did EXTREMELY thorough research and paid attention to every minute detail imaginable, and I expect it will dominate the Oscar nominations this season. If you don’t believe me, just LOOK at the side-by-side shots of Freddie Mercury at Live Aid, and Rami Malek as Freddie while filming the Live Aid scene for the film (*instant chills*) :
Bohemian Rhapsody follows Freddie and Queen’s journey to universal stardom, and all of the inevitable highs and lows that come with rockstar fame- particularly and unavoidably Freddie’s relatively private & devastatingly fatal battle with HIV/AIDS.
*** Click HERE to donate to AIDS United and/or HERE to donate to UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS programs for children in order to help support research, prevention, and hopefully the eventual cure for the HIV/AIDS disease. Every little bit helps!!! ***
While the film shed a necessary light on the vicious AIDS epidemic that has plagued and killed millions of souls- especially during the 1980s (and is still claiming lives to this day)- I will admit, I liked that the movie didn’t dwell too much on Freddie’s illness, because while it may have been what took him from this world too soon, it is NOT what defined him. Bohemian Rhapsody honored Freddie’s whole life- his dreams, his desires, his passions, his loves, and his absolute fearlessness that made him the immortal ICON that he is and forever will be even after we all “bite the dust.” 😉 His mortal body may have been human, but his soul was beyond supernatural, and therefore indestructible.
One thing that was gnawing at me throughout the film was how much Rami’s singing voice sounded like Freddie’s…I could not get over how damn IDENTICAL they sounded!!! But then when I researched it afterward, I learned that the soundtrack to this film is performed by the REAL Freddie Mercury and Queen, NOT Rami Malek and the rest of the cast. It’s full of remastered and original live versions of several of Queen’s capsule songs, such as “We Are The Champions,” “Killer Queen,” “Radio Gaga,” and, of course, the title track, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and honestly it’s quite wonderful- I get goosebumps every time I listen to it. It’s like putting your heart in a mini musical time machine and getting a small glimpse of Freddie’s enigmatic soul with every listen.
While there may have been some criticism of Rami and the cast not singing the songs themselves, I actually like that the film used Queen’s originals. This movie is about honoring Freddie Mercury and Queen’s rise to fame through their hard work, eccentric creativity, and dedication to their fans, and I think having the real versions of their timeless, innovative songs created a lasting impact of wonder, love, and appreciation. I also think it enabled the actors to take the time to focus and truly embody the characters, without being distracted by trying to mimic such a unique, irreplaceable sound. Brian May himself said, ” [Rami] inhabited Freddie to the point where we even started to think of him as Freddie. He’s incredible.”
And since I was never even in the world during the same time as Freddie, I wholeheartedly take Brian’s word for it.
The credits roll with Freddie’s single take of “The Show Must Go On” echoing throughout the theater; you feel as if Freddie is urging you to live your life to the fullest, despite the immense pain or heartbreak you may be suffering from, and you think to yourself: if Freddie can do it, I can too (“I’ll fucking do it, darling.” ).
Ultimately, I think this biopic was made with genuine love and immense integrity to honor Freddie and his iconic, inspirational legacy, as well as Queen’s revolutionary impact on the world.
My official verdict?
YOU NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE — GO SEE IT!!!!
*Additionally, QUEEN will be touring with the one and only ADAM LAMBERT (“Loooovvvveee of My Liiiiifffeeee” 🎶) this summer, and they are bringing their Rhapsody Tour to Pittsburgh on July 31st, 2019!!! 😍
I saw them perform in Detroit, MI during their tour in July 2014 and they were INCREDIBLE!!! They honor Freddie throughout their entire set, and Adam (who grew up with Freddie as one of his ultimate idols) respectfully and powerfully does Freddie justice without the slightest trace of trying to replace him. It’s essentially Queen and Adam sharing Freddie’s legacy with the world the way Freddie would have wanted: performing in front of live audiences on a gorgeous stage, covered in glamorous costumes beneath effervescent lights, connecting with each and every misfit of the world who just wants “Somebody To Love.” 💜✨❤️✨🖤
“We’re four misfits who don’t belong together, we’re playing for the other misfits. They’re the outcasts, right at the back of the room. We’re pretty sure they don’t belong either. We belong to them.”
– Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody
See the film.
See Queen and Adam when they go on tour (*but save a ticket for me PLEASE 😅).
And let yourself be swept away by the legendary magic that Freddie Mercury so genuinely and lovingly created for us. After all..
The Show Must Go On…✨
Ready, Freddie?
*How I Got Ready for Freddie:
- Official QUEEN tee- * Got it when I saw them on tour a few years ago!
- Black Faux Leather Jacket- Body Central
- Black Faux Leather/Lace Heart Fingerless Gloves- Amazon
- Studded Snap Bracelets- Buckle
- Studded “Eye” Earrings- Target
- Black Sunglasses- Target
- Lipstick- Revlon Cosmetics (Color: Berry Haute)
- Eyeshadow- e.l.f. Cosmetics
“On with the show…” 🖤🥀
Xx,
K
Fashion for Your Thoughts 