Queen biography movie

biopic about Freddie Mercury

For the song, see Unconventional Rhapsody.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a biographicalmusicaldrama film that focuses on illustriousness life of Freddie Mercury, primacy lead singer of the Nation rock band Queen, from prestige formation of the band clod to their Live Aid rally round at the original Wembley Hippodrome. It was directed by Town Singer^[a] from a screenplay toddler Anthony McCarten, and produced mass Graham King and Queen leader Jim Beach. It stars Rami Malek as Mercury, with Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Durable, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tomcat Hollander, and Mike Myers put it to somebody supporting roles. Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor as well served as consultants. A British-American venture, it was produced alongside Regency Enterprises, GK Films put up with Queen Films, and was hit by 20th Century Fox.

Bohemian Rhapsody was announced in freshen , with Sacha Baron Cohen set to play Mercury. Tail he left the project scope mid following creative differences disagree with producers, the project languished compel several years before Malek was cast in November Singer served as director through most follow principal photography, which began rank London in September , on the contrary was fired in December concession to frequent absences and animosity with the cast and gang. Dexter Fletcher, who was in the early stages set to direct when birth project was early in swelling, was hired to complete greatness film; Singer retained sole supervisor credit as per Directors Gild of America guidelines, while Dramatist received an executive producer goodness. Filming concluded in January

The film was released in rendering United Kingdom on 24 Oct and in the United States on 2 November , spread mixed reviews. While the melodious sequences and Malek's performance were particularly praised,^[8] Singer's direction, glory film's portrayal of Mercury submit other personnel,^[9][10] and its renounce of creative licence^[11][12] were criticized. However, it was well accustomed by audiences and became nifty major box office success, grossing over $&#;million worldwide on dinky production budget of about $50&#;million, becoming the sixth-highest-grossing film dead weight worldwide and setting the all-time box office records for nobleness biographical^[b] and drama genres.^[15]Bohemian Rhapsody received numerous accolades, including spick leading four wins at justness 91st Academy Awards for Clobber Actor (Malek), Best Film Alteration, Best Sound Editing and Crush Sound Mixing; it was likewise nominated for Best Picture. Depiction film also won Best Shipment Picture – Drama at dignity 76th Golden Globe Awards, swallow was nominated for the Producers Guild of America Award in the vicinity of Best Theatrical Motion Picture person in charge BAFTA Award for Best Land Film, while Malek won character Golden Globe, Screen Actors Institute 2 and BAFTA for Best Mortal.

Plot

In , Queen wait out of the public eye to perform at Live Go on a goslow. Fifteen years earlier, Farrokh Bulsara works as a baggage coach at Heathrow Airport and lives with his parents and girl. He goes to a cocktail lounge to see the band Brighten perform. Seeking them out end the show, he meets shaft is attracted to Mary Austin, who works at the seek Biba. He finds drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian Could and learns that their contain singer and bassist, Tim Staffell, has just quit to yoke Humpy Bong. Farrokh offers woman as a replacement singer challenging impresses them with his communication ability. Farrokh seeks out Conventional at Biba and they kick off dating. The band plays gigs across Britain with Farrokh laugh the lead singer and new-found bassist John Deacon. Farrokh pushes them to think bigger near sells their van to banking a record album. An A&R rep from EMI asks contriver Roy Thomas Baker for demos.

Farrokh changes his name snip Freddie Mercury and renames probity band Queen. They sign occur John Reid, who books brush up American tour. Paul Prenter, who is attracted to Freddie, manages their daily schedule. An creation on Top of the Pops gives Queen their first dig, "Killer Queen". Freddie proposes withstand Mary but begins questioning sovereign sexuality. In , Queen note their fourth studio album, A Night at the Opera, classification extensive effort into recording Freddie's magnum opus, "Bohemian Rhapsody". Even, they quit EMI when clerical Ray Foster refuses to help it as the album's highest single. Freddie conspires with televise DJ Kenny Everett to first night the song on his order of the day. Despite critical pans, "Bohemian Rhapsody" becomes a global hit, propulsion Queen to international superstardom. Shadowing a world tour, Freddie begins an affair with Paul stand for comes out to Mary though bisexual. She counters that good taste is gay and they call out off the engagement but extreme close friends.

The band's attainment continues into the early fierce with the songs "We Desire Rock You" and "Another Rob Bites the Dust", but tensions arise over Paul's influence break out Freddie. At a lavish aggregation at his home, Freddie level-headed attracted to a waiter, Jim Hutton, who tells Freddie uphold find him when he learns self-acceptance. Paul encourages Reid follow a line of investigation persuade Freddie to go alone, but when the idea offends Freddie, Paul feigns ignorance be proof against Freddie fires Reid without consulting the band, increasing their restrict. Jim "Miami" Beach, the band's lawyer, takes over management. Before a press conference for righteousness band's album Hot Space, leadership press bombards Freddie with questions about his health and lust.

Freddie's relationship with the procession further deteriorates after the poncey music video for "I Crave to Break Free", where say publicly band appears in drag, backfires and he signs a $4-million solo deal with CBS Chronicles, effectively breaking up the come together. He records his solo baby book Mr. Bad Guy in Muenchen and engages in drugs give orders to gay orgies with Paul, however starts to feel unwell. Figure, now married and pregnant, visits unexpectedly and urges him attack return to Queen and have a hand in in the benefit concertLive Arrange. Realizing that Paul withheld tidings of Live Aid from him and has been a destructive influence, Freddie fires him. Confine retaliation, Paul goes public rearrange Freddie's sexual escapades.

Freddie receipts to London, reconciles with blue blood the gentry band and persuades them curry favor play at Live Aid monkey a last-minute addition. He learns that he has AIDS ride reveals his condition to glory band, but brushes off their sympathy, and requests that excellence be kept concealed from depiction public, wishing to perform snowball make music for however apologize he has left. The call for embraces in solidarity. On distinction day of Live Aid, Freddie reconnects with Jim Hutton, Arranged, and his family, and heeds his father's Zoroastrian maxim, "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds". Freddie and the band briefing in top form at Material Aid, performing several hits plus "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Radio Ga Ga", and "We Are the Champions", and helping to increase endowment.

Intertitles recount Freddie's final period, his death of AIDS-related pneumonia in , and the resolution of the Mercury Phoenix Lope the following year.

Cast

Production

Development

Plans for a film about Empress were revealed in September indifferent to the band's guitarist Brian The fifth month or expressing possibility. Covering the period up back up Live Aid in , decency film was to feature Sacha Baron Cohen as Freddie Gofer, with Graham King to co-produce, and Peter Morgan to commit to paper the screenplay.^[25] May confirmed nucleus April that the production was moving forward. He approved all but Baron Cohen as Mercury nevertheless had reservations about the project's possible direction. The band's dealings focused on avoiding any con to Mercury's legacy.^[26]

In July , Baron Cohen left the activity due to creative differences. Avowedly, he had wanted a "gritty R-rated tell-all" focused on Errand-girl, while the band hoped contribution a PG-rated film about greatness band.^[27] May said later manifestation that Baron Cohen had left-hand the project on good cost. Comments by May and Roger Taylor suggested that Baron Cohen was too well known translation a comedian and prankster (due largely to his fictional personae Ali G and Borat), elitist that his presence in description film would be distracting.^[28] Terminate March , Baron Cohen rundle about misunderstandings with Queen fear the subject and events fence the film, in particular, like it the story ought to run on past Mercury's death. He besides mentioned artistic disagreements with interpretation band over the composition donation the production team, referring to wit to Cohen recruiting Morgan, Painter Fincher, and Tom Hooper.^[29][30]

Following King Cohen's departure, in December , Ben Whishaw was mentioned gorilla a possible replacement to pastime Mercury. Also at this meaning, Dexter Fletcher was selected renovation the film's director.^[31] Fletcher cold-blooded himself from the project specifically the following year, amid annals of creative disagreements with King.^[32] In August , Whishaw elective that the film was war cry progressing well and that everywhere had been scripting problems.^[33] Whishaw left the project seven months later.^[34] Rumours followed in rove Baron Cohen had rejoined illustriousness project,^[34] or that Whishaw firmness return.^[35]

In November , screenwriter Suffragist McCarten became attached to description project, which now had honourableness working title of Bohemian Rhapsody after Queen's song of illustriousness same name.^[35] Developing a brand-new take on the story differ his interviews with May existing Taylor, he delivered his lid draft in February A epoch later, Bryan Singer was delete talks to take over monkey director, Rami Malek was weight as Mercury, and the album was fast-tracked by 20th c Fox and New Regency.^[36] Stingy was reported in that Johnny Flynn was due to amusement Roger Taylor and that Gemma Arterton would play Mercury's helpmate Mary Austin.^[37]

In May , Malek confirmed that he had conducted recordings at Abbey Road Studios and had consulted Taylor near May.^[38] The same month, Entertainment Weekly reported that Taylor bid May were serving as masterpiece producers.^[38] In August , Justin Haythe was revealed to be endowed with penned another draft of greatness script.^[39]

Casting

On 4 November , shield was announced that Rami Malek would star as Freddie Mercury,^[40] after the producers saw crown work in Mr. Robot.^[41] Forbidden had to make a pre-recording at Abbey Road Studios, which was sent to Queen human resources for approval.^[42] On 21 Noble , additional cast members were announced: Ben Hardy as store owner Roger Taylor, Gwilym Lee bring in lead guitarist Brian May, brook Joseph Mazzello as bass musician John Deacon.^[18] On 30 Sage , it was reported cruise Allen Leech had been weight in the film to frisk Mercury's personal manager, Paul Prenter, who worked for him chomp through to , when he was fired for betraying Mercury gross selling his personal information accept UK newspapers.^[20]

On 6 September , Lucy Boynton was cast stopper play Mercury's long-term girlfriend, Routine Austin. Lindsey Stirling, Bryce Metropolis Howard, Maria Bello and Ashley Johnson were also considered.^[17] Perceive 11 September , Mike Myers joined the cast to hurl EMI executive Ray Foster,^[21] cranium on 22 September , Priest McCusker was added to physical activity Mercury's long-term boyfriend Jim Hutton.^[22] On 26 September , go like a bullet was announced that Aidan Gillen had been cast as Lav Reid, Queen's second manager, make the first move to , who took elude from Norman Sheffield of Trident Studios; while Tom Hollander was set to play Jim Seashore, Queen's third manager, who took over from John Reid loaded ^[43] The film includes cameos by current Queen vocalist Ecstasy Lambert as a truck wood and the film's editor Closet Ottman as a live Boob tube director. Luke Deacon, son rot John Deacon, also makes deft cameo appearance as a school student, attending the pub whither Smile plays.^[44][45]

Filming

Pre-production began in July in the United Kingdom, colleague principal photography commencing in Writer in September ^[46] Queen clerk Greg Brooks was instrumental hill helping recreate each scene touch make it as true admit life as possible. He influenced daily with Fox for months from the beginning, providing back talks to questions.^[47] There were be concerned about a hundred extras, who were all individually scanned ° opinion digitally replicated to imitate regular larger crowd.^[45] The entire Secure Aid performance was filmed ambition a giant set at magnanimity former airfield RAF Bovingdon, on the other hand in the final cut "We Will Rock You" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" were cut out.^[45]

When Malek was contacted about playing Mercury, he esoteric only a casual knowledge hegemony Queen. To embody Mercury, Malek had to work many mount sessions with a movement mentor (as well as learn have knowledge of talk with prosthetic teeth).^[48] Malek's protruding teeth were crafted impervious to artist Chris Lyons.^[49] Besides examining Mercury's movements, they also watched footage of Liza Minnelli, who was an inspiration to Mercury's stage moves.^[50] Malek took revealing and piano lessons and challenging an accent coach.^[50] He thought, "I had to re-create funny he did on the dart, onstage. There were many epoch I said to myself, 'This is a lost cause.'" Tail finishing the film, Malek articulate that he became a "Queen super-fan", specifying, "I see Freddie as the best performer cue all time I never over to be astonished by that man."^[48] While Malek sang many parts in the film, producers inserted vocal stems from Prince songs as well as load in parts with Canadian chanteuse Marc Martel, a winner endlessly the Queen Extravaganza Live Thread auditions.^[48][51]

Firing of Singer and emperor replacement

On 1 December , The Hollywood Reporter reported that Twentieth Century Fox had temporarily immobile production due to the "unexpected unavailability" of director Bryan Songster. Sources said that Singer esoteric not returned to the stressed after the Thanksgiving week (20–26 November). Discussions began about put back him. Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel stepped in to direct at near Singer's non-showings.^[52] Singer's absence was reportedly due to "a exceptional health matter concerning Bryan slab his family".^[53] With under troika weeks left on the whisk, Singer requested a filming foramen as his mother was fully ill.^[54] Other sources claimed drift Malek and the crew challenging grown tired of Singer's habits, who was reportedly arriving restore to set and clashing peer Malek. Tom Hollander briefly surrender the film over issues rule Singer but was convinced border on return. On 4 December , Singer was fired as principal, with about two weeks draw round scheduled principal photography remaining.^[55][56]

On 6 December , Dexter Fletcher was announced as Singer's replacement^[57][54] enthralled on 15 December, filming resumed with Fletcher directing.^[58] Fletcher next estimated that two-thirds of authority principal photography had been accomplished when he joined the control, saying, "I came into loftiness last few weeks of loftiest photography and editing and authority bits and pieces like defer I was looking at flash complete [acts] in a trade event film, and [I had to] not let it down."^[59]

On 30 January , Gwilym Lee in the know to social media that photography had finished.^[60] Visual effects were provided by DNEG and guardianship by Paul Norris.^[61]

Directing credit

According regain consciousness the Directors Guild of Ground, only one director can acceptably named for a film, boss the DGA has sole insurmountable over who that will be.^[59][62] Although Fletcher replaced Singer refined two weeks left in greatness production, Singer had hired ethics cast, crew and shot height of the film. Producer Gospeler King announced in June cruise Singer would receive the directive credit on the finished crust. Fletcher received an executive fabricator credit.^[7][63]

Music

Main article: Bohemian Rhapsody: Magnanimity Original Soundtrack

John Ottman, a recurrent collaborator of Singer, edited high-mindedness film's soundtrack.^[64] The film lacks an original underscore, deviating evade previous Singer-Ottman collaborations on which the latter has also served as composer.^[65] An official background album was released by Feel Records and Virgin EMI Registers on CD, cassette and digital formats on 19 October Position album contains several Queen hits and 11 previously unreleased recordings, including five tracks from their minute Live Aid performance modern July , which have under no circumstances before been released in afferent form. Vinyl releases (including efficient picture disc bundle) followed talk to February and April The track record became the sixth-best-selling album clasp ^[66][67][68]

Release

The world premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody took place in Author at Wembley Arena, on 23 October ^[69] It was on the rampage in the United Kingdom screen 24 October in IMAX, countryside in the United States crossroads 2 November , by Twentieth Century Fox. The film locked away previously been scheduled for liberation on 25 December ^[70] Need November , John Ottman declared in an interview that contain extended version of the pick up with cut-out scenes may have on released, in a yet unfamiliar format.^[45] On 1 January , it was announced that roughly would be special sing-along screenings simultaneously in cinemas across rendering United Kingdom with the head screening at Leicester Square's Lord Charles Cinema with others upset 11 January ^[71][72] There were also many sing-along screenings guaranteed South Korea and Japan.^[73]

In Dishware, the film had a genteel release on 22 March ^[74] Three minutes of the crust was censored,^[75] including scenes portraying drugs and homosexuality.^[76] Part remark Rami Malek's Oscar speech, position he referred to Freddie Errand-girl as "a gay man, public housing immigrant," was also censored diffuse China.^[77]

In Egypt, the film was subjected to several cuts heretofore it was permitted to mistrust screened. As Rami Malek not bad of Egyptian descent, his Award win for his portrayal contribution Freddie Mercury drew congratulations distance from Egyptian media and government tally. However, Neela Ghoshal of Living soul Rights Watch stated that depiction country deserved "an Oscar get as far as hypocrisy" given its prohibition diagonal homosexuals appearing in the media.^[78]Member of ParliamentMohamed Ismail criticised Malek's win, stating: "He is tiring to [spread] homosexuality among prestige youth The award has a-okay specific goal, which is let down corrupt morality in the Semite world. Rami Malek is well-organized bad example. If he was in Egypt, he would be blessed with been hanged."^[79]

Home media

20th Century Chap Home Entertainment released the coating in the United States alteration DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray on 19 February ; with a digital version loose 22 January. The UK digital release was scheduled for 23 February , with DVD swallow Blu-ray/4K Ultra HD on 18 March The home release includes an extended version of grandeur Live Aid sequence, a record featurette, a minute documentary, boss trailers.^[80][81][82]

In the United Kingdom, remove from office surpassed Avengers: Infinity War add up become the fastest-selling digital download film of all time, advertising , downloads in eight days.^[83] It also set the write for the biggest debut gettogether physical disc formats, selling , discs in its first workweek. It went on to vend , units in four weeks, including , digital sales.^[84]

In class United States, 73% of section sales in the first hebdomad were on Blu-ray Disc, staunch 13% from the 4K Even more HD Blu-ray version.^[85] Home recording sales in the United States and Canada are estimated chisel have generated over $&#;million though of 6&#;December&#;^[update], including $19,, rejoinder DVD sales and $41,, prank Blu-ray sales.^[86]

Marketing

The first trailer foothold the film was released welcome 15 May and with repair than 5&#;million views in decency first 24 hours, it was the top trending video consideration YouTube.^[92] Television writer and farmer Bryan Fuller criticized the lodging for focusing on Mercury's association with women as opposed in all directions men, and also highlighted ethics absence of the singer's Immunodeficiency diagnosis from the synopsis. In preference to, it is simply referred ruse as "a life-threatening illness".^[93] Be more exciting the release of the prevue, Queen reached three of goodness top 20 positions on excellence BillboardHot Rock Songs chart: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Another One Bites greatness Dust" and "We Are righteousness Champions".^[94] In total, the bungalow spent $&#;million promoting the film.^[95]

On 11 June , at CineEurope in Barcelona, an early show of the film closed integrity show, with appearances by Rami Malek and producer Graham Demise and special appearances by Brian May and Roger Taylor, who were playing a concert give a rough idea Queen + Adam Lambert overload Barcelona.^[96]

Reception

Box office

Bohemian Rhapsody grossed $&#;million in the United States impressive Canada, and $&#;million in spanking territories, for a total oecumenical gross of $&#;million, against trig production budget of about $52&#;million.^[6]

On 11 November, it surpassed Straight Outta Compton ($&#;million) to correspond the highest-grossingmusical biopic of all-time.^[97]Bohemian Rhapsody went on to unreceptive box office records for honesty highest-grossing biographical film until Oppenheimer (),^[73][98][99] and the highest-grossing LGBT film.^[] It also set glory record for the highest-grossing orthodox drama film (it was surpassed by Joker in ).^[] Engage is Fox's fourth highest-grossing coat, and their fifth highest casing of North America.^[]

Deadline Hollywood crafty the net profit of honourableness film to be $&#;million, during the time that factoring together all expenses splendid revenue, making it the quaternary most profitable release of ^[95] However, in November , rearguard McCarten sued producer Graham Disheartening over lack of payments, make for was revealed 20th Century Speedily wrote down the film despite the fact that a $51 million loss, fleece act attributed to Hollywood accounting.^[]

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, magnanimity film had preview screenings smidgen its opening night of 24 October , grossing £&#;million ($ million) from venues, with neat as a pin per-screen average of £2, ($3,).^[] It went on to warrant $&#;million from 1, screens cultivate its opening weekend, finishing head at the box office.^[] Flood grossed another $&#;million in lecturer second weekend,^[] remaining at number-one and grossing £&#;million ($ million) through 12 days.^[]

United States roost Canada

In the United States with Canada, Bohemian Rhapsody was movable alongside The Nutcracker and significance Four Realms and Nobody's Fool, and was originally projected explicate gross $26–30&#;million in its creation weekend.^[] By the week foothold its release, weekend estimates confidential reached $35–40&#;million.^[][4] It made $&#;million on its first day, plus $&#;million from Thursday night previews. It went on to opening to $&#;million, topping the torso proboscis office and marking the minute opening for a musical improve take advantage of picture, behind Straight Outta Compton ($&#;million in August ).^[5] Greatness film made $&#;million in professor second weekend, finishing second, hold on newcomer The Grinch, and $&#;million in its third, finishing recklessness Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes arrive at Grindelwald and The Grinch.^[][]

In cause dejection fourth weekend the film masquerade $&#;million, and $&#;million over birth five-day Thanksgiving frame, finishing fifth.^[] On 1 December, it passed $&#;million at the domestic maintain office, surpassing Straight Outta Compton as the highest grossing lyrical biopic in the United States.^[] In its 10th weekend operate release the film was further to theatres over the earlier week for a total slant 1,, and made $&#;million.^[] Clod its 12th weekend of carry out the film made $&#;million do too much 1, theatres, crossing the $&#;million mark.^[] In the film's Thirteenth week of release, following loftiness announcement of its five Honor nominations, it was added send to an additional theatres (for a total of 1,) squeeze made $&#;million.^[]

Other territories

In its more weekend of international release, illustriousness film topped the worldwide stock body office, grossing $&#;million in global markets. New markets included Writer ($&#;million), Mexico ($&#;million), Germany ($&#;million) and Australia ($&#;million).^[] By wellfitting fourth weekend the film was still holding strong, adding inventiveness additional $&#;million from 78 delis, for a running total all but $&#;million. Through four weekends hint international release, the film's finery markets were the UK ($&#;million, passing La La Land), followed by South Korea ($&#;million), Writer ($&#;million), Australia ($&#;million) and Mexico ($&#;million).^[] On 12 December, prestige film surpassed $&#;million at depiction international box office, becoming greatness highest-grossing musical biopic ever overseas.^[]

The film became the biggest unbridle in 13 international markets, plus Japan ($&#;million), Italy ($&#;million) delighted the Netherlands ($&#;million), as signify 20&#;January&#;^[update].^[] The film's largest imported markets were in East Asia,^[] with the largest-grossing market existence Japan,^[73] where it became nobleness highest-grossing film of ^[][] Depiction film crossed 7&#;million tickets vend and ¥10 billion grossed pressgang the Japanese box office, aptitude the IMAX version crossing ¥1 billion,^[] becoming the highest-grossing IMAX release ever in Japan.^[] Take off also crossed $&#;million there,^[] obscure is the highest-grossing live-action lilting film in Japan, passing Beauty and the Beast ().^[] In that of 31 March , Bohemian Rhapsody has sold 9,, tickets and grossed ¥12,,, in Japan.^[]

In South Korea, the film debuted at number two at representation box office and by say publicly fourth week took over greatness number one spot.^[] After unornamented short drop for two weeks, the film reclaimed the broadcast one spot in its ordinal week, which is a final for a Hollywood film.^[] Primate the second-largest grossing market elsewhere of North America, the release has amassed $77&#;million, as type 1 February , and has become the sixth highest-grossing fantastic film ever in South Peninsula, with nearly 10 million tickets sold. It is the about successful musical film ever on the rampage in South Korea.^[6][][][]

The film grossed $&#;million in Spain, $&#;million show Russia and $&#;million in Brasil, as of 3&#;February&#;^[update].^[] In Mate, where the film received uncorrupted art house release after acquiring its content edited, it debuted to $&#;million, setting the all-time record for a National Merger of Arthouse Cinemas release.^[]

Critical response

On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, the hide holds an approval rating duplicate 60% based on reviews, with an average rating of History The website's critical consensus reads: "Bohemian Rhapsody hits a scattering of high notes, but importation an in-depth look at spick beloved band, it offers improved of a medley than nifty true greatest hits collection."^[] Data Metacritic, the film has fine weighted average score of 49 out of , based abode 50 critics, indicating "mixed atmosphere average reviews".^[] Audiences polled outdo CinemaScore gave the film lever average grade of "A" complex an A+ to F ratio, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it an 88% positive best ever and a 75% "definite recommend".^[5] The critical response to Bohemian Rhapsody made it one acquire the worst-reviewed films to magnify a Best Picture award accessible the Golden Globe Awards (lowest Rotten Tomatoes score since Out of Africa in —60% compared to Bohemian Rhapsody's 62% delay the time of the awards), or to be nominated plan Best Picture at the College Awards (lowest Rotten Tomatoes sever since Extremely Loud & Euphonious Close in —46% at grandeur time of the awards).^[][][]

Owen Gleiberman of Variety wrote: "Rami Malek does a commanding job blond channeling Freddie Mercury's flamboyant rock-god bravura, but Bryan Singer's normal Queen biopic rarely lives run into to the authenticity of tutor lead performance."^[] Paul Whitington, prose for the Irish Independent, gave the film 3/5 stars, saying: "Bohemian Rhapsody is not allencompassing on subtlety: it tells Freddie's story loudly, taking dramatic shortcuts, over-neatly conflating events and tumbling most of the surrounding notation to single dimensions. Some neat as a new pin the dialogue's a bit clumsy too, but I must remark I was thoroughly entertained."^[]

For rectitude Evening Standard, Craig McLean wrote: "Bohemian Rhapsody is triumphant amusement. The post-production special effects conspiracy done their job: the Hold out Aid scenes are convincingly magnanimous. The actors have done their job, too, notably Malek, who oozes pure Mercury."^[] For Time, Stephanie Zacharek wrote: "In tavern filmmaking terms, Bohemian Rhapsody wreckage a bit of a dilemma. Some of its scenes compare awkwardly, and it hits now and again beat of disaster and triumphs squarely, like a gong. Until now if it has many quite a lot of the problems we associate sign up 'bad' movies, it has betterquality ragged energy than so multitudinous good ones, largely because livestock Rami Malek's performance as Intermediary, all glitter and muscle most important nerve endings." She described allow as "a movie for sensualists, not quality-control experts".^[]

Chief Guardian explode critic Alexis Petridis described loftiness portrayal of Mercury as "sanitized", writing: "Bohemian Rhapsody is natty film that plays so assure and loose with the relax, it ends up seeming lightly ridiculous: you start out nitpicking about minor chronological errors folk tale end up with your talk on the floor."^[]Guardian film judge Steve Rose described it chimp a "rock slog with put in order troubling moralistic subtext".^[] Although bankruptcy praised Malek's performance, David Bacteriologist of IndieWire gave the crust a grade of "D+", criticising Singer's direction and calling honesty film "royally embarrassing". He wrote: "Queen's music may have bent unclassifiable, but their movie bash as trite and textbook little it gets." He described magnanimity film as a "terrible contemporary self-indulgent piece of revisionist legend, where the legend is each prioritized over the truth, plane when the truth was undoubtedly far more interesting."^[]

For The Spectator, Jasper Rees described Bohemian Rhapsody as "a succession of predigested clichés", writing "you are rout by the sapping impression renounce almost nothing happened the not go against it's being presented." He concluded: "The costumes and wigs act splendid, and the songs remit still up to snuff. On the other hand this homage to a impresario is more famine than feast."^[] Olly Richards wrote for Empire that the film was "a safe, competent, decidedly non-scandalous biopic. It treats the life near Freddie Mercury with cautious goodwill, happy to play within greatness rules when depicting a workman who did anything but." Regardless, he described Malek as "spectacular", concluding: "If the script hits a lot of bum suitcase, Malek is always perfectly pile key."^[]Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote: "In struggling to be in total a salable PG movie alarm of an R-rated rock strength of mind, Bohemian Rhapsody leaves you tinge that something essential and primordial is missing", but said equal put Malek "high on significance list for best film doings of ," as the person "digs so deep into greatness role that we can't think we're not watching the essential thing."^[]

Dave Calhoun wrote for Time Out: "It boasts a film-stealing, possessed performance by Rami Malek, who pouts, struts and quips as Mercury, turning the put your feet up of the cast into bit-part players The movie, though hard and often seductive, is young adult act of brazen myth-making. News and chronology are tossed keep in favor of a messianic storyline Much is left point towards, or fiddled with." He with, "don't expect anything more by a safe gloss over illustriousness Queen tale its attitude be concerned with sex and drugs is demure and uncomfortably close to description small-world thinking it claims jab dismiss."^[] Despite calling the release "uneven," Chicago Tribune film essayist Katie Walsh stated: "Malek keeps it going with his precipitous will and talent."^[] In straighten up negative review, Soumya Srivastava illustrate the Hindustan Times still dubious that the character was "played to a toothy perfection strong Rami Malek."^[] Johnny Oleksinski infer the New York Post was less impressed with Malek's history, writing: "It's a surface-level fair — physically galvanizing, but chart no substance."^[]

The film received disapproval for its portrayal of Mercury's gay relationships. Aja Romano wrote for Vox: "Bohemian Rhapsody assay a movie that consciously tries to position a gay male at its center while strategically disengaging with the 'gay' split as much as it bottle, flitting briefly over his impassioned and sexual experiences and fixating on his platonic relationship walk off with an ex-girlfriend instead."^[] Likewise, Altogether Richards wrote: "There are tiresome poor, strange choices when determining where to focus, not small committing so much time abrupt his relationship with Mary Austin and virtually none to prole happy gay relationship, romantic dislocate otherwise."^[] Owen Gleiberman wrote turn the film "treats Freddie's authenticated – his sexual-romantic identity, government loneliness, his reckless adventures take away gay leather clubs – truthful kid-gloves reticence, so that much if the film isn't effective major lies, you don't touch you're fully touching the essential story either."^[]

Brian May responded bump the critical reviews by stating that the "mistake that critics made was reviewing the preview instead of reviewing the coat. They jumped to conclusions. In the old days people stake their claim, it's hard for them to withdraw."^[]Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, wrote: "Don't believe the critics. If you like Queen's penalization, see the Queen film," meticulous he likened the critics' ban reaction to the film chance the original reaction to loftiness song "Bohemian Rhapsody" and nobility popular musical We Will Sway You.^[] Also writing for The Spectator, Toby Young described distinction film's success at the College Awards as "a triumph indication snobby film critics".^[]

Accolades

Main article: Give away of accolades received by Unconventional Rhapsody (film)

The film, which has received multiple awards and nominations, won four awards at probity 91st Academy Awards for Unconditional Actor (Rami Malek), Best Single Editing, Best Sound Editing person in charge Best Sound Mixing, making deafening the film with the apogee wins at the ceremony;^[] travel was also nominated for Utter Picture, which it lost in close proximity to Green Book.^[] At the 76th Golden Globe Awards, the disc was nominated for Best Performer – Motion Picture Drama build up Best Motion Picture – Show, winning both.^[] At the 72nd British Academy Film Awards, illustriousness film received seven nominations, attractive for Best Actor in uncluttered Leading Role and Best Sound.^[] The film was also out of action for Best Theatrical Motion Conjure up a mental pic at the 30th annual Producers Guild of America Awards,^[] president received an award for Prominent Performance by a Male Artiste in a Leading Role luck the 25th Screen Actors Conservatory Awards.^[]

In the wake of depiction renewed sexual abuse allegations conflicting director Bryan Singer, GLAAD withdrew Bohemian Rhapsody's nomination for probity year's GLAAD Media Award minute the Outstanding Film – Staterun Release category.^[][] On 6 Feb , the British Academy cut into Film and Television Arts remote Singer's name from Bohemian Rhapsody's nomination for the BAFTA Honour for Best British Film.^[][]

When rectitude film was nominated and won awards for Best Editing, assorted sequences, in particular the perspective where the band first meets John Reid, were criticised on the web for poor editing and constancy errors. Editor John Ottman, state of confusion of these lapses, explained stray they were the result faultless mixing scenes that had bent shot by Singer and Playwright, as well as in solution to the producers' notes ground test audience feedback, wishing meander he could have handled them differently.^[][]

Possible sequel

In August , instrumentalist Brian May revealed that nearby were ideas being thrown spend time with for a sequel to Bohemian Rhapsody, though it would fleece a matter of topping description original and could possibly application years to get the play-acting right.^[]

Historical accuracy

The film has bent criticized for fictionalizing, exaggerating do rearranging events in the band's career and Mercury's personal life.^[] Nonetheless, the visual blog Information Is Beautiful deduced that, to the fullest extent a finally taking creative licence into dispense with, the film was % cautious when compared to real-life dealings, calling it "a fairly realistic account represented in a massively compressed [and] edited timeline."^[]

Regarding depiction band

• The formation of Queen was not as simple as describe in the film.^[] Mercury difficult known Tim Staffell, Smile's handle singer and bassist, from falling-out college, and had expressed benefaction in joining the band former to Staffell's departure. Additionally, Lessen had more than three members.^[] Mercury also shared a blanched with Roger Taylor prior disparagement joining the band, and challenging run a stall at illustriousness Kensington Market with him.^[]
• Deacon was not the original bassist, nevertheless the fourth.^[]
• During the recording classify scene for Bohemian Rhapsody, exchange blows four band members are shown recording overdub vocals. John Prebendary never recorded vocals on distinction band's albums. Though he exact occasionally sing backing vocals away live performances.
• The character of Extend is fictional, and is sybaritic based on EMI chief Roy Featherstone. Although Featherstone and excess initially refused to release "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a single naughty to its length, the name eventually agreed to release exodus as the lead single raid A Night at the Opera due to public demand. Chief had in fact been full-strength with EMI since the liberate of their debut album tackle , and remained with rendering label for the remainder appreciated their career.^[]
• Some songs are shown out of chronological order. Care example, "We Will Rock You" was written in , crowd together in as depicted in decency film.^[] The band is shown performing "Fat Bottomed Girls" as their first US tour enclose , but that song was not written until ^[]
• Reid was not fired as Queen's elder after an argument with Errand-girl over his solo career likewise portrayed in the film. Justness band and Reid parted agitate in by mutual agreement leading for different reasons.^[][]
• The Rio unfair Janeiro concert did not rest place in , but by way of the firstRock in Rio anniversary in January (thus approximately appal months before Live Aid);^[] representation live version for "Love support My Life" used in say publicly film is taken from justness Rio concert, and labelled kind such in the accompanying not working properly soundtrack for the film.
• Mercury's unaccompanie career was not a tone of friction in the faction. His solo debut album, Mr. Bad Guy, was released edict April ^[] Prior to that, Taylor had released the unattached "(I Wanna) Testify" in Honorable , and the albums Fun in Space and Strange Frontier in April and June , respectively. May had released nobleness EP Star Fleet Project wear October Queen never disbanded beside Mercury's lifetime. Hence, Live Defend was not a reunion.
• Queen blunt not start sharing songwriting credits in before Live Aid. (Although "Stone Cold Crazy" on significance Sheer Heart Attack album was an early exception.) Their sticker album A Kind of Magic much had individual or paired scribble literary works credits, apart from the opportunity track, One Vision. The one and only Queen albums which credit significance band as a whole peal The Miracle () and Innuendo ().
• Queen were not apprehensive skim through performing at Live Aid, shadowy were they a last-minute appendix. They had released the wedding album The Works in and for that reason toured worldwide. The final agricultural show of the tour was albatross weeks before Live Aid. They were "extremely well-rehearsed" for excellence show and did not accept to get back into athletic as a band.^[]
• Queen performed "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" mushroom "We Will Rock You" close by Live Aid, after "Hammer transmit Fall" and before "We Recognize the value of the Champions", but this equitable not shown in the repertory release of the film. "Radio Ga Ga" and "Hammer penny Fall" were also shorter epoxy resin the film than in leadership real concert.^[c]
• In a scene delay did not appear in decency film but was briefly shown in a trailer, Gwilym Thespian as May and Joseph Mazzello as Deacon are seen conduct their guitars with a curtsey, which May himself claims give somebody the job of have never done.^[]

Regarding Mercury's oneoff life

• The backstory of Mercury's kith and kin was not as dramatic in the same way portrayed in the film. Justness family were not forced take back flee their hometown in Island but were given six months to move to Middlesex.^[] Greatness film also suggests that Legate was sent to boarding nursery school because of his behaviour, beginning portrays his indifference to wreath Parsi background and decision add up change his name as topping source of tension with fulfil family. Mercury's mother Jer suspected in a interview with The Daily Telegraph that Mercury was sent to boarding school dainty India in hope for regular better education; Mercury "kept copperplate strict division between his enquiry and his home all surmount life", and throughout his nurture and adulthood was known optimism be respectful towards his stock. May also stated that Mercury's parents were ultimately supportive distinctive the band and would be present at Queen's concerts if they were performing nearby. Both Jer stand for Mercury's sister Kashmira also conjectural that while Mercury was put together devoutly religious and preferred troupe to disclose his beliefs not in favour of the media, he was swelled of his ancestry in hidden. Although not shown in magnanimity film, Mercury's funeral service was conducted in accordance with Prophet customs.^[][][]
• According to Vanity Fair, justness film leaves out many trivia about Mercury's relationships with Austin and Hutton, "tweaking and glossing over precious facts".^[]
• Mercury did classify meet Austin on the be the same as night he joined the belt. Austin had briefly dated Possibly will, but did not meet Herald until he was already expert band member.^[]
• Hutton was not great server at one of Mercury's parties; he was a styler at the Savoy Hotel who met Mercury at a nightclub.^[] They first met in humbling not in , as depict in the film.^[]
• The film's control of Mercury's HIV diagnosis usual particular criticism,^[11][12] with Jasper Rees describing it in The Spectator as "the most callous reworking of the facts".^[] Although Intermediary suspected he had HIV drop , he was not professedly diagnosed until , two life-span after Live Aid. Taylor supposed that the other band liveware were not made aware panic about his condition until early ^[]
• The portrayal of Paul Prenter was also met with some dispute. Both May and Taylor take said that Prenter's partnership identify Mercury was a source exercise friction within Queen. In rule book Queen 3-D, May wrote, "He [Prenter] was certainly reliable for leading Freddie off leader a different path, and smash down would be fair to hold that we parted on qualifications that were less than good." Taylor said in the Ruler documentary Days of our Lives that "He [Prenter] was unblended very, very bad influence deduce Freddie, hence on the band."^[] However, Prenter's family have held that he and Mercury were never in a relationship; put off he was not disowned hunk his family for his sexuality; and that he did wail withhold details concerning Live Aid from Mercury.^[10] In real living, Prenter did not work hold Reid; he was a ex- radio DJ who became Mercury's PA in , two age after the release of A Night at the Opera.^[] Sharp-tasting also did not disclose trifles of Mercury's sex life persist in a German talk show, nevertheless in a interview for The Sun newspaper after he pollex all thumbs butte longer worked for the band.^[] According to Mark Blake's exact Is This the Real Life?, Queen roadie Peter Hince conjectural that Prenter was fired add to holding a party in Mercury's home without permission.^[]

Notes

References