Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek, Gwilym Lee

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2018)

I've seen it 4 times in theaters including opening night in US. I might see it a 5th time before it's out. I dont usually bother to see a movie in theaters that many times, usually just once but I am a big Queen fan, and I genuinely enjoyed it, especially the Live Aid sequence. Is it perfect? No. Could the script and other aspects have been a bit better? Yes. However, I found it thoroughly enjoyable. Despite some of the sad parts and subject matter, you leave the movie feeling uplifted and wanting to go back for another viewing! I really can't wait for the bluray where there is sure to be some extras such as an extended Live Aid sequence (the full sequence is not in the theatrical version), and hopefully a bunch of deleted scenes and bloopers (this cast looks like they had A LOT Of fun!).
Rami Malek has gotten the lion's share of praise for his tremendous performance. I dont know if he'll win an Oscar but if he doesn't at the very least get nominated something is seriously wrong! He does an amazing job of showing Freddie's quirkiness, showmanship, excess, struggle with his sexuality and his upbringing, and yet also shows his loneliness, vulnerability, and an endearing quality that even when Freddie does wrong you want to very quickly forgive him for it. As a long time fan of Queen who has read a few bios on the frontman, all of this in Rami's depiction really suits Freddie to a T. He was in many ways a walking talking dichotomy and an extremely complicated person to capture on film, probably the easiest part for Rami was the teeth.
But all 4 of the actors playing the band did a tremendous job. They didnt just look the part but managed to learn the instruments well enough that they didnt need hand doubles and could play themselves. Quite an accomplishments as Brian, Roger, and John are all considered great musicians and songwriters in their own right.
I was very glad to see 4 actors chosen for these parts that weren't well known stars already. I get so sick of seeing the same actors in the same starring rolls all the time, and honestly it makes it easier in a biopic such as this, to try to pretend this IS the people the movie is about, and not say... Tom Cruise playing Freddie Mercury or some foolishness like that. LOL
That being said, Gwilym Lee. I mean come on. Why is this man not in more movies and tv series? I've checked out some of his other roles (because I think he's cute, okay? :p ), and he appears to be a very good actor, can do a variety of accents convincingly, including going toe to toe with Tom Hiddleston in Henry V. He bears some facial resemblance to both Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch, which makes it all the more odd that he hasn't had more movie roles because we all know how much the female public love those fine English blokes. :) Cute and very young looking without the beard, with a beard, oh, boy... *fans self* He seems to have good acting range and can do both humor and more serious acting. Tall and handsome, and can act. What else is Hollywood looking for?! I do have to wonder how much movie and tv roles are based on luck and who you know, versus actual talent when I see actors like this, and Rami (and for a while there Tom Hiddleston, tho he's finally more recognized), not have more significant roles being offered to them and yet we get the same old tired actors in the cinemas all the time over and over. Hopefully Bohemian Rhapsody will be a good jumping off point so Gwilym and Rami get more significant roles in future.