Like Queen's music, rousing and heartfelt.

Rating: 9/10 (4 November 2018)

I have to say that when I read about the problems involved in the making of this film I feared that it would be a mess. I was wrong. I am not the biggest Queen fan but as a Rock fan I recognize that they were a very unique sounding band, rarely formalaic. Also, Freddy Mercury is one of the best rock performers ever.
The film is not unique in that it presents the start and rise of the band. What I loved was that it was about the MUSIC!!! The movie does focus o. Freddie and the already known parts of his life. His partying, homosexuality, drug use etc
I do feel that the decision was made that they wanted a PG-13 rating so the film doesn't go for graphic depictions of Freddie's antics. But I do think that the film presents him as a man that was very confident and at the same time yearning to be accepted. Especially by his father. It presents his loving relationship with Mary Austin in a very sweet way. Even though he was a homosexual, she was the love of his life. It also presents a very honest portrait of his last relationship with a man named Jim. Many critics are complaining that the film is to superficial, that doesn't go deeper into who Freddie Mercury was. I disagree. I think that the point is that his contribution to the world was his and Queen's music. So many movies like this focus on the drugs, sex and the downfall of bands and artists. A film that comes to mind is The Doors. That film was great but its approach was different. Very ethereal but also never really showed Jim Morrison as a real human being.Oliver Stone and Val Kilmer showed him as a horrible drunk egomaniac with that despised everyone. Even though I like that film, it is a real downer. This film as directed by Brian Singer is a rousing and entertaining look at a legendary band and performer. We all know that he tragically died of AIDS but the film ends with Queen's incredible performance at Live-Aid. It is one of if not the greatest recreation of a real music event that I have ever seen. Rami Malek's performance as Freddie deserves an Oscar nomination.
Just like Queen's music never really got the respect of music critics, this film is not getting the reviews it deserves. Even if you are not a big Queen fan, this film is worth seeing because of the joy of music that it shows!