Last weekend, I went and saw "Bohemian Rhapsody" in theaters. I don't often go to see movies, but I was really excited about this one. My dad has always listened to Queen, for as long as I can remember, and I had a phase where I was obsessed with the band.
I was really excited when I heard they were making this biopic, and I was even more excited when Rami Malek was announced as Freddie Mercury. So many people, including myself, forget the Freddie Mercury was Farsi, born in Tanzania. It was so cool to see that the biopic was going to include that part of his life.
Obviously, there were inaccuracies. The movie portrays Freddie meeting Brian and Roger after a gig for the band "Smile" when in actuality the band members met before the gig. When Freddie fires his manager, the movie has it a be a big blowout in the rain in Munich, before LiveAid in 1985. In reality, the manager was fired after LiveAid.
The biggest inaccuracy for me was the timeline of Freddie's diagnosis with Aids. The movie portrays him finding out before LiveAid, and having it be one of the reasons he is so adamant the band get back together and perform. However, he wasn't diagnosed until 1987. I understand why the movie changed it though, to make the timeline make sense.
From the time of his diagnosis, both in the movie and in reality, he wanted to enjoy life and be with the band. While the band stopped touring after he was diagnosed, it remained a part of his life.
I understand why people are upset about the inaccuracies. The movie is claiming to be telling the story of his life. However, the story of Freddie Mercury is so much bigger than dates and moments being reshaped for movie magic.
Freddie Mercury was a legend. He and Queen issued in a new kind of rock and roll, unafraid of breaking the boundaries of what was expected.
And while I noticed the inaccuracies in the biopic, it didn't take away from the majesty of Queen. It didn't stop me from being choked up as Freddie told the band about his diagnosis.
And after all, it is a biopic. The movie shows Freddie in all his grandeur and in his moments of pride. It tells the story of how Queen became Queen. That's all you can ask for, really.
