4 stars out of 5
It was late 1977. My family went to a record store, and my sister and I were each allowed to buy one album. She selected the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and I chose News of the World by Queen. I listened to it over and over and over again, poring over the lyrics sheet and marveling at that scary beast on the gatefold sleeve. The song “Sheer Heart Attack” taught me the word “inarticulate.” I went on to collect their 7″ singles, double-A-sides for the “oldies.” Until I discovered the Police and then R.E.M. (and Beat Happening and Yo La Tengo, etc. etc. etc.), Queen remained my favorite band.
I love Queen, is what I’m saying. And the first time I saw the trailer for this movie, it really gave me the chills. So could the film possibly live up to my expectations?
The answer is yes!! And also no.
You see, it’s a big dumb movie, and there is a lot wrong with it. There are many “fun facts” the writers wanted to work in, so they regularly violate the Show, Don’t Tell directive. (Freddy: “I have four extra incisors; more space in my mouth means more range.” Freddy’s dad: “I sent you to boarding school to learn to be a good Parsi boy.” And so on.) A Mike Myers cameo has him practically winking at the camera with a self-referential line; I wanted to throw my pretzel bites at the screen. Worst of all, the story reaches 1980, but then suddenly it’s 1977 for “We Will Rock You.” Come on, don’t screw with history. Three stars out of 5, I was ready to declare.
And yet… the music. And the story. And Rami Malek. This stuff is so very good, it overwhelms the movie’s failings. Malek is superb as Freddie Mercury, emanating two extremes: supreme confidence and crushing vulnerability. (No one else in the cast really stands out, though Gwilym Lee is a believable Brian May. I couldn’t place the band’s very familiar looking agent; turns out he was Tommy Carcetti on The Wire!) I had read an excellent MOJO magazine article about Mercury’s early days, so I already knew his family’s compelling immigrant tale, but there was still a lot to learn (which I suppose I should fact-check). And every time those beloved old songs kick in… well, I guess I understand why those “jukebox musicals” are so popular.
If you’re of a certain age, you know where the story is heading, which adds a real lump-in-the-throat element. Early in the film, I was transported back to my elementary school days, and toward the end, I was back in high school. That’s a lot of emotional ground to cover, and a lot of buttons to press. But suffice to say, I had tears in my eyes for the final 20 minutes or so (including one exquisite, subtle moment in a medical hallway). Family, friendship, overcoming adversity… it all builds to a Capra-esque conclusion. And of course the music, always the music.
Great review. Since I’m “of a certain age,” I’ll undoubtedly see and love it and probably cringe in the same places you did, but that won’t stop me from enjoying it.