On Sunday the 6th of January, the movie that has already become the highest grossing music biopic of all time – after little more than two months on the big screen – caused a major upset at the Golden Globes, winning ‘best drama film’ and ‘best actor’ for Rami Malek who portrays the iconic Freddie Mercury.
In his acceptance speech Malek thanked Queen band members Brian May and Roger Tailor, who were in attendance, for ensuring that ‘authenticity and inclusivity exist in music and in the world’; and to Freddie, who sadly left us in 1991, he had the following message: “Thank you to Freddie Mercury for giving me the joy of a lifetime. I love you, you beautiful man. This is for and because of you, gorgeous.”
Bohemian Rhapsody won the top award at the Golden Globes, Best Motion Picture – Drama, as well as the prized Best Actor award for Malek’s realistic portrayal of Mercury, from his joining the band Queen in 1970, to their spectacular Live Aid performance in 1985.
The success comes amid expectations that the film wouldn’t be well received.
Queen super fans and industry critics alike questioned the historical accuracy of the plot. But while it’s hard to cram fifteen years of the richest nuances in music history, into a two hour story line, it’s also unrealistic to expect a 100% factual big screen history lesson, when you’re celebrating one of the most entertaining people to ever grace the stage.
The makers of Bohemian Rhapsody also hit the skids a few times. Originally, Sacha Baron Cohen was appointed to the role of Freddie Mercury, but dropped out before filming started. Director Bryan Singer was fired and replaced two weeks before finishing filming, but will retain the ‘Director’ credit, as prescribed by Academy rules.
And even the LGBT media are showing resistance to accepting the film’s success, with online magazine ‘Out’ asking the question: “Is Bohemian Rhapsody, the Biggest Gay Film in History, Actually Gay?”
One thing is for sure … the film is 100% musically sound … and with that nobody differs. Queen’s masterful big progressive rock-opera sound, with Freddie Mercury’s unmistakable voice qualities, is something to behold… as they were in real life.
Music is the real winner at this year’s Golden Globes … not the secrets or the stories, or the politics of filmmaking. Who doesn’t love Freddie Mercury and Queen’s music? How many people do you know that doesn’t melt at the opportunity to hear the full six minutes of Bohemian Rhapsody? Or clap with We Will Rock You? Or sing out loud with We Are the Champions?
It’s good stuff … wonderful music that will stay with us forever. And it will always keep Freddie in our hearts.
