Originally written by Martha B.
Bohemian Rhapsody is the story of Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, and his band Queen. Known for such songs as “We Are The Champions,” “Another One Bites The Dust,” “Radio Gaga,” and of course the title track. Queen was a British band whose heyday was in the 1970s & 80s (ancient times, I know), and they covered many different musical styles, never having one particular sound. The one element making a Queen song instantly recognizable was Freddie’s voice with its powerful four-octave range.
Here’s the trailer:
The movie opens with Freddie taking the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985 at Wembley Stadium, London, then flashes back to Freddie’s college days when he dreamed of singing in a band. He joins forces with three other musicians to form Queen in 1970. They form a following, tour the US, record a string of hits, and keep topping the charts. The film chronicles the ups & downs of Freddie’s life; his excesses, coming to terms with his sexual orientation, his relationship with his bandmates, and the group’s eventual breakup & triumphant return at Live Aid. It’s quite a ride and the musical performances are nothing short of thrilling.
Bohemian Rhapsody’s authenticity is largely due to Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie (you may know Malek from TV’s Mr. Robot). Basically, he nails it, even perfecting Freddie’s onstage moves with half a mic stand, one of the things for which the singer was known. (This stage custom originated one night at a gig when the mic stand broke and Freddie had to make do with the upper half.)
So what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor & check out the music & performances that influenced the seemingly disparate likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Dave Grohl, and Judas Priest, among others, especially if you need a burst of inspiration at the moment. Bohemian Rhapsody in general, and Malek’s powerhouse performance in particular, will make sure you go out feeling like one of the “Champions Of The World”.
Greenwich Library staff are some of the most prolific readers in our community and are always looking to share their recommendations, no matter the genre. Looking for titles based on category? Check out what our librarians are reading and loving here: greenwichlibrary.org/staff-picks. Or, get personalized recommendations based on your reading tastes here: greenwichlibrary.org/forms/personalized-reading-recommendations.
Get the latest about Library book releases and staff picks sent to your email: greenwichlibrary.org/enews.
Questions? Contact:
Greenwich Library
(203) 622-7900
info@greenwichlibrary.org