elton john – NZ Film Freak

Bohemian Rhapsody

bohemian rhapsody movie poster

Director: Bryan Singer
Writer: Anthony McCarten and Peter Morgan
Released: November 2018
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Allen Leech, Tom Hollander and Mike Myers
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Bohemian Rhapsody is a biopic of Freddie Mercury’s life within the iconic band, Queen.

It’s an emotional journey with an epic soundtrack, mirroring the trauma and heartbreak of Mercury’s rise and fall in fame.

Rami Maleck plays the part of Freddie Mercury, and I think he was absolutely the perfect choice.

I didn’t realise until I was doing some research on him just now that I had in fact seen him in movies before: the pharaoh in Night at the Museum, and Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 as an Egyptian vampire.

He’s a remarkable actor.

bohemian rhapsody movie

What I like about this movie is that unlike Elton John’s biopic, Rocketman, Bohemian Rhapsody retains the original Queen soundtrack. So it feels like a more accurate representation of Freddie Mercury and his music.

As I mentioned in my last review, Bohemian Rhapsody is quite dissimilar to Rocketman, in that it isn’t as theatrical or exaggerated. It’s down-to-Earth, which humanises the iconic Freddie Mercury in an almost documentary-style – especially since they recreated the Live Aid concert scene for scene (which I loved!).

I like how Freddie Mercury was represented. Whether it was accurate or not, it was fascinating to ‘get to know’ him in such a flattering light. He seemed kind, generous, and humble with flaws and all, which made it feel all the worse to see him being taken advantage of.

Whereas in Rocketman, Elton John was [perhaps unintentionally] portrayed in quite the opposite manner: as an egotistical, flaunting and intangible character.

I prefer more ‘human’, coming-of-age stories, which is why I think I resonated with Bohemian Rhapsody more.

If you love Queen’s music, and strong, heroic characters who rose to fame from such a familiar and common life, then you’ll love Bohemian Rhapsody.

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Despite his incredible talent as a musician, Freddie Mercury was portrayed as someone like you and I. He was fantastically ordinary – and look what he achieved.

Loved it.

I’ve been playing Queen’s music non-stop since, and I’ve been singing the operatic section on the song Bohemian Rhapsody on the way home from work everyday.

Highly recommend!

Jodie’s review: 8/10

Rocketman

Rocketman poster

Director: Dexter Fletcher
Writer: Lee Hall
Released: May 2019
Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard
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Firstly, I had a wonderful night out on my birthday! We went to see Rocketman at the movies, and it was very enjoyable indeed – thank you Sascha for organising it!

Rocketman was two hours of musical classics, sung by Taron Egerton who portrayed Elton John.

It documented Elton John’s childhood, which I found very interesting! His parents appeared to be very cold, with his nan being the only person to support him as an aspiring musician.

Then it followed him through the rise and fall of his fame and addictions.

Elton John: So how does a fat boy from nowhere get to be a soul man?
Wilson: You got to kill the person you were born to be in order to become the person you want to be.

Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell), the writer of Elton’s songs, is a forever friend of his. I think their relationship was the warmest and most authentic relationship in the movie.

The casting was spot on! I couldn’t believe how authentic Bryce Dallas Howard’s English accent was.

The child actors who played Elton when he was a child were absolutely one in a million finds. They were incredible!

However, Rocketman is the perfect example of why a biopic should not be made while the main character is still alive, let alone be made by the main character – Elton John – himself.

It was Elton’s self-indulgent, ego-swamped, boastful story of his own life.

Rocketman glasses

Perhaps I wouldn’t have felt this way if I had not seen Bohemian Rhapsody recently, which was a humble reflection of the seemingly kind, gentle and generous Freddie Mercury.

In comparison, Rocketman was the total opposite.

So if you loved Bohemian Rhapsody, you would not necessarily love Rocketman, which is a theatrical, over-the-top stage show. Sort of like Mary Poppins: Returns meets La La Land meets… Well, the sparkling razzle-dazzle of Elton John.

However, if you haven’t seen Bohemian Rhapsody yet, or if you didn’t enjoy Bohemian Rhapsody, then I would encourage you to watch Rocketman. Because you’ll have a better chance of loving it.

Nevertheless, it certainly takes you on an out-of-this-world journey, which I loved.

Ultimately, it’s worth a watch if you are a fan of Elton John’s hits – which is everyone! The script includes inspirational quotes, and the costumes are outrageous.

Just be prepared for the theatrics and grotesque flaunt of wealth. An audience who has an interest in stage shows is advised.

Jodie’s rating: 6/10

Cemetery Junction

Directors: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
Writers: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
Released: April 2010
Starring: Emily Watson, Ricky Gervais, Ralph Fienes, Christian Cooke, Tom Hughes
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Based in the early seventies, this film follows the lives of three boys in their early twenties whose lives consist of “boozing”, partying and “getting birds”. However, after one of the boys, Freddie (Christian Cooke), meets an old friend, Julie (Felicity Jones) who is bursting to leave town and travel the world, he decides that he wants more in life too.

They both realise that they are both being held back by conservative parents and living in the regimented town of Cemetery Junction. The film follows these two characters as well as their friends and families, as they come to terms with climbing out of the armpit of a town, despite Julie being engaged and their ideas beyond the town are frowned upon.

This movie is fantastically well made! Bright colours from the swinging sixties that reminds me of The Boat That Rocked and Made In Dagenham. Fantastic songs from the sixties and seventies too, including Bowie, Slade and Elton John. I bet the soundtrack would be worth getting.

The characters are (according to my parents) quite accurate of the time. The older generation racist and with plans of keeping in the same job and staying in the same town, but with a growing proportion of the younger generation wanting more than being in a 9 to 5 job, marrying and having children, but wanting to explore and move away.

It is a refreshing plot line that is beyond an aesthetically perfect rom-com, but an inspiring story of escape in search of adventure. The feeling of being trapped experienced by some of the characters who are trying to break free are well communicated in the film. It’s a very human story of breaking the mould and being independent.

Cemetery Junction is convincing and very well made, apart from the frequently questionable language. It is extremely funny, exciting and makes you long for that era with the fashion and majestic clubs with live music booming. The characters are relatable and realistic who encourage the feeling of moving away from all that is familiar just for the sake of the journey.

A fun easy-to-watch, yet deep movie of lovable characters living in an increasingly exciting time.

Jodie’s rating: 8.5/10