Whilst writing my Doctor Who reviews, I unfortunately overlooked a number of films that I didn't have the time to take a look at. To make up for that, I'm intending to do another collection of capsule reviews to catch up on everything I missed. However, there are also a few films I want to give full reviews to. Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born are the first two I want to tackle and I've decided to review them together. As always, laziness (I mean, uh, efficiency) certainly plays a part in combining their reviews. However, I also think these two work very well alongside each other. Both of them are massively successful sort-of-musicals following the career trajectory of a lavish rock star. However, they both go about it in intriguingly different ways and the reception each film has received has been noticeably different. In other words, it's the perfect mix of similarities and contrasts for a side-by-side review!
The most notable contrast between Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born concerns authenticity. Bohemian Rhapsody is, certainly theoretically, more authentic than A Star is Born. Based on the actual life of Freddie Mercury and his actual experiences in the actual band Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody is a biopic that naturally has some basis in reality. A Star is Born, on the other hand, is the fourth iteration of the classic Hollywood romance that dates back to 1937. You can't really get much more detached from reality than a golden age Hollywood musical, can you? Intriguingly, the actual experience of watching these films ends up feeling like the reverse. Bohemian Rhapsody is very much the spectacle, whereas this version of A Star is Born is thoroughly grounded in gritty drama. Neither of these approaches is necessarily better or worse than the other, but the latter certainly has more opportunity for richer depth.
The reason these two films are as they are primarily comes down to the portrayals of their characters. This doesn't have anything to do with the quality of the performances. In both films, the casts do a stellar job. Rami Malek is quite astonishing as Freddie Mercury, bringing the singer to life in a way that evokes his famous flamboyance without neglecting his humanity. The rest of Queen, whilst not focused on in as much detail, are also embodied well (and in the case of Gwilym Lee as Brian May, scarily convincingly). Meanwhile, A Star is Born's two leads are just as strong. Bradley Cooper has quite firmly established his acting chops at this point, with four Academy Award nominations under his belt. Still, his portrayal of the falling rockstar in A Star is Born is undeniably arresting. However, Lady Gaga has rightfully received most of the attention for the incredible way she transforms herself from one of the biggest pop stars in the world into a convincing waitress who can only get gigs at a drag bar.
Instead, the differences lie more in how the characters are written. Naturally, Freddie Mercury is the character in Bohemian Rhapsody explored with the most depth. Certainly by the third act we get a number of insights into his struggles with rockstar excess, but it takes a while for the film to get there and it feels like a lot of the time Malek is doing the heavy lifting. The rest of Queen are barely characters at all, despite how well they're played. Considering their role as producers, Brian May and Roger Taylor are written especially blandly. May is presented as a perfect angel and Taylor's only character flaw is that he wrote I'm in Love With My Car. The general focus tends to be on enjoyable but rather anecdotal retellings of how Queen songs were made, which the film attempts to squeeze in as many as possible so they're all on the soundtrack. The brief detours for character development are rather good, they're just not enough of a priority.
A Star is Born, on the other hand, is entirely defined by character. Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody, the songs aren't what drive the film, they're just there to enhance the development of the characters. The characters themselves are written with great depth and detail, with serious flaws and challenges that aren't just referenced but fully explored. Jackson and Ally's relationship is naturally the main focus of the film and it's a difficult and complex one but ultimately one that you buy into. This is certainly in no small part thanks to Cooper and Gaga's performances, through which we're convinced that despite all the difficulties these two genuinely care about each other. Cooper's direction also helps to give the film a convincing and down-to-earth quality, setting the majority of scenes away from the stadiums and in far more familiar, intimate locations. This richness of character extends to the rest of the cast, too. In particular, Jackson's relationship with his brother is incredibly powerful and by the end of the film utterly heart-wrenching.
Of course, no review about musicals would be complete without talking about the music. This is the area in which Bohemian Rhapsody most flourishes because, simply put, it's all Queen music. Queen were an undeniably incredible band. Daringly eclectic and utterly distinct, Queen had an unparalleled ability to bring together a huge range of ideas, styles and genres to form massive pop hits. Bohemian Rhapsody packs in most of those hits, but it's truly a testament to Queen's legacy that everybody could name at least one song they wish was also in the film. The majority of Bohemian Rhapsody's entertainment value comes from the sheer frequency of Queen music that's thrown at the audience. The fact is, it worked for me. Despite the glaring character flaws, all the amazing Queen music washing over me meant that I really didn't care. There are occasionally moments when the music is used to genuine emotional effect; Love of My Life soundtracks one of the film's most delicate and affecting scenes. For the most part, however, it's just enough that they're Queen songs because they're really good.
A Star is Born, therefore, is immediately at a disadvantage. The film doesn't have the legacy of one of the most popular bands of all time to ride off of. Instead, it has to write its own songs and they have to be of quite a high standard to grab people's attention for the first time. Fortunately, many of the songs are. Certainly, a lot has been said about Shallow, the lead single from the film's soundtrack. The love this song has received is definitely deserved. Shallow is an absolutely gigantic song, with an especially unstoppable chorus that Lady Gaga belts out with stunning force. The rest of the songs on A Star is Born are primarily there to serve the film rather than the pop charts. Consequently, they're maybe not as memorable as the barrage of hits you get with Bohemian Rhapsody. However, it does mean they're more effective for conveying and progressing character and plot. For example, whilst the song that Ally makes during her rise to stardom isn't particularly special by itself, within the context of her development its generic pop quality is perfectly fitting.
On paper, A Star is Born is the superior film. In terms of character depth, it's leaps and bounds ahead of Bohemian Rhapsody, which is much more of an exercise in swirling spectacle. In terms of actually experiencing the two films, however, Bohemian Rhapsody entirely holds its own. For all its flaws - of which there are many - it's impossible not to be overwhelmed and enthralled when you're constantly listening to so much Queen music. That isn't to take away from the filmmaking achievements of A Star is Born which, especially considering it's Cooper's directorial debut, is an impressively accomplished piece of storytelling. Both films also benefit from a cast of impeccable actors who disappear into their roles wholeheartedly. Ultimately, then, both Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born are worth your time.
Instead, the differences lie more in how the characters are written. Naturally, Freddie Mercury is the character in Bohemian Rhapsody explored with the most depth. Certainly by the third act we get a number of insights into his struggles with rockstar excess, but it takes a while for the film to get there and it feels like a lot of the time Malek is doing the heavy lifting. The rest of Queen are barely characters at all, despite how well they're played. Considering their role as producers, Brian May and Roger Taylor are written especially blandly. May is presented as a perfect angel and Taylor's only character flaw is that he wrote I'm in Love With My Car. The general focus tends to be on enjoyable but rather anecdotal retellings of how Queen songs were made, which the film attempts to squeeze in as many as possible so they're all on the soundtrack. The brief detours for character development are rather good, they're just not enough of a priority.
A Star is Born, on the other hand, is entirely defined by character. Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody, the songs aren't what drive the film, they're just there to enhance the development of the characters. The characters themselves are written with great depth and detail, with serious flaws and challenges that aren't just referenced but fully explored. Jackson and Ally's relationship is naturally the main focus of the film and it's a difficult and complex one but ultimately one that you buy into. This is certainly in no small part thanks to Cooper and Gaga's performances, through which we're convinced that despite all the difficulties these two genuinely care about each other. Cooper's direction also helps to give the film a convincing and down-to-earth quality, setting the majority of scenes away from the stadiums and in far more familiar, intimate locations. This richness of character extends to the rest of the cast, too. In particular, Jackson's relationship with his brother is incredibly powerful and by the end of the film utterly heart-wrenching.
Of course, no review about musicals would be complete without talking about the music. This is the area in which Bohemian Rhapsody most flourishes because, simply put, it's all Queen music. Queen were an undeniably incredible band. Daringly eclectic and utterly distinct, Queen had an unparalleled ability to bring together a huge range of ideas, styles and genres to form massive pop hits. Bohemian Rhapsody packs in most of those hits, but it's truly a testament to Queen's legacy that everybody could name at least one song they wish was also in the film. The majority of Bohemian Rhapsody's entertainment value comes from the sheer frequency of Queen music that's thrown at the audience. The fact is, it worked for me. Despite the glaring character flaws, all the amazing Queen music washing over me meant that I really didn't care. There are occasionally moments when the music is used to genuine emotional effect; Love of My Life soundtracks one of the film's most delicate and affecting scenes. For the most part, however, it's just enough that they're Queen songs because they're really good.
A Star is Born, therefore, is immediately at a disadvantage. The film doesn't have the legacy of one of the most popular bands of all time to ride off of. Instead, it has to write its own songs and they have to be of quite a high standard to grab people's attention for the first time. Fortunately, many of the songs are. Certainly, a lot has been said about Shallow, the lead single from the film's soundtrack. The love this song has received is definitely deserved. Shallow is an absolutely gigantic song, with an especially unstoppable chorus that Lady Gaga belts out with stunning force. The rest of the songs on A Star is Born are primarily there to serve the film rather than the pop charts. Consequently, they're maybe not as memorable as the barrage of hits you get with Bohemian Rhapsody. However, it does mean they're more effective for conveying and progressing character and plot. For example, whilst the song that Ally makes during her rise to stardom isn't particularly special by itself, within the context of her development its generic pop quality is perfectly fitting.
On paper, A Star is Born is the superior film. In terms of character depth, it's leaps and bounds ahead of Bohemian Rhapsody, which is much more of an exercise in swirling spectacle. In terms of actually experiencing the two films, however, Bohemian Rhapsody entirely holds its own. For all its flaws - of which there are many - it's impossible not to be overwhelmed and enthralled when you're constantly listening to so much Queen music. That isn't to take away from the filmmaking achievements of A Star is Born which, especially considering it's Cooper's directorial debut, is an impressively accomplished piece of storytelling. Both films also benefit from a cast of impeccable actors who disappear into their roles wholeheartedly. Ultimately, then, both Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born are worth your time.
Bohemian Rhapsody
7.4/10
A Star is Born
8.3/10
Comments
Post a Comment