Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody
Four years later but I finally watched the 2018 movie Bohemian Rhapsody which is said to be a biopic of the life of the famous Freddie Mercury. As I had known he was the crooner of the band ‘Queen’, I was quite interested in the story since its release. Well, after I watched it, though there are many speculations and alternate theories around the internet about his life, I must say that there is a lot to learn from Freddie Mercury (as portrayed in the movie).
Despite Freddie’s buck teeth look, he was one of the most popular singers of all time. People loved him, they loved his songs and they loved the messages that he brought out through his singing. So, the next time we see someone with a not-so-perfect face, we should try not to be rude or ridicule them for it. They may become a celebrity someday! Lesson number 1.
Freddie was unique, eccentric, confident, creative and bold. He thought outside the box and that is how the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was born. It was a six-minute long song put together with various instrument solos, voices and uniqueness. It was on top of the charts for 9 weeks straight. 30 years later, it is still one of the greatest songs ever made though no one seems to completely understand it. Lesson 2: People will notice you only when you think outside the box.
While at the peak of his career, Freddie tried to host unusual parties and invite well-known people from the industry, but that did not make him happy. When Mary Austin asked him to come home, he realised that the people who were around him all the time weren’t his friends and did not love him. They were only there to have fun and be around a celebrity. Lesson 3: Don’t mistake smiling faces to be loving faces.
Though they were a huge sensation, Freddie insisted that they participate in Live Aid – A worldwide rock concert organized for the relief of famine-struck people in Africa. Lesson 4: Give to charity with all your heart. When we do things for charity, it gives us a different feeling than the one we feel with power or prosperity.
As humans, there are several temptations around us. When we become well-known humans, there are even more temptations that look us straight in the eye. It is our choice to resist or succumb to these temptations. In the blindness of fame, Freddie succumbed to a few temptations that he could have avoided. Also, Paul Prenter, Freddie’s former manager, personal assistant and sexual partner was the disloyal Judas who was leading Freddie the wrong way and leaked a lot of photos, information and more for money. He also kept his loved ones at bay. Finally, Paul was fired by Freddie. Lesson 5: We should be aware of the temptations and snakes around us and get rid of them as soon as possible.
It is so important to be, love and care for ourselves in order to be content in life. Even though Freddie felt that he was born to perform, he still did not seem to take care of or like himself. Jim Hutton asks Freddie to find him (Jim) when he decides to like himself. Lesson 6: It is not only vital to be ourselves, but we must like, love and take care of ourselves, too.
The way Freddie loved Mary Austin despite his homosexual desires makes us realize that true love and sex can be two completely different feelings. It is not necessary that you love the one you’re sleeping with though I believe that you shouldn’t encourage sleeping with those you are not in love with. Lesson 7: If your partner claims to love you by making love to you against your will, maybe you can ask him/her to watch this movie? For inspiration? 😉
Though Freddie learnt about his illness, he preferred to continue spreading acceptance through his music rather than become a poster boy for AIDS. Even though his face was deteriorating, he continued to make music. Lesson 8: There is a possibility to spread love, smiles and positive vibes despite the pain we are going through (internally or externally).
When the band was famous and popular, Freddie claims to be ‘bored’ with the urge of wanting more, so he signs a solo deal for 4 billion Dollars in search of new fame. Even though his single album was a successful hit, he missed his real band-mates, Mary Austin and his family. Lesson 9: We must make sure to keep our loved ones close while we reach winning heights!
Besides Freddie, if you’ve watched, read or know the life story of superstars, you will find one thing in common – with fame came pain (prior or later). They may have lost a loved one, the presence of their families, their health, their house, or anything that mattered the most. For example – Sanjay Dutt, Janhvi Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor were some big stars who lost their moms just before their debut movies were released. Whitney Houston suffered from drug addiction. Freddie lost his life after suffering from AIDS for years. Sad, but true for normal people like us, too. Lesson 10: God gives us a choice to choose between worldly things (fame, money, power) and life.
Though there were a lot of learnings I took away from this movie, I personally thought that there could be a lot more done in the movie. For instance, according to me his ‘struggle’ with his sexuality wasn’t appropriately portrayed. Also, the love life between Jim and Freddie (after the Live Aid concert) could have been aptly depicted. After all, Jim was with him until he died in 1991. Yes, it would be a longer movie but we are on Netflix most of the time, so what’s stopping us from watching longer movies at our own pace?
Anyway, what do you think of these lessons? Tell me your thoughts.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge
‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted
by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
42 Comments
Quite an intriguing life Freddie Mercury lived. And how someone chooses to live their life can be a huge lesson for all of us.
True that, Suchita!
I haven’t watched the movie but intrigued after reading your post!
Wow, loved how you have taken out some negative and positive from his life and converted them into such an insightful article
Bohemian Rhapsody is one of my favourite songs of all time. I have watched the movie and loved it. Infact it also teaches us never to take people for granted, especially those who love you. It is them who will stand by you come what may.
True, Vasu.
He is a person with a positive attitude. thanks for mentioning those brilliant points. I think the points gonna help us in our daily life a lot if one has to see only the positive side.
I was unaware of the band and the artist. After reading your review you have intrigued me to watch the movie.
Character of Freddie Mercury is intriguing. Probably i will watch this movie. Loved the way you comprehensively reviewed the movie. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.
Wow, Cindy, never knew there could be so much learning, frankly, i have heard the name but was never aware of the details. Thanks for putting it out so well, appreciate it!
I did not know about Freddie Mercury and really glad to read this post. He is so inspiring and loved how you described he positive ways via pointers. Amazing post.
I love his numbers; especially – crazy little thing called love. Anyways havent watched the movie; is it there on netflix?
yup on Netflix.
I so agree with the lessons for life, even I believe that money can’t buy love and respect and looks really don’t matter. Loved the post!!
Wow.. These are some great learnings Cindy, I must check this movie. It’s always nice to learn from others and when it comes from someone who has risen above all the adversities then it adds more value to it.
I haven’t seen it but reading your post helped me in knowing that how awesome this movie is and the messages they wanted to share.
Famous or ordinary life happens to us, like it happened to them. We are all wired the same way and weaved into the human fabric.
True, Sakshi!
These are some great life lessons. We tend to forget that there is no gain without any pain and we need to think outside the box for success. I really need to watch this movie.
A very well-structured post, Cindy 🙂 I agree with lesson 4 wholeheartedly; if charity comes from the heart, and not from a place of pride, it empowers you very differently.
Thank you, Nikita!
I must be honest, I knew the hype about Bohemian Rhapsody and all but never been that curious enough to check out what it is about nor who it was about. This is a great eye opener for me and I’ve personally learned a lot from this article. Appreciate you writing about it.
You should watch the movie if you have heard about Freddie Mercury, Jeannine!
I have yet to watch Bohemian Rhapsody but I hear Rami Malek was excellent. Loved your take on the movie and the life lessons. Particularly spreading positivity despite the pain.
Oh yes, Rami Malek was apt for the role and he did well. Do watch the movie and let me know your thoughts, Ritu.
So true! Money can not buy happiness and true love. Yes you can buy people to come over and be with you but true love and true happiness can only be found with your family and inner most friends who have been with you through all your ups and downs. I am yet to watch this movie but will surely watch it now.
Freddie Mercury was quite a rage in the 1970s. I really liked the way you reviewed the movie with life lessons. Some really important ones.
Thank you, Madhu!
This is such a mind-blowing post, Cindy..loved all the pointers. It sounds counterintuitive that people would choose to box themselves in, but that’s exactly what most people do. There’s a very logical reason: living inside the box’s walls can feel easy, comfortable, and safe.
From ur description, its is definite that I definitely need to watch this, lot of positive vibes are healthy after all 😉.
I did not heard about this movie before but after reading your review felt that it is a must watch movie . The life lessons you have shared sounds so amazing . Will surly try to watch this movie in upcoming weekend.
I dont know about Frediee. Your mentioned lessons are true. Most of them we experience in our daily life. Like not all smiling faces are our real friends. Even those who we think our friends are also not our friends. Charity gives inner peace. I would like to watch the movie. Thank you for sharing.
Have heard a lot about Bohemian Rhapsody but this information about Freddie is new for me. Those are some great lessons to remember.
All the lessons are amazing and especially lesson 4 – CHARITY IS A LOVELY FEELING is absolutely true.
Cindy so far I came across many people who watched many high level movies and biographies and reviewed the same. But I can proudly say till today I came across none like you who analyzed a movie so beautifully and pointing the true learning from it. The learning from the movie you had I strongly believe in that in my personal life. I loved your narration style and glad to know you as an awesome movie analyzer…
That is sweet of you, Samata! Thank you.
I would never have thought of taking lessons from the movie Cindy… amazing that u did. Bohemian Rhapsody is one of my all time fav songs and although I knew a lot about Freddie Mercury already, I watched the movie and I loved it. I agree with most of your lessons except this ‘People will notice you only when you think outside the box.’ I don’t believe that it’s ‘only.’
Maybe ‘mostly’, but a huge crowd definitely recognizes you when you do something out of the ordinary.
I am very impressed with the lessons about music celebrity Freddie Mercury gleaned from the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. There is so much more to that halo and flashbulbs, very well written!
Thank you, Preeti!
I dont think there is a better review of Bohemian Rhapsody, Cindy.
Loved the way you picked out the ten lessons we can learn. Usually, movie reviews talk about the actors, direction, music or cinematography. But this is an unusual way and shows your positive attitude about life.
Thanks for appreciating it, Harjeet.