Awards Season is in full swing in Hollywood, as various ceremonies begin announcing their nominees. Last night was the 76th Golden Globe Awards, recognizing the best that TV and film had to offer over the last calendar year. For the movies side of things, some of the biggest prizes were given to Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic starring Rami Malek as late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
Bohemian Rhapsody's success was far from guaranteed, and the film had a rocky road to theaters. One of the controversies surrounding the project ahead of its release was the firing of director Bryan Singer, who departed Bohemian Rhapsody before it wrapped. Singer was still credited as the film's director, and he posted a reaction to the movie's Golden Globe win for Best Drama, with:
Simple and efficient, Bryan Singer seems to appreciate the multitude honors Bohemian Rhapsody was given by the Hollywood Foreign Press. Singer helped get the project green-lit, and much of his work made it into the finished product-- even if it was an unceremonious departure
Bryan Singer's Instagram post shows the X-Men visionary directing Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody. The scene in question was the biopic's nearly shot for shot recreation of Queen's iconic "I Want To Break Free" music video. It's a sequence that delighted hardcore fans of the band, as Singer methodically had the Bohemian Rhapsody cast emulate performances from the original.
Much of the conversation around Bohemian Rhapsody is surrounding its star Rami Malek. The Mr. Robot standout completely transformed into Freddie Mercury, using his mind, body, and teeth to become the legendary Queen vocalist. That performance earned Malek the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the Golden Globes, with all eyes on whether or not he'll have the same luck at the upcoming Academy Awards.
The odds were stacked against Bohemian Rhapsody before it hit theaters, making its wild success all the more fascinating. Bryan Singer's departure from the project was certainly an unexpected twist, and seemed to put the biopic in jeopardy long before its release. While the movie's schedule continued and it was released as planned, success was far from guaranteed.
Another controversy surrounding Bohemian Rhapsody was the film's portrayal of Freddie Mercury's love life, especially his same-sex attraction. The biopic largely focused on Freddie's relationship with girlfriend Mary Austin. Some advocacy groups believe this was a disservice, and that the project might be straightwashing the Queen frontman.
Bohemian Rhapsody also wasn't a critical darling, faring medium to poorly with many publications. But audiences still responded to the project, resulting in an impressive box office performance. And now that the movie has snatched a few trophies, there's no doubting the success of Bohemian Rhapsody, and Bryan Singer's direction.
Bohemian Rhapsody is still in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.
