This afternoon it was announced that Bohemian Rhapsody has been nominated for five Oscars. Aside from Best Picture this includes Malek’s stunning performance as Freddie Mercury. Yesterday he reflected on the success of the film at dunhill and revealed that French critics had given the movie a standing ovation, despite overall mixed reviews. Malek said: “It was the role of a lifetime, I can say.”
The 37-year-old continued: “Very, very difficult shoes to try and fit into, but it was a challenge that I wanted to take on.
“What’s life worth it you don’t take a few risks? This was a pretty major risk to take, but, somehow, we pulled it off.
“It’s nice being here in France because it’s always difficult to think about the critical reception.
“But we got a standing ovation from critics here in Paris, and that seems to be happening all across the world.”
He added: “You see it all. Not in a gratuitous way. It’s not meant to be messy and licentious, and I think that was a good decision.
“All that stuff is in there, but you don’t need to be revelling in scenes of debauchery – not that Freddie was particularly debauched anyway.
“I know some people were looking for that, but no, it’s a film which portrays the truth, in a fairly gritty and honest but also entertaining way.”
“We all felt we wanted to portray Freddie’s humanity, to portray him as a human being, as a musician. It had to be truthful and not too indulgent. And I think Freddie would say number one it had to be entertaining.”