quiz

Does This Scene Appear in Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, or Both?

By , a Vulture senior writer covering movies and pop culture
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount Pictures

We’ve had Volcano/Deep Impact situations before, but the Bohemian Rhapsody/Rocketman connection feels like its own kind of beast. Not only are these two biopics of the most flamboyant rock stars of the 1970s being released a mere seven months apart, but they even share the same director, as Rocketman’s Dexter Fletcher was the uncredited ringer brought in to finish BoRhap after Bryan Singer was fired. With the Elton John biopic debuting to a raucous reception at Cannes last month (and Taron Egerton hoping to follow Rami Malek’s path to Oscar gold), the comparisons are currently inescapable. Having checked out Rocketman, I can report that, while not identical — with no behind-the-scenes turmoil, Fletcher has room to be a little more visually ambitious on the new one — the two movies are indeed more alike than they are different. How similar are they? Find out in this handy quiz:

Does This Scene Appear In Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, Or Both?

I’ll describe a scene, and you guess whether it appears in Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, or both.

As a young man in 1960s Britain, our hero’s musical career begins with him touring the country in a tiny van with some mates.
The musician has a major breakthrough in which he learns to be truly himself by strutting around onstage in outrageous outfits.
The main character’s first gay experience comes during a montage depicting his youthful touring days.
Even though our hero had some early success, an old music veteran in a boardroom does not believe he has what it takes. This man disparages the musician’s songs, not knowing they will turn out to be iconic selections from his catalogue.
The hero’s commercial success is represented in a montage of newspaper clippings and charts topped with his hits.
The lead comes under the sway of a treacherous homosexual manager with a regional accent, played by an actor from a popular television show.
More specifically, the music manager John Reid appears, played by an actor from Game of Thrones.
Under the influence of this man, the rock star splits from his kind and loyal collaborators after they tell him uncomfortable truths he does not want to hear.
In an attempt to cover his increasing isolation, the musician throws lavish house parties full of booze, pills, and magnificent costumes. They do not make him happy.
The gay nightlife scene is depicted in a red-hued sequence scored to one of the musician’s biggest hits.
The pop star’s efforts from the 1980s are implied to be not very good.
While still struggling with his sexuality, our hero has a brief, unsuccessful relationship with a good-hearted woman. He does not treat her well.
In a third-act concert sequence, the musician performs in an iconic sports stadium while surrounded by thousands of CGI fans.
After a health crisis, the rock star eventually reunites with his abandoned collaborators, who have never lost faith in him. Together, they go on to a period of sustained success.
The end credits feature images of the real-life subject, in between chyrons describing his life after the events of the film.
Onstage, our hero turns into a literal rocket-man, flying off into the sky and then exploding into fireworks.

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Bohemian Rhapsody vs. Rocketman: A Quiz