Rocketman, a musical fantasy biopic looking at Elton Johns career and the highs and lows in his life.
The film is directed by Dexter Fletcher, and in the lead role of Elton John stars Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell plays Bernie Taupin, a lifelong friend and songwriter and Richard Madden plays John Reid, Elton’s manager/lover.
The film starts in a rehab facility where Elton introduces himself to the group and declares he’ a drug/drink/sex addict. From there on we are then introduced to a very young Elton, known back then as Reggie, played by Matthew Ilsley, cue your first musical number “the bitch is back”, and then a teenage Reggie played by Kit Connor later on whereas “Saturday nights alright for fighting” then starts to introduce Taron Egerton into an adult Elton John.
Taron gives an outstanding performance of Elton John from beginning to end, so much so, you believe he’s morphed into Elton John and has embodied all his mannerisms and looks etc.
Rocketman follows Elton Johns career from his childhood years right through to him checking into rehab.
The story is beautifully told through music, and each song in itself fits perfectly to each part of the story. There are such songs like “the bitch is back” and “I’m still standing”.
Elton’s life is revealed whole-heartedly in this film, showing his highs and his real lows. His relationships with both his parents(played by Bruce Dallas Howard and Steven mackintosh) grandmother Ivy (played by Gemma Jones) and his love relationships.
The one relationship that stays consistent throughout is Elton’s long-standing friendship and writer partnership with Bernie Taupin (played by Jamie Bell). It really does come across as a beautiful solid partnership, and shows how much they mean to each other.
Richard Madden plays John Reid, Elton’s manager and lover, and plays it so well, you end up despising the man(I’m sure Richard is lovely in real life).
Taron Egerton plays the role of Elton John extremely well and absorbs you into Elton’s world through his talent of singing Elton Johns hits, and you do feel like you have gone on this massive journey with him.
The film was executive produced by Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish, as well as being co-produced by Matthew Vaughan, Adam Bohling and David Reid.
Elton and his husband had a lot of input as to how they wanted Elton’s life to be portrayed, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Lee Hall wrote the script to the movie, and what an amazing script it turned out to be.
There have been some criticisms towards the movie, Rocketman, but to me, I would highly recommend you watch the movie, and also give the soundtrack a listen too. The soundtrack features Elton John tracks sung by the cast, and I believe some tracks were sung live on set. Also, there is a brand new track on the soundtrack which was written by Elton John, and sung by him and the very talented Taron Egerton. It’s called “I’m gonna love me again”, and is a real toe-tapping, uplifting song.
Reviewed by Chrissie.
Images ©2018 Paramount Pictures – All Rights Reserved
A Solid 5 out of 5
Movie title: Rocketman
Movie description: A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John's breakthrough years.
Date published: July 25, 2019
Director(s): Dexter Fletcher
Actor(s): Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Chrissie loves movies and spends a lot of her time with her kids at the local multi-plex watching a great selection of kids movies.
