Rating: 5 stars
Much like 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, 2019 has been treated to yet another musical biopic in the way of Rocketman. Following the story of a young Reginald Dwight, a piano prodigy who would grow up to become one of the world’s biggest stars, Elton John. From his childhood in the 1980s through to the present moment, Rocketman takes the audience on a whirlwind of emotions as the reality of Elton’s life with substance abuse, coming to terms with who he is and ultimately accepting that.
Whilst I may have been born a 90s kid, I will forever be listening to the older jams of the 70s and 80s. As a child, I loved listening to these throwback songs and whenever Elton John would come on, I’d want that music blasting and I’d be shaking it every which way!
Elton truly is a star full of life, love and one heck of a story. Aside from his music, he’s real and honest about how he became the star we all know and love and the obstacles he overcame to get to where he is today.
In Rocketman, Elton is portrayed by the uber-talented Taron Egerton – best known for his roles in Eddie The Eagle and The Kingsman films. He oozes Elton’s charisma; his voice is incredible and he really does take to this role with a grain of salt in hand.
Taron previously made a tribute to Elton by belting out ‘I’m Still Standing’ in 2016’s Sing, which most certainly aided him in attaining such a big role and capturing the attention of Elton. The creative decision to have Taron actually sing Elton’s biggest hits and not just lip-sync is what brings this film to a whole other level.
Over the course of the film, audiences realise that Taron isn’t doing an impression of the rockstar but has thrown himself fully into the mindset and life of Elton. It truly is remarkable. The physical resemblance between the two is uncanny and through each of the elaborate costumes worn in the film, it cements it even more. Almost feeling like you’re not watching a film about Elton John but actually going back in time to witness where he was when he was younger to the present day.
Aside from the ridiculously talented Egerton, there are so many other wonderful stars thrown into this film. Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, songwriter for Elton, giving a high-quality performance and taking up almost an angel-like position in Elton’s life as he hit his downward spiral with fame and substance abuse. On the other shoulder sits the all-consuming devilish Richard Madden as lover and manager of Elton, John Reid. Madden puts on a stunning performance, seducing not only Elton but also the audience with his devilish ways, his smooth-talking, and melodic voice.
The cherry on top of these incredible co-stars is the one and only Bryce Dallas Howard who steps out in the role of Elton’s problematic mother; a selfish woman of sorts who very deep down does hold some love for Elton but is blinded by her own life to really show how much she cares.
This overall standard of this cast is ridiculously high given the story being told, able to move from a lighter tone to a darker one almost in the flick of a switch. Taron is undoubtedly the star of this film, but these other fabulous stars cannot be overlooked for the captivating performances they hold as people who have either helped Elton or pushed him down in his life.
Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody where Queen’s songs were simply featured every now and then to help the story progress further, Rocketman takes it further and uses the songs to tell Elton’s story. This was one of my personal favorite points in this film. The film opens to Elton in a group therapy session wherein after strutting into the session in his flamboyant attire, he proceeds to have a breakdown and use his hit ‘ The Bitch is Back’ in which audiences see a young Elton outside his childhood home, being called for dinner and really serving as the perfect introduction to Elton and his life with his self-absorbed mother, inattentive father and lovingly supportive Nan.
Having music play such a bigger role in Rocketman opens up the story for some wonderful development as it moves from lighter times in his life to the darker times. And as his career climbs higher, Elton’s dependency on drugs and alcohol becomes more apparent and unfortunately takes a harsh but sad turn. One key moment in the film is when Elton’s iconic ‘Rocketman’ is used in such a moving tone, where audiences see his struggle with substance abuse which eventually leads him to try to drown himself in his pool. It’s incredibly moving, emotional and heart-wrenching to see this bright, vivacious star go through such a rough period and hard downfall in his career.
Rocketman as a film takes so much depth in making the brave decision to steer clear of a PG-13 rating and take on a darker tone with sexual references, use of drugs and alcohol, and offering a film with a far darker – and more realistic – approach to the rockstar lifestyle. There’s something about the grit and honesty of Rocketman that is just so appealing and gives the film a lot more substance than expected in a musical biopic.
As a fan of Elton but also just a fan of this film and the way it has been done, I highly recommend watching it, jam out to the songs and enjoy the rock and roll of Elton John’s biggest hits.
