RATING: A-
- RATED R for language, drug use and sexual content
- RELEASED: May 31, 2019
- RUNTIME: 2 hr. 1 min.
- DIRECTED BY: Dexter Fletcher
- STARRING: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Gemma Jones
Rocketman is the story of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s mega rock-star, Elton John, played by Kingsman star Taron Egerton. It showcases Elton from his childhood, becoming a piano prodigy, to his rise to stardom, and his eventual fall into addiction and depression. But this film is unique in the realm of singer biographies. Instead of just playing the music during concert scenes, this film mixes Elton John’s real story with fantastical sequences of breaking out into song and dance, like a standard musical such as The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins or LaLa Land. And, fortunately, this mix of genres makes Rocketman a very well done biopic that you can also stomp your feet to. Since Elton John is still alive, one might think that the studio would sugarcoat his story to make him look perfect but, thankfully, they really delve into the problems that plagued him all of his life.
We see him growing up with a father who never gave him the love and attention that he needed, and a mother who never fully supported him. To be fair, Elton’s grandmother did love the boy, and was gentle and supportive. Eventually, when Elton becomes incredibly famous, he develops a relationship with his manager, John Reid (Richard Madden) whom he hopes to find love with, but becomes disappointed, once again, when he learns that Reid never actually cared for him.
We also see a true, lifelong friendship blossom between Elton and his songwriter, Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) which is where the heart of the film lies. Bernie was the only person who liked Elton for who he was, even if Elton didn’t always realize it. And, since Elton was never loved unconditionally by anyone and he hated himself, he fell into a swirl of drug and alcohol addiction.
Because the film explores all of those points of his life so well, what we get is a very emotional and human story beyond the music that makes you want to sing and dance down the aisle. You feel for Elton the whole time and it shows that being a world-famous rock star doesn’t make a person happy. Someone can have all of the money, fame, sex, drugs and groupies but still carry the baggage from their childhood.
Just like last year’s Bohemian Rhapsody the film is, of course, also very enjoyable for its music. If you’re a fan of his music, you will be quietly singing along, and tapping your feet to songs like Rocketman, Saturday Night’s alright for Fighting, Bennie and the Jets, Tiny Dancer and Crocodile Rock, among many others. For some reason, though, we don’t get to enjoy I guess That’s why They Call it the Blues, which never makes a full appearance even though it’s one of Elton’s best songs.
Although they sometimes could have been more closely tied to the story, the musical numbers are colorful, well shot and entertaining. Taron Edgerton does a great job, not only with his performance but also, with his singing which he does all by himself, recreating each song. He continues to prove himself as one of the better up and coming actors today. In the end Rocketman works because it’s both an affecting exploration of a Rockstar, and a joyous jukebox musical just in time for the Summer. And it’s a film with true heart and emotion.