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Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Featuring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell
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I was worried that Elton John’s biopic Rocketman – produced by his husband, David Furness, and given the stamp of approval by the man himself – might go the way of Freddie Mercury’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
A great song and dance, but short on cutting edges. Sure, it is still a controlled narrative, but it’s been executed with some finesse and though it still is a lot like a herogram to Elton John, it has enough flair to make it fun to watch.
Dexter Fletcher, the director, also finished off Bohemian Rhapsody after Bryan Singer was fired.
So, he’s no stranger to a musical biopic about a larger-than-life rocker.
Rocketman, which covers Elton John’s life from when he was a forlorn and lonely child called Reginald Dwight until he checks into rehab for his self-destructiveness, is a pretty wild ride. Lee Hall, who wrote Billy Elliot and War Horse, creates a sing-along script for this story.
Using the repertoire of music to tell the story is cleverly done and lifts this film above simply a blow-by-blow retelling.
Taron Egerton, who takes on the role of Elton John, previously starred in Eddie the Eagle, which was also directed by Fletcher; while Jamie Bell, who plays Bernie Taupin, starred in Billy Elliot.
So, there are plenty of threads that connect the stars and creators of this film.
The two leads, Egerton and Bell, put in good performances as one of the greatest song writing duos of all time.
It is quite incredible to watch them work and to see how each song links to a life event – for fans this will be what makes Rocketman a must-see film.
Joining the cast as music producer John Reid is Richard Madden, the Scotsman who made his name in the TV series Bodyguard.
Reid does not come off well in this film. The long-time lover of Elton John – who was also the music producer’s first client – is portrayed as a money grubbing and abusive guy.
Given that paperwork showed he made a whopping £73 million (R1.35 billion) off representing Elton John from 1970 to 1998, the portrayal doesn’t feel off the mark.
Bryce Dallas Howard turns in a terrifyingly brittle and emotionally distant performance as John’s mother, Sheila.
A woman who appears to care less about her son’s quite incredible talent, which is spotted first by his grandmother, Ivy (Gemma Jones), who also ensures he gets to class to take up his scholarship.
His father too, played by Steven Mackintosh, is a disgraceful parent. With the parents Elton John was dealt, it is little surprise that a dose of fame on top of that self-loathing led to self-destruction.
Rocketman might be a little indulgent, but it is also a cautionary tale of the dangers of drink and drugs when blended with fame, on top of a family that doesn’t demonstrate love as it should.
Fans will love it, and if you aren’t a fan, you can’t help being amazed at the sheer volume and depth of John and Taupin’s incredible partnership – and the wardrobe rocks.
