Too Much Razzle Dazzle

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2019)

Something in me yearns to connect with Elton John; he seems like a totally nice guy. And Egerton portrays his outbursts and saddening addictions very thoughtfully. But there's something to be desired of this spectacle. Interesting dynamics involving family issues and personal life get glossed over too frequently in exchange for the grand splendor of musical performance.
As a precocious child, Elton eases his way into a prestigious music academy and then we get a musical number to launch us into his young adult years. At the pinnacle and turning point of his career, he is nervous to perform in front of a packed house. Members which include a few of the Beach Boys and we are told earlier that "Neil Young was here last week." We relate to his fears and sympathize with the possibility of screwing up big time. The pressure is tangible and it's a great moment when he casts it aside and starts belting out some tunes. He becomes a star.
His life becomes superfluous and carefree. It seems too good to be true. Then it is. "It is a shame, choosing the route where you will get no true love." His mother's words after his confession as a homosexual. Their relationship seems arbitrary and strange, while the father completely insults and disowns him. When his mother says this, his manager and lover also detaches, and then Elton disconnects with his world and falls into dismay. This world full of music, always a part of him, now forced in his face and he gets quite lonely. Do the drugs and alcohol fuel a sulking to feed into his loner profile? Does it feel good to cast aside everyone, declaring himself one of a kind? Is he creating a problem to have some fun? Maybe this was all too easy for him. When the thirst for success dwindles, and there is no one to connect with, you will turn to drugs and alcohol.
And then it gets strange. When a metaphor in film works, it is like a light bulb in the head and resounds human emotions. A feeling of connection to the author and viewer. But we are fed so many and such big stage shows, we have whiplash. Someone mentioned here that this is what the film is: a musical displaying and not telling of his life. A film is visual medium and will be treated with some eye candy. But as humans, and this being a biopic, more thought could have gone a long long way into building tension so those extravagant scenes held more meaning, more truthfulness. Blasting him into space with rockets attached to his feet literally made me wince and I felt I needed some air. Perhaps a simple conversation would have sufficed.