ROCKETMAN GOES INTO ORBIT

Rating: 10/10 (29 May 2019)

I have read a number of reviews which unfortunately seem to miss the point of this movie.
Director Dexter Fletcher's aim was to make an entertaining musical setting out the stages in Elton's life from his relatively humble and somewhat unstable family life to establishing himself as the most successful solo pop act on the planet. Fletcher has not shirked from showing the impact that fortune and fame had on someone who was not emotionally equipped to handle success on such a scale and this brilliantly forms the backbone of the narrative.
I have been an EJ fan since 1970 and had to ignore the inaccuracies and omission from the movie of certain people who were so instrumental in Elton's career. I appreciate this is inevitable and necessary to establish a succint, coherent story line and believe that this would not be noticed by the majority of cinema goers who are watching to be entertained.
Being entertaining is where the movie really succeeds .... this was also true of BoRhap which in turn was panned by most critics, yet went on to be a stunning success at the box office and with the Academy. Sadly for Taron Egerton, it is unlikely the Academy will award the oscar next year to another pop biopic leading man... a pity as his performance is astounding.
Making entertaining musicals which successfully tell a story is incredibly difficult; Rocket man succeeds brilliantly where many have failed. The use of EJ's songs and in particular the poignant lyrics provided by Bernie Taupin to highlight turning points in Elton's life is at times breathtaking. The staging of shows, particularly the first US concert at The Troubado and the Brooklyn Dodger's concert bring to life seminal moments in Elton's career which all fans will wish they could have attended.
The use of the confessional scenes also works extremely well and it is brave of Elton to have allowed such a 'warts and all' exposure on this scale. I must also mention the supporting cast, who are exemplary and some of whom demonstrate great vocal talents to add to their acting skills. I will be astonished if the film does not pick up awards galore for the music, choreography, costumes and editing.
Whilst an entertainment, this is a musical for grown ups and I acknowledge that certain scenes may make uncomfortable viewing for some which will lead to a restricted potential audience. However, this is a depiction of Elton's life and perhaps without these character flaws, his music and performances would have been less mercurial.
Whether or not you are an Elton John fan, I urge you to see this movie as it is in a class of it's own making and has set the bar incredily high for makers of future musical entertainment.