Rocketman

Rating: 6/10 (3 June 2019)

A year after his 70th birthday, in 2018, Sir Elton John announced he was retiring, with a three-year farewell tour; since the announcement, he has made TV appearances, including some documentaries, and the John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert. Well, now finally we get the biographical musical movie telling the story of his rise to fame, only half a year after the successful Bohemian Rhapsody, about Freddie Mercury, and Queen, produced by Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, Kingsman: The Secret Service), and David Furnish, Elton's husband, directed by Dexter Fletcher (Sunshine on Leith, Eddie the Eagle). Basically as a child, Reginald 'Reggie' Dwight (Matthew Illesley, and Kit Connor) is raised by his cold mother Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard) and more caring grandmother Ivy (Gemma Jones), while his father Stanley (Steven Mackintosh) is away doing his service in the Royal Air Force. Reggie shows interest in playing the piano, and soon begins studying at the Royal Academy of Music. Stanley, who has never showed any love towards Reggie, abandons his family after Sheila has an affair with another man. Reggie has an interest in rock music, especially Elvis Presley, and starts performing in local pubs before becoming a backing artist for a band, Bluesology. As an adult, Reggie (Golden Globe winning, and BAFTA nominated Taron Egerton) changes his name to Elton John and tries to find success with a publishing company, with producer Dick James (Stephen Graham), managed by Ray Williams (Charlie Rowe). Elton is given a bunch of lyric sheets from new lyricists, and he has a meeting with songwriter Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell). The two quickly form a friendship, and they agree to work together to create songs, Taupin writing, and Elton adding the music, Taupin also accepts Elton's homosexuality. In 1970, James is impressed with the song "Your Song" and organises a performance for them at Troubadour in Los Angeles, the audience love Elton's performance. At a party afterwards, Elton feels abandoned when Taupin leaves to be with a woman, he is then approached by music manager John Reid (Richard Madden), who is attracted to him. The two sleep together and reunite later, Reid influences Elton into many things, including excessive indulgence. Elton's career takes off, he becomes a highly successful musician, and embraces a flamboyant stage persona. Reid is appointed Elton's new manager but manipulates him and insists that he comes out as gay to his parents so they can help hide their sexual relationship from the press. Sheila bluntly says she already knew about his sexuality and doesn't care, and that he faces a life of being alone forever. Elton decides not to tell Stanley, as he has made a new life with his new family and seems to have left behind his old one. Elton struggles with the situation between his mother and father, and the abuse of Reid, he becomes addicted to alcohol, cocaine, and sex. At a house party, he consumes a dangerous amount of drugs and alcohol, he attempts suicide by drowning in his swimming pool. Elton is rushed to hospital and not long after is forced back on stage to continue performing. Elton falls out with both his mother and Taupin, feeling angry he overdoses on prescription drugs and alcohol, which causes a heart attack, sending him to hospital again. Reid hears the news but shuns it and forces him back on stage, Elton realises his life is spiralling out of control, he leaves before a performance and seeks help. Elton enters rehabilitation and accepts that he can live a life without reverting to his parents or Reid, he repairs his friendship with Taupin and returns to performing. Today, Elton John has been sober for nearly thirty years, Taupin continues to be his friend and collaborator, and Elton found love with husband, David Furnish, with whom he has two children. Also starring Tate Donovan as Doug Weston, Tom Bennett as Fred, Sharon D. Clarke as Counsellor, Rachel Muldoon as Kiki Dee, Star Wars' Jimmy Vee as Arthur and Leigh Francis as Pete. Featuring the songs "The B**** Is Back", "I Want Love", "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", "Crocodile Rock", "Tiny Dancer", "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", "Honky Cat", "Pinball Wizard", "Rocket Man" (the title song), "Bennie and the Jets", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "I'm Still Standing", and many more. Egerton gives a terrific performance, being brash, flamboyant and vulnerable, and he does pretty well singing as well, Bell is also good as John's long-time friend and professional partner Taupin, Howard is almost unrecognisable with her black wig and English accent, and the other cast members do well also. This is a clever way to tell the story of one of the world's most famous singers, as an extravagant fantasy of sorts, the song and dance sequences play out in the narrative to drive it forward, John himself said he didn't want the gritty stuff dumbed down, so it does get dark at times, but for the colourful costumes, inventive editing, and of course the great music, it is a worthwhile musical biographical drama. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "I'm Gonna Love Me Again" by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin (also won the Golden Globe), it was nominated the BAFTAs for Outstanding British Film of the Year, and Best Make Up/Hair, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Sir Elton John was number 55 on The 100 Worst Britons, he was number 30 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, and he was number 5 on The Ultimate Pop Star. Good!