Not as explosive as I hoped it could be, but no misfire either

Rating: 6/10 (8 September 2019)

"Rocketman" is an American/British co-production from 2019 and this one was directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Dexter Fletcher, normally a prolific actor, while the script is by Oscar-nominated writer Lee Hall. The latter got his Academy Award nomination for the movie Billy Elliot and maybe it is no coincidence that in this one here we also have Jamie Bell play a central character. Pretty amazing to see how he has grown up. Anyway, the title already gives away that this film is about Elton John and from what I have seen and read he was apparently not too unhappy with how these pretty much exactly two hours turned out in the end. Now I am still hesitant to call this a biopic because really it only focuses on his rise to stardom and also his first years when he was a huge star and also how he struggled with addiction during that time. In the closing credits we see a more recent photo that shows us how he has not relapsed for decades (except when it comes to his shopping addiction). So there is for example no stuff like his Lion King works included in this movie, which I found a bit of a pity, but it is alright. Same for his Lady Di tribute, perhaps the biggest moment in his career as really the whole world was watching there. I guess this time was really not just suitable drama-wise to make a movie about or include it as a key part of the film. They still did fine with the path they took. They certainly succeeded in depicting Elton John as the spectacular figure he was, still is today in his early 70s now. The attention to detail in the script is nice as well telling us for example how he came up with his pseudonym and many other things too. Or how he reads these beauty/fashion magazines early on shows us also what direction he was heading in terms of style and maybe even sexual orientation. As for sexual orientation I don't think iI liked d the phone booth scene as much as I wanted to when he has his coming-out to his mother, even if it was not poorly-written. Okay the addiction group early on did feel slightly strange how they use his narration there to elaborate on what happened earlier in his life, but it wasn't failure territory either.
But the key is of course the music. Many good songs included here and I even found one or two new ones from him that I liked and did not know before watching the film such as I Want Love. I am not a big fan of the man's music honestly, but I don't mind him either. There's some songs that are just impossible not to groove along with once you hear them. The best example is "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" and I also really liked the sequence they used it for, even if it was not a truly special moment at least not right there, but it worked well and actually it was even really special slightly afterwards when he spoke exactly about what was on his mind to his mother and her longtime boyfriend when they ask him for money again. Yes there is major focus on his family. This scene was pretty memorable and it also made really clear how to see his mother, who did not necessarily feel like a real antagonist before that, even if I am sure many already saw her like that immediately. But it is good. I liked how they used a lot of shades in here. Felt executed with precision. She does not mind him being gay, but she executes pressure on him and makes him feel bad saying he will never find a loving relationship like this. The opposite is true about the loving relationship between him and his grandmother. Or the complicated relationship between him and his father. When he sees the man years later again with his new family, it is maybe the best, but also most heartbreaking scene of the movie as it almost feels sadistic how he asks his son for an autograph because really he means nothing to him. Heavy stuff really. But these were the moments when I wondered if I should maybe give it a higher rating because there it was a great movie, not just a good one. Sadly there were only one or two other like these, so all in all not enough for this running time. I mean there were no weaknesses and the film felt shorter than it actually was which is always a good sign. His professional struggles when it came to collaborating with his straight friend as well as the romantic relationship or I should say "romantic" that really holds him back and pulls him to the ground because he clearly loves the man more than the other way around as we see because there is not just physical violence but also a great deal of emotional abuse. Basically Elton John is nothing but a cash cow to him.
There was also not really a solution and that is okay too. E.J. found his path, but that does not mean all the evil ghosts from his past have vanished and that is how life really is. So well done again. Negative criticisms? Well they could have included more of the song Rocketman I'd say. Sure the moment when he jumps into that pool with the intention to commit suicide and how we hear it goes well together with what he sees at the bottom of the pool, but this and I think (if at all) another brief inclusion of the melody early on did not feel enough if they use the name in the title even. Overall, this is a good movie. Egerton I was not too familiar with before, but he did a pretty good job here and carries the film nicely, of course with great help of the costume department. Funny that singing an Elton John song in the animated movie Sing probably helped him getting this role. Can he get in at the Oscars? Maybe not, Egerton probably won't but he has a shot at the Globes I guess. We'll see. I was particularly curious about this movie as it had some people working on it that also were part of the Bohemian Rhapsody crew last year and I totally adored that movie honestly, but how could I not as a Queen fan. Critics I think many like this one more, but I would totally disagree. Malek's performance, the music etc. turn that one into a must-see, also for those who do not care (yet) about Queen. After that movie they will. On the other hand I don't really think this one will turn you into an Elton John fan honestly, but like I said it is still pretty decent overall and there are no glaring weaknesses, so unless you really dislike the man this is about (hello Madonna (fans)), you can give it ago and probably you will not be disappointed. Still, you should not expect greatness or so. I give it a solid thumbs-up.