Works On Every Level - Despite My Lack Of Love For Elton's Music

Rating: 8/10 (24 September 2019)

I really don't know how to quantify this; I have no great love for Elton John's music (though I do gladly acknowledge that Your Song is one of the most romantic songs ever written); I really don't like Taron Egerton's blank canvass acting. But this film still creeps in and worms into my emotions. It's a brave decision to play this film as a full-blown musical, complete with Elton John's back catalogue recast as a set of show tunes with accompanying choreography. There are some brilliant moments - the decision to tell the story in retrospect through an AA meeting (this film is very good on addiction, and it's refreshing to see a portrayal of a man with an eating disorder); there's a stunning sequence during the first American gig which perfectly captures that special moment of connection between performer and audience where a gig transcends to something truly elevating; there's a great supporting performance from Richard Madden; and for all my cynicism, Taron Egerton really can sing. For most of the film, I suspected emotional involvement was directly proportional to the viewer's love for Elton John's music, hence my sense of being impressed but unmoved most of the time. But towards the end come two striking emotionally cathartic moments; a moment of reconciliation between Elton's adult and childhood selves, and a wise decision to close with I'm Still Standing, a song. If the test of a musical biopic is to draw in and move those who don't love the music of the central character, this film works on every level; even if I retain a far greater affection for the dame director's earlier musical, Sunshine On Leith.