Blast off into a world of inflated flamboyance, colorful costumes, magnificent music and a charismatic character who will squeeze your heart till you cry: Elton John’s ROCKETMAN!
Wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the film which I’d been anxious to see. Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody which I saw on the small screen, I awaited ROCKETMAN’s arrival at the theater with anxious anticipation, as I know every engaging Elton John song by heart. Indeed, each and nearly every Elton John song evokes an emotional and endearing memory for me.
The movie proved to contain more substance, more real life, more depth than I thought it would and it was extraordinary and enchanting! A brilliant mix of music, dance, rehab, relationships and special effects that took off with a bright, breathtaking opening scene and continued its sky-rocketing journey through Elton’s tumultuous rise from Reggie Dwight to Elton John.
Elton’s rise to fame as a poor, lonely British boy is told through a series of vignettes recounting memories while sharing in a rehab group. However, each vignette is met with something extraordinary, whether it be singing underwater, a dance production with the whole neighborhood, or enchanting an entire bar full of fans and raising them literally off their feet, the director adds innovative and provocative moments to a story we’ve heard before about a star rising to fame though liquor bottles and snorts of cocaine and makes it into a wondrous ride down the rabbit hole.
What surprised me was the intense trauma and sadness that encompassed and tortured Elton John’s life throughout his childhood and amazing rise to fame and fortune. Also surprising was how he landed on his stage name: Elton John. The movie was a sparkling display of what makes a movie great.
Taron Egerton will undoubtedly get an Academy Award for his superior portrayal of Elton John, even singing the songs himself. His performance is gut-wrenching and he had me in tears…and I NEVER cry in movies (at least it’s very rare, unless it’s a Hallmark movie, of course!). He appeared to embody Elton John in every respect and truly seemed to channel Elton’s real personality…but Elton’s still alive!
Also, an honorable mention must go to the tremendous Richard Madden (Netflix- THE BODYGUARD) who was superbly maddening in his portrayal of John Reid, Elton’s manager! With shining black hair and blazing sapphire-blue eyes, it was no wonder that the impressionable young Elton would fall for the wiles of a RICO SUAVE like John. Their tragic love affair really enraged emotions in defense of an unsophisticated Elton.
And making a surprise and unexpected appearance, a surprise because I didn’t recognize her, was Elton’s mom, played perfectly by Bryce Dallas Howard. Wow, Ron’s daughter has really grown up and taken on some serious roles. I really hated her…which made me love her!
Elton John’s journey through his past as told through alcoholic rehab sessions will honestly grab you by the throat, twist your ear and fully turn on the waterworks. You honestly feel like Elton is your lonely, lost friend, and you want to hug him and give him the love he missed out on as a child and naïve adult! You simply want to lift him up and make him feel better. However, there’s really no need, because by the end of our delightful, disturbing movie, you’ll see that our ROCKETMAN really takes off and you know that He’s Still Standing stronger that he Ever did, looking like a True Survivor and feeling like a little kid!!
