Rocketman

Plot: Rocketman is a biopic about the singer Elton John (Taron Egerton), starting as a child piano player, becoming a professional musician, and then making it big. It tells Elton's story by illustrating his life-events with his songs and lyrics. The songs are cherry-picked to fit the story and are not chronological.  [imdb]    [photos]

Review: This is a musical version of Elton's life with breaks for singing and dancing, and it gives the flavor of his life without nit-picking detail. I came to see Rocketman for the songs, and there were plenty of them. Several were well-staged, and made the whole movie worth it. For example, rocket man is sung at the bottom of a pool.

If there is a dramatic arc, then it is that Elton became a drug addict, and he dries out. Why are so many singers drug addicts?

I liked to see the relationship with writer Bernie (Jamie Bell,) clearly the most important relationship in Elton's adult life. Since Bernie wrote the songs, the lyrics are not as meaningful to Elton's personal story. This robs the story of emotion.

The story needed to have a love scene, and Rocketman's pushes the limit; it was the most graphic male on male love scene that I have ever seen.

Taron Egerton does a nice job with the songs, and a decent job acting. Of course, Elton sings better.

 I liked the wrap-up where figures from Elton's past appear at an AA meetings, and where he embraces his childhood self. Elton is an executive producer of Rocketman, and so this ending is like his personal statement to the audience.

Cast: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard

Directed by: Dexter Fletcher

Written by: Lee Hall

The Music: Obviously Elton John songs sung by Taron Egerton

The Visuals: A few fun songs with clever productions, and some great costumes

Rating: 2.0 stars: It had a few good songs, but a lot of average ones.

 

More: I search my music library at home. It has no original Elton John song, but there is a saxophone-heavy instrumental version of Can you feel the Love Tonight? by John Tesh.

Even More: Director Fletcher says that Rocketman is "a story of Elton John unpacking all of his issues and baggage whilst in rehab."
.

.

.