Rocketman-2019

Director Dexter Fletcher

Starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell

Scott’s Review #906

Reviewed June 5, 2019

Grade: A

Following the unexpected success of 2018’s rock biography Bohemian Rhapsody comes the similarly themed Rocketman (2019).

This time, the subject at hand is Elton John, rather than Freddie Mercury, but both storied figures share unquestionable comparisons, as their successes, failures, and struggles are well-documented.

Both films take their names from popular title songs, and both feature the same director, Dexter Fletcher.

Freddie Mercury and Elton John are both larger-than-life onstage personas, yet both reportedly suffered from shyness, creating characters to portray that helped ease their difficulties.

Rocketman gets the slight edge over Bohemian Rhapsody when comparing the two, with experimental and psychedelic sequences making the experience more left of center than the latter and lacking a hefty feel-good component.

I would venture to assess that Rocketman has darker overtones.

The film opens impressively as an adult, successful Elton John (Taron Egerton) attends a support group therapy session in rehab, begrudgingly. This scene will recur throughout the film as John slowly reveals more to the group about his childhood, rise to fame, and struggles with numerous demons.

This is key to the enjoyment of the film, as it frequently backtracks in time, allowing us to see John’s development both as a musician and on a personal level.

Many scenes unfold like a Broadway play, which is an ingenious approach, not only a treat for fans of John’s vast catalog of songs but also immensely creative from a cinematic perspective.

At the film’s high point, the scenes are not only showy but also propel the direction of the film, rather than slowing down the events.

Fantastic are the offerings of hit songs like “Tiny Dancer”, as shown during John’s first trip to Los Angeles, where he is forced to witness the then-crush, Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell), take up with a supermodel at an LSD-infused Hollywood party.

The musical numbers offer glimpses into the mind and heart of Elton and other characters through song. A teary number occurs early on when a pained, boyish Elton is learning to play the piano, facing struggles at home.

When the song begins, it is Elton’s tune to carry, but then his father sings a few lines, followed by his mother and then his grandmother. Each person offers their perspective based on the lyrics they are singing.

The beauty of this scene is powerful and sets the tone for the scenes to follow.

Rocketman is an emotionally charged film, evoking laughter and tears throughout its duration. Thanks to Egerton, who carries the film, the audience cares for him as a human being instead of a larger-than-life rock star.

We feel his pain, cry his tears, and smile during rare moments when he is content. He faces insecurity, sex addiction, drug and alcohol addiction, and an eating disorder. Through Egerton, we face the battles alongside him.

Elton John serves as Executive Producer of the film, providing a measure of truth and honesty in storytelling, something Bohemian Rhapsody was accused of not containing. John’s parents are portrayed accurately and decidedly, and both mother and father are dastardly, nearly ruining Elton’s self-esteem for life.

Dallas Bryce-Howard, as his mother, is happy to capitalize financially on his fame, but sticks a dagger in his heart when she professes he will never be loved since he is a gay man.

His father is nearly as bad. Abandoning his loveless marriage to Elton’s mother, he eventually finds happiness with another woman and produces two boys. He can never love his eldest son, despite Elton’s efforts to reconnect.

To add insult to injury, his father asks him to cross out the words “to Dad” on an album autograph, instead requesting that it be given to a colleague. Elton is devastated.

Events are not all dire and dreary, as with his parents and a major suicide attempt. Happier times are shown, and his grandmother (wonderfully played by Gemma Jones) remains an ardent supporter.

His relationship with Taupin is one of the most benevolent and life-long causes of trust and respect, and once his act is cleaned up, Elton can appreciate the finer things in life more completely.

Egerton performs beautifully in both acting and singing capabilities, but lacks the singing chops that Elton John has. The decision was made not to have Egerton lip-sync, which deserves its measure of praise.

It’s interesting to wonder what the opposite choice would have resulted in. Like with Bohemian Rhapsody, we are left with a brilliant portrayal of John by Egerton.

Watched in tandem with Bohemian Rhapsody, a great idea given the back-to-back releases, is one recommendation for comparison’s sake.

Offering a more creative experience, again, the musical numbers are superb. Both switching through the back and forth timelines, Rocketman (2019) squeaks out the victory for me, and doesn’t the victor get the spoils?

If Rami Malek won the coveted Best Actor Oscar statuette, what would that mean for the tremendous turn that Egerton gives?

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Original Song-“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again (won)