Taron Egerton delivers a Golden Globe-winning performance as Elton John in this fantasy biopic that recounts his years as a young prodigy through to his musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.
"Rocketman is an epic musical that follows the transformation of shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John (Egerton). Set to Sir Elton's most beloved songs — performed by Egerton — the film tells the inspirational story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. Also starring Jamie Bell (as John's songwriting partner Bernie Taupin), Richard Madden, and Bryce Dallas Howard." (Toronto International Film Festival)
Best Original Song ("I'm Gonna Love Me Again"), Academy Awards 2020; Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy (Egerton) & Best Original Song - Motion Picture ("I'm Gonna Love Me Again"), Golden Globes 2020
2019Rating: M, Mature themes, drug use, sex scene and frequent coarse language121 minsUK
I was fond of the scene in Rocketman inspired by the legendary Troubadour concert, in which Elton John (Taron Egerton) teases a rendition of Crocodile Rock – starting slow and drawing out his lines, before applying an amphetamine pep to his step and cranking the dial to 11 and bringing the house down.
It’s been nearly 20 years since Elton John first started trying to get a film made about his life. Now the wait is finally over with the arrival of Rocketman, the visually stunning, audaciously slanted musical biopic dedicated to the flamboyant singer’s rise from obscurity to fame and fortune.
Rocketman sometimes feels like it's lost its way, especially near the end. But it's still a joyous celebration, a colourful story about love that can help people heal.
The result is a far more honest-feeling depiction of the stratospheric highs and cavernous lows of one of our greatest musical minds, with a never-better Egerton wearing his heart on his sleeve throughout.
While it's no Moonwalker, Rocketman's splashier moments will be far more challenging to music-but-not-musical fans than Rhapsody was. However, once you let your inhibitions and reservations go, two hours won't seem like any kind of Sacrifice at all.
A sequin-encrusted delight. On paper it reads like a by-the-book biopic; on screen it explodes with the kind of colour and energy that only Elton John himself could invoke.
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