Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Dexter Fletcher, Paramount Pictures, MA 121 Minutes.
This entertaining, warts and all, biopic from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ director Dexter Fletcher on the transformation of the talented child prodigy Reginal Dwight into the renowned musical superstar Elton John is compelling as it is disturbing.
Fletcher initially introduces Elton (Taron Egerton – ‘Eddie the Eagle’) to enthusiasts dressed-up in an orange bodysuit with exotic plumage as he disrupts a group therapy session to tell his life story, starting with his difficult childhood in a dysfunctional family.
Except for his adoring granny (Gemma Jones – ‘Ammonite’), the only one encouraging him to develop his piano skills, Reggie receives minimal affection from his self-centred mother Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard – ‘Jurassic World’) and far less from his loathsome father (Steven Mackintosh – ‘Gold’).
Elton’s most important break comes after meeting-up with lyricist Bernie Taupin (Jaimie Bell – ‘Fantastic Four’), with whom he forms a lifetime personal and professional relationship and composes a succession commencing his stellar musical career.
It is during his formative years that Reggie adopts the name of Elton John for his first US performance, which is later supplemented by a range of extravagant costumes designed to promote a different persona to the public.
But as his career develops Elton’s stardom is beset by several emotional and personal setbacks, not least being the relationship with his parents as well as his involvement with drugs and gay men, especially the devious John Reid (Richard Madden – ‘Bastille Day’).
It is only in the concluding scenes where the superstar has reached a degree of fulfilment in his life due to his enduring friendship with Bernie, the love of his world-wide fans-and after dispensing of his drug addiction.
Fletcher has crafted a fitting musical biography of the legendary rock singer, filled with many of his celebrated songs and highlighted by one of his favourite musical pieces “I’m still standing” sung by the superstar himself in the closing credits.
Besides Bell’s convincing portrayal as Elton’s best buddy there is no denying the powerful performance of Egerton playing the larger-than-life legend – in which he sings all of his major songs throughout the movie.
For many fans, especially music lovers everywhere, it is Elton’s songs that defined his musical career and endeared him to everyone throughout the world.
Rocketman is to be televised on Channel 9 at 8.30pm on Saturday 1 May.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
