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 Reginald Dwight into the renowned musical superstar Elton John is both compelling as it is disturbing.
Fletcher initially introduces Elton (Taron Egerton –‘Eddie the Eagle’) to moviegoers dressed up in an orange bodysuit with exotic plumage as he disrupts a group therapy session to tell his life story commencing with his difficult childhood in a dysfunctional family.
Except for his adoring granny (Gemma Jones –‘Carnage’) the only one encouraging him to develop his piano skills, Reggie receives minimal affection from his self-centered mother Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard –‘Jurassic World’) and much less from his loathsome father (Steven Mackintosh –‘Gold’).
Elton’s big break comes after meeting up with lyricist Bernie Taupin (Jaimie Bell –‘Fantastic Four’) with whom he forms a lifetime personal and professional relationship, composing a succession of songs which are the start of his stellar 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 disappointments, not least being the relationship with his parents including his involvement with drugs and gay men, especially the devious John Reid (Richard Madden –‘Bastille Day’).
It is only in the concluding scenes where Elton has apparently reached a degree of fulfilment in his life due to his enduring friendship with Bernie and the love of his worldwide fans, even after dispensing with his drug addiction.
Fletcher has crafted a fitting musical biography of the legendary rock singer filled with many of his celebrated songs highlighting one of his favoured 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 has defined his musical career and endeared him to everyone throughout the world.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
