This Elton John biopic contained a couple of surprises for me. Firstly, it’s got some elements of fantasy about it which I didn’t particularly dig and secondly, it’s a musical! Now, I know what you’re thinking… “of course it’s a musical, he’s Elton flippin’ John, you moron”. But the thing is, I knew his music would feature in the film but I just didn’t realise people would be talking to each other then suddenly start singing their feelings.
Now, all that said, I did enjoy this film. About 3.5 stars worth of enjoyment for me and a “solid four” from the friend who I took along to the premiere. Though before you place any great weight on her assessment, you should know her annual Christmas movie tradition is Silence of the Lambs so make of that what you will.
Taron Egerton stars - and I mean stars - as Elton John. He’s really fantastic in this and so is Richard Madden as his manager and some-time lover. (In fact, Richard is so good at playing really nasty that it rather put in a pin in my usual swooning over him. *sigh*)
Fun fact for fans of the TV show Press Gang, the actor who played Spike Thompson - Dexter Fletcher - directed this film.
Rocketman, which is authorised by Elton himself, is a brutally honest and at times is really very unflattering but I rate that. It’s a warts-and-all account of Elton’s rise to fame and a jolly good reminder of what an incredible catalogue of songs he’s performed. Whether his family, friends and professional associates agree with how they’re portrayed is another matter entirely.
Here’s a three star review in The Guardian if you want to read more. Trailer here.
Now, I’m off to buy some of his music!
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Rocketman opens in cinemas on 30 May and is rated M.