Rocketman: Film Review

Synopsis

Rocketman tells the story of Elton John's (Taron Egerton) life, from his childhood years at the Royal Academy to his rise to stardom and from his musical relationship with Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) to his personal relationship with sex, drugs, and rock n' roll.

Review

The film is a bit by the numbers but not so much that it hampers the originality, meaning that it falls into some common conventions of the "rock biopic" but it's so original that it doesn't really matter. It is an amalgam of cliches but respectful (mostly) in its homage. It is successful in its goal to navigate the highs and lows of Elton John's life (his drug addiction, family issues), showing the gritty and problematic life behind the performer. This is NOT a movie with music like Bohemian Rhapsody, it is more of a jukebox musical, using the songs of Elton John to tell a (somewhat) cohesive story. The timeline gats a little blurry, but that's not the point of the story. Also, all the songs seemed to work where they were placed. Taron Egerton is fantastic. I liken his portrayal to Rami Malek’s of Freddie Mercury in 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody (which Fletcher partly directed): transformative, immersive, and Oscar-worthy (a nomination, at least). The film thrives with his performance, meaning that the first 20-25 minutes that focus on his childhood are quite lackluster and aren’t a good indicator at all of the film that is to come. All the supporting cast was good (especially Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin), except Bryce Dallas Howard (don’t get me wrong, she’s not bad, her performance just seems the most forced). It’s so out there, but it works because it mirrors the life of its out there subject. Some of the imagery is a little on the nose (becoming a rocket while singing “Rocket Man”) but it adds to the outrageousness and larger-than-life aspect of the story. I will say that you've got to go along with it. If you get stuck in the logistics of the film, you will not enjoy it. You must suspend belief while watching this film. It took me about 25 minutes (when Taron Egerton comes on the screen) to come into my liking of it. Overall, the film is energetic, fun, and just so damn ALIVE.