First Take: Rocketman- the other, and *better* big musical biopic about a British star

SYNOPSIS: A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years.

The musical biopic has become a big moneyspinner for the major studios over the years- Fox tried with Bohemian Rhapsody back in October, but it was the release of a trailer for a Paramount film that got the world spinning. With Dexter Fletcher- best known to British TV viewers for his work on CITV’s Press Gang- on board to direct, you could argue that this take on Elton John’s story was a gamble. But my god, it paid off.

Fletcher is able to use the skills he’s picked up over the last few years working on films like Sunshine on Leith, Eddie the Eagle, and of course, his tiny stint finishing up Bohemian Rhapsody, to create a biopic that plays with the conventions of the genre, but also goes in to more detail than anybody would think- using the 15 certificate to its advantage, the 2 hours we have here are a warts and all tale of how Reggie Dwight became Elton John, and that is testament to the script from Lee Hall (the writer of Billy Elliot), who is not afraid to go deep into the drink, drugs, and sexual encounters that epitomised John’s personal life in the 1970s. It’s shot fantastically by George Richmond, and rounding out the technical crew is Matt Margeson on scoring duties- technically, this film excels. But it’s the performances that make this film really come alive.

Taron Egerton- the actor who just five years ago was on the verge of booking his first major Hollywood gig- is just sensational as Elton John, and of course, having worked with the man himself on Kingsman: The Golden Circle, it was ideal casting, and he is able to really pull this performance off easily. I wouldn’t be surprised if in awards season, we are still talking about this performance. Supporting him is an incredible cast which includes Jamie Bell (as long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin), Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, and many others. This film is able to do one thing that Bohemian Rhapsody couldn’t achieve- make the events of the film, even with the typical ‘events have been changed for dramatic purposes’ disclaimer, feel real and believable, and sure, while it doesn’t cover John’s career after 1983, it does a damn good job of telling the story it needs to tell.

THE VERDICT

Rocketman is a very enjoyable journey through Elton John’s early years, and even with the usual Hollywood distortion of the source material, is able to stand on its own two feet and tell its story well. Dexter Fletcher, as he did with Eddie the Eagle just three years ago, has nailed it.

RATING: 5/5