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Rocketman (2019)
The traditional musical is the oldest film genre and it still relies on magical fantasy for suspending audience disbelief. This allows characters to spontaneously break into song or dance, unlike musical bio-pics such as Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) that realistically integrate the music into their narrative flow. The epic-scaled Rocketman (2019) is a nostalgic reversion to the traditional musical form; knowing this beforehand helps to make sense of what is a swirling kaleidoscope of emotion and music.
Where bio-pics tend to look at a life story, the musical Rocketman is a selective biography that traces a musical icon’s ascent to the starry heavens during the 70s. The opening minutes are bold, brash, and fantastical: Elton John (Taron Egerton) is resplendent in high-arch feathered sequins, storming toward camera after bailing out of a packed concert hall. He walks across a city and straight into an alcoholic rehab group, plonks into a chair and, staring through trademark crazy glasses, proceeds to unravel his journey as a lonely youth prodigy who became a substance abusing mega-star.
What follows is a series of loosely connected vignettes that use musical lyrics as narrative entry-points to explain his complex vulnerabilities. The young Reginald Dwight was raised by emotionally abusive parents who were incapable of loving him, a burden that intensified his desire to be whatever it took to please others. Encouraged by his grandmother, his musical talent grew as a self-defensive response to what he experienced as an uncaring world. The mature Elton John progressed to singing odes of pain, awe, and confused sexual identity, mostly delivered with flamboyance and electric energy. Much of it comes from an unhappy place and this makes the film more revelationery than celebratory.
Taron Egerton channels the icon with mesmerising brilliance; it is a performance made more astonishing by singing with authenticity a dozen songs from Elton John’s enormous repertoire. The cinematography is as exuberant as the performances; many scenes verge on musical artworks as the human dynamo appears disconnected from the earth’s gravity. The sets and costumes are fabulous, and the pace of the story is captivating.
What you take away from Rocketman depends on what you bring in terms of fan status and personal interest. Some will see it as a story of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll; others a musical hero’s journey to mega-celebrity. Others may reflect on why there are so many music-inspired films in current cinema. The rise of anti-progressive forces in today’s frenetic and fractured world means new generations lack heroes; the revival of heroic musicians might go some way to filling this gap.
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Stars: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden
CineMuseFilms 
It helped that Taron Egerton had such a good voice as well. I enjoyed this film immensely and, much to my surprise and delight, discovered I liked Elton John’s music during the journey. Who would have guessed?
I did not need to be converted to this genre as I’ve always been a fan of musicals.This was non-stop entertainment despite John’s troubled past. I’m happy to know that his life has worked out well and he’s been on the wagon for 28 years.
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To be honest, Elton John’s music has never come onto my radar but it will now. Egerton’s voice is remarkably like Elton John’s which adds huge impact to the performance. If we knew it was mimed it simply may not have worked, dont you think?
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Oh yes, I agree Richard. Even though miming is almost imperceptible these days, knowing it was the ‘real McCoy’ was part of the charm. Every time he opened his mouth to sing a note I was enthralled once again.
I look on Elton John’s music with new respect. His piano playing was amazing!
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A couple of films come to mind with regard to skirting around the musical genre. One. Lars Von Trier’s “Dancer in the Dark”:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168629/
contained many musical numbers that seemed almost incidental to the story. (BTW this film elicited the greatest number of buckets of tears shed by me during any film so far).
The other was ’76 cult classic ” The Wicker Man”.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070917/
A modern day version could be the Polish film “Cold War”.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6543652/
None of these films would be officially categorised as being musicals but contained enough singing and dancing (at times) to keep my eyes glued to the screen as I really like musical input especially singing.
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I have been a fan of Elton John for over 45 years and look forward to seeing this movie. It is especially gratifying to learn that is it so well done.
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Imagine our surprise–a group of filmies gather to see Rocketman on premiere night. None of us likes musicals. None of us realize that this film is billed as a musical. Our discussions after the film were animated. Though we were all initially mortified to realize what we’d voluntarily stepped into, we all agreed that the film worked despite the few occasions of musical idiosyncrasies. We were also a mixed age group. I was astonished to realize that the younger ones knew nothing about Elton John, the man, or Elton John, the musician. Talk about feeling old. But I have always had a respect for Elton’s musicality, despite his over-the-top antics. I’m so glad he pulled his life together and is now living drug-free with a loving family.
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LOL! Imagine being lulled into a musical without knowing it. So glad you have found a way through this Linda; well done.
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