My friend and I saw Rocketman this past Monday, the bio pic about Elton John. My pivotal years – middle and high school – were in the ‘80’s and I was aware of some of his story but didn’t know about his early years. Of course, then you didn’t have the internet so you couldn’t exactly deep dive into his life. My whole life has had his music in the background. The way the film intersperses his music with his story is fantastic. It’s campy at times. It is Elton John known for his duck suit, baseball uniforms, overalls, dresses, and wild outfits so you can expect this. And, his signature glasses. The glasses cover a lot of emotion in the film. Quite devastating at times.
I never knew he was a child prodigy. It’s jaw dropping to learn about his childhood in more ways than one. I won’t give out any spoilers. I’ve included links here to the movie trailer, a cast interview where they share what surprised them about him, and a Variety piece that compared fact to fiction in the biopic.
You will not be disappointed. It was all on point. My friend went in with low expectations and me thinking it’s going to go downhill at some point. It never did. The best part about his journey is in the end you know he found love. It’s a central part of the story – that struggle to find happiness. He’s been with his husband for 25 years so he has a happy ending. Helps to know this during the film. Also, everyone needs a Bernie Taupin in their life.
Taron Egerton, known for Kingsman: the Golden Circle, is awing as Elton John. I don’t think he missed a beat at any time – singing, dancing, acting, emotions. He embodies him. I hope they remember the film, director, and actors for Oscar season.
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I was fortunate enough to receive tickets to a pre-screening of Rocketman at Phipps, two weeks before it opened in theaters. Our theater was unmarked, save for the security guard outside the door. I, too, grew up with Elton as theme music to my life. I have vivid memories of laying in the giant back window/speaker area of our huge Cadillac, belting out Yellow Brick Road, along with our 8 Track of Elton’s Greatest Hits. My father has actually been mistaken for Elton while in Atlanta at places like The Buckhead Diner. Our whole family loves to sing Tiny Dancer in the car-in homage to Almost Famous. Elton has been an enormous part of my musical life. ❤️
We sang his songs in the car too growing up. I’ve been playing them for the kids since the movie’s come out. Also, belting out Rocketman around the house. I told them about the power of music in the Tiny Dancer scene from Almost Famous too. They’ve seen Pitch Perfect where they modeled their bus moment after Almost Famous. Elton’s and Bernie’s music is one of a kind. Read the Variety piece about how they wrote them all mostly in a weekend!