Written by Tom Moore
In the past couple of years, we’ve seen a slew of biopics that have basically followed the same kind of “behind the music” formula. While films like Bohemian Rhapsody are, for the most part, well-liked and uniquely made—it’s kind of hard to ignore their formulaic storytelling. The audience goes through the subject’s life checking boxes that either say “I knew this about them,” or “I didn’t know this about them,” “Here’s where they get there name,” “Here’s where they get addicted to drugs,” or “Here’s when they wrote that song.” I’ve always felt this formula works against what these biopics should be about, as it forces the audience to connect to the “accuracy” of the film or the songs in it rather than the artist it’s about.
That’s why Rocketman, the highly-anticipated biopic about Elton John (Taron Egerton), is so unbelievably amazing—it’s about as far as possible from being formulaic. Truthfully, I’ve never seen a biopic so imaginative, passionate, and fantastical. It offers something so much more than just the highs and lows of Elton John’s career. It has pure heart, raw emotion, and never plays it safe when touching on the gut-wrenching struggle that the iconic singer faces. It’s a film that looks at both sides of the singer: the bombastic and energetic Elton John and the internal struggle of Reggie Dwight.
The film is actually played as more of a musical with some of Elton’s best works setting the scene for the story. In other biopics, the music is used just for a quick, nostalgic wink to the audience, however that’s not what happens in Rocketman. When Elton’s singing ‘Tiny Dancer’ after he feels like his song-writing partner Bernie (Jamie Bell) is leaving him — the song is quite sad and somber and it makes it a part of Elton’s story. Numerous other songs are used in the same way and the songs appear without introduction, so there’s a bit of a surprise when they occur. You feel more emotional towards each song because they are such a strong part of both Elton and Reggie’s story.
When it comes to Elton’s story, the crazy, flamboyant, and flashy elements many associate with the iconic singer are there in full force. The costume design is stunning and there’s plenty of fun had with the colorful and imaginative outfits that Elton performed in.
The idea of his story being told through a musical is truly brilliant, not just because it sets it apart, but I honestly can’t think of a better way for Elton John’s story to be told. It leads to some fantastic singing by everyone, not just Egerton, some imaginative fantasy moments that elevate the songs to new heights, and there’s some great choreography and use of the frame that showcases the masterful directing from Dexter Fletcher. Honestly, after leaving Rocketman, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking how great Bohemian Rhapsody would’ve been if it was really in Fletcher’s hands the whole time.
However, what really makes Rocketman so special is that it doesn’t treat its main character like a celebrity, instead creating a person that viewers can follow and relate to. Right from the start, we see Reggie’s struggles with his parents and how his struggles continue throughout his life with his growing drug addiction to cope with pain, his toxic relationship with his manager and lover John Reid (Richard Madden), and his inability to be completely open about his sexual identity. Watching him grow as Reggie and not just Elton really makes you care about him and it’s hard not find yourself feeling emotional for him when he’s feeling blue. Seeing him snort his first dose of cocaine and how broken he became by being forced to perform really made my heart sink because the film gives the viewer an affinity for his passion for music and those around him and it hurts to see him struggle.
Rocketman also provides some excellent themes and thoughts about self-love, self-understanding, and acceptance that are hard not to love. Throughout, the story builds towards Reggie’s self-realization of the mistakes he’s made in his life and scenes where he basically tells his story in a rehab meeting, which I found a little cliché at first. By the end of the film’s true emotional climax, there’s a sense of comfort and joy from knowing that things were finally going to be better for Reggie and the sounds of audible crying and sniffles filled my theater.
Honestly, it’s funny talking about Elton/Reggie like they’re characters in a film rather than actual people because there’s a sense of authenticity throughout the film that perhaps comes from Elton John’s producer credit that it almost makes you forget that this story is true.
That’s thanks in large part to how astounding Egerton’s performance is and how his singing makes each song feel, as said in the film, personal and honest. He not only captures the walk and talk of Elton John, but the true raw emotion of doubt, self-hate, and issues that he felt throughout his life. Not to mention, he does Elton John incredible justice by capturing the spirit and mannerisms of his performing while making it his own with his own voice and the film does, sort of, create different versions of Elton’s songs to work with the tone of scenes perfectly.
Even the younger versions played by Matthew Illesly and Kit Connor capture and match Egerton’s performance perfectly and, it has to be said, have fantastic singing voices—especially Connor. I also really want to mention how great Bell is, as he brings a true sense of support that’s heartwarming to have and really resembles the, as the film states, argument-free relationship they have.
Even writing about Rocketman now, I already have this insatiable need to see it again as it’s a true game-changer. Personally, after this, I don’t think I can enjoy a run-of-the-mill music biopic again. Rocketman’s more personal, in-depth look sets a new bar for the genre as a whole. Instead of distracting audiences with dates and names of places, jammed in songs, or “fun fact” moments, it offers a truly personal look at Elton John that proudly opens it heart to suck viewers in. Just like when Elton John came onto the music scene, Rocketman makes sure that things won’t be the same and fans will feel proud that one of the iconic names in music has a film that entirely lives up to his name. If Rocketman and especially Egerton don’t have a strong presence when awards season rolls around, I say we riot.
