Taron Egerton delivers a truly superb portrayal of Elton John in “Rocketman,” an experience made all the more powerful by his own renditions of Elton John’s iconic hits. This Elton John Movie wisely acknowledges the impossibility of encapsulating every facet of a life as rich as Elton John’s within a standard two-hour runtime. Instead, the film, a blend of musical and biography, makes a deliberate and impactful choice to delve into Elton’s formative childhood years. This focus effectively illuminates the experiences and relationships that fundamentally shaped his destiny, particularly his pivotal early meeting with Bernie Taupin, his songwriting partner, portrayed convincingly by Jamie Bell.
While the supporting cast is replete with praiseworthy performances, two actors particularly stand out for their exceptional contributions. Bryce Dallas Howard masterfully embodies Elton’s mother, depicting her as irresponsibly neglectful and adulterous, adding layers to Elton’s complex upbringing. Richard Madden delivers a compelling performance as John Reid, Elton’s early lover and long-term manager, whose relationship with Elton extended professionally even after their romantic involvement concluded. These performances inject considerable depth into the narrative, poignantly highlighting Elton’s internal struggles and vulnerabilities, which manifested in his battles with substance abuse, a central theme explored in this elton john movie.
One can only hope that the significance of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s intertwined yet contrasting lives will soon be recognized on a larger scale. Their distinct personalities and extraordinary journeys arguably warrant a more expansive exploration, perhaps in the format of a ten-hour television mini-series. Such a format would undoubtedly provide ample time to delve into the multifaceted personal lives and unparalleled musical achievements of these two musical geniuses.
As it stands, “Rocketman” is an elton john movie that is undeniably worth watching. In my estimation, it earns a perfect score, a 10 out of 10, serving as a compelling quasi-autobiographical cinematic journey into the life of Elton John.
