Rocketman Review: Elton John's Biopic is a Blast

'Rocketman' is a compelling, emotional and sincere exploration of how one of Britain's greatest music icons found his name and his fame

Taron Egerton as Elton John in 'Rocketman' (CREDIT: David Appleby/Paramount Pictures)

by Jack Linsdell

When entering my screening for this Dexter Fletcher-directed biopic about the life of British Rock icon Elton John, I was reminded by the poster that "Taron Egerton is Elton John". And, at first it seemed clear that Paramount Pictures and it's marketing team were selling this as a "movie star as famous person" pitch, cashing in on the rising fame of it's leading man and the global success garnered by the other over their fifty year career. Indeed, with audiences only turning up to see specific incarnations of characters they love ("Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt" or a "biopic about Freddie Mercury"), this seemed as fair sell. However, when I left the screening and glanced at the poster again, I realised this is not the main reason. Indeed, Taron Egerton truly is Elton John and his performance is so encapsulating that he commands the screen for every second the camera's on him, and despite excellent production values, well-judged direction, amazing vocals and a solid screenplay, becomes the staple for this film. If for nothing else, see this one for his performance, which is what Paramount's marketing really means.

We open with an adult Elton John, extravagantly dressed as always, strutting down a corridor, shrouded in a bright light which comes from behind him and into a rehab group meeting. He then sits and opens up to us about his problems before we flash back to his difficult and oppressed childhood on a London council estate. Throughout the one-hundred-twenty minute running time, we continuously intercut with a chronological exploration of Elton John's rise to stardom from childhood with a seriously damaged and insightful rock star telling us his story from this rehab meeting. Lee Hall's screenplay (other credits include Billy Elliot and the recent Queen Victoria biopic Victoria & Abdul) utilises an unusual non-linear structure for a biopic in that it's only until two-thirds of the way through (the mid-act climax) that we catch up with John at the rehab meeting in the present before continuing on into the future from there. One of the key's to good screenwriting is not only unique and well-told story content, but also structure, and Lee's clever use of an unconventional narrative form makes this biopic feel "fresh" and different from the one's audiences have been saturated with of recent. Indeed, Elton John was a pioneer in his style and energetic Rock music/fashion, so there's some irony to be had of this. 

However, Hall's screenplay cleverly weaves all of Elton John's most known hits and his lesser-heard and more personal tracks into it's story, with each one reflecting how our star is feeling at a particular point. Added to this, touches of compelling, character-led humour and scenes of fantastical, extravagant, ensemble dancing/musical numbers, Hall's script becomes wholly entertaining, yet still remaining true (Elton John has praised the film highly, stating "it's the truth if not all true") to our star's life. In between all of this, we get the desperate sense of a young boy, abandoned, alone, mistreated, underappreciated, who just wants to be hugged, and these scenes are tear-provoking, hair raising encounters. 

Worth a mention is Dexter Fletcher's direction, which correctly balances the extravagance and fantasy of it's infamous Rock legend, with uplifting musical numbers and small-scale, compelling character drama. Fletcher is most known for "saving" the recent Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody after being brought in to oversee reshoots and post-production after the firing of original director Bryan Singer (X-Men, Usual Suspects) after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced. However, despite knowing him as a face in minor roles in many low-budget British films, Fletcher came to prominence for me when he directed the sports biopic about the life of ski-jumper Eddie Edwards in Eddie The Eagle, in which Egerton also starred as the titular character. Rocketman reunites him with producer Matthew Vaughan (Kingsman), Egerton and composer Matthew Margeson - all from Eddie The Eagle. And, much like that flick, Fletcher's direction deliberately (and correctly) takes a back seat, allowing Egerton's starring performance to shine and carry the film, whilst subtlety supporting the performance through metaphorical camera shots, understated editing rhythms and a simple alignment with every character's motivations. He's one I'm excited to see more of in the future, and especially if he's teaming up with Vaughan and Egerton on a "based on a true British icon" biopic. 

The highlight is obviously Taron Egerton's performance which although not a direct "carbon copy" both in appearance and vocals, does brilliantly in capturing the isolation, extravagance and raw musical talent of Elton John. John insisted that the leading actor sing his own vocals and not do a direct impersonation, and this allows Egerton a freedom to perform yet remain integral and truthful, which could only help to elevate his performance and capture the essence of who Elton John truly was and who he became. Egerton's vocals (for not being a singer) are incredible, and he handles every number with a passionate, yet not overstated essence. He commands the screen for every moment he appears, and it is truly a career defining performance - you heard it hear first folks, but an Oscar and BAFTA nomination is defiantly coming his way, let alone a well-deserved win (?) during the awards season next year. He's proven himself to be one of Britain's finest up and coming actors and whether or not he gains awards success later on (he might, and he should), the critical and for-shore commercial success of Rocketman will become the defining moment of his career - and ironically a big part of why the film has been (and will continue) to do so well.

In short, Dexter Fletcher's Rocketman is a true work of genius, celebrating the life and music of Elton John not through a series of "we're on top of the world" musical numbers thrown in for nostalgic good will, but through a truthful, compelling, funny, joyous and uplifting drama, that just happens to include all of the greatest hits you love and the underrated tracks you don't from the 'Tiny Dancer' hitmaker. With a attention-holding star performance and amazing production values bringing to life a fresh and solidly told screenplay, Rocketman can't help but become one of the summer's best films. Go check it out everyone, it's well worth the price of a cinema ticket.

5/5 STARS