written by lee hall
directed by dexter fletcher
rating: ⭐️ Better than a psl
Rocketman is the larger-than-life fantasy biopic about the legendary Sir Elton John. Directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by Lee Hall, this film sets out to tell Elton’s story conceptually rather than give a chronological play by play of his life. This was a decision that Elton supported as he stated that he has spent much of his life in a fantasy daydream rather than based solely in reality. Taron Egerton plays Elton John and gives us an incredible performance. The world does not deserve Egerton and the way that he is able to so seamlessly transform himself into another person as he has in Rocketman and Eddie the Eagle. His performance as Elton John features intense moments of raw vulnerability, flashes of blinding rage, performances of songs that transport the audience to another dimension, and an ever-present underlying pang of loneliness. Beyond the brilliant acting Egerton also had the challenge of singing all of the songs as this was a requirement that Elton insisted upon. Not only did Egerton deliver in the acting department, but he also excels vocally.
Another highlight of this film is the cinematography. Through dramatic lighting designs and creative camera work, this film sweeps the audience off their feet and into the emotional fantasy of Elton’s dramatic life. A particularly poetic way that Elton’s story is told is through the costuming. You see Elton’s evolution told clearly through his wardrobe throughout the film. Most noteworthy are the costume changes throughout his stint in rehab. He arrives garishly dressed in a performance costume that quite literally represents his demons. As he shares his story, he removes the layers of this costume, allowing the audience into his authentic life.
After the overwhelming response to Bohemian Rhapsody last year it was fun to see that Rocketman was also able to honor the life of a musical legend without following the same style as Bohemian Rhapsody. While Bohemian Rhapsody stayed closer to the true story of Freddie Mercury, Rocketman stays close to the spirit of Elton John while modifying factual details as the director and writer saw fit. While Rocketman is also receiving a lot of praise in the United States, some countries such as Samoa have banned the film due to homosexual content. It is heartbreaking to see that Elton John is still receiving backlash for his sexual orientation. In earlier iterations of the film, they considered limiting the amount of screen time for Elton’s sexual promiscuity and rampant drug use, but Elton fought to keep the less glamorous parts of his life in the film. He did not want to be glorified for someone he was not; he wanted the audience to see his successes and his struggles. Overall, Rocketman does a brilliant job of creatively telling the story of one of music’s most iconic performers of all time.
Review written by Zianna Weston
