Dir. Dexter Fletcher
I loved this movie. I’ve been sold on it since I heard the casting, absolutely lost my mind when I saw the trailers, and the build up to this movie has caused me to listen to more Elton John in the last six months than probably the last six years before it. Going in with such lofty expectations, I was basically destined to be disappointed yet I truly enjoyed almost every minute of this movie. (And it got me into Honkycat, which was not previously on my song rotation.) I found the beginning featuring Elton as a child a bit slow, but once Taron Egerton took over in the portrayal I was all in.
By far the most unfortunate aspect of this movie is the timing, it’s hard for another rockstar biopic to get the shine it rightfully deserves from audiences after the almost exhausting hype of Bohemian Rhapsody. (And I would argue, mostly unearned hype, with the exception of Rami’s incredible performance.) But just like Rami, Taron Egerton put his whole heart and soul into this performance and it positively jumps off the screen. And unlike Rami, Taron did his own singing and flexed his vocals all over this movie. Nobody can perfectly recreate Elton’s unique tone but Taron did the best I believe could ever have ever been done. If he’s not in the Oscar conversation later this year, I will be flying myself to the Academy ready and truly prepared to fight.
There’s no real way to measure influence, but the fact that Elton John was such an integral part of the filmmaking helped it feel true and organic to his story as told by him. This movie isn’t a straight-forward biopic and its swan dive into magical realism makes the movie magnificent to watch yes, but also explains away it’s bias and hazy perspective of certain events. This is a story being told by a man high on life, fame, and an absolute cacophony of drugs. The messiness of the film only enhances it’s believability. Bohemian Rhapsody was an enjoyable time at the theater but fell short in representing Freddie Mercury when it so clearly was looking for ways to appease the remaining members of Queen. I didn’t quite trust the story as it was told and immediately felt the need to Google Freddie and yell at my roommate in weird triumph when I found that that my suspicions about the film’s inaccurate version of history was correct. The fact that I could pull out not just wikipedia, but several videos of Elton himself standing by the movie and its representation of him, made it sit much better in my mind.
The performances in this movie were wonderful across the board. I could go on for a long time about the many ways Taron succeeded in his portrayal. From his look to his voice, he was Elton John (nee Reginald Dwight). There was no hint of the square-jawed action hero that he came to the mainstream playing in Kingsman. (And his ability to disappear into a role isn’t a surprise if you’ve seen the underrated Eddie the Eagle, in which he’s similarly unrecognizable.) He did what I’m sure is irreparable damage to his hairline in pursuit of accuracy and it pays off. And if there’s any fans of Your Song reading this, good news! He sounds gorgeous singing it and the way that scene is played out made it possibly my favorite of the movie. The other half of said favorite scene was Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin. Bernie is a sort of soul mate to Elton and one of the emotional hearts of this movie. He’s realistic and funny, but also temperate and steadfast, a wonderful counter-balance to the intense Drama of Elton. Jamie Bell nailed this relatively simple performance but so effectively I wanted him to be my best friend after watching this and I don’t think I’ve ever had a strong emotion about Jamie Bell before. (Perhaps due to leftover resentment from Fant4stic that’s only now beginning to fade.) I’ve seen a good amount of praise for Bryce Dallas Howard as well, and while I have no complaints about her acting, I do think it was rather one note as Elton’s mother wasn’t given the type of development that lends itself to a three-dimensional performance. Although she plays well as a figurehead, a love withholding ghost in Elton’s past, contributing to his search for love in all the wrong places.
And love in the wrong place comes in the distressingly hot form of Richard Madden as John Reid, Elton’s first boyfriend and predatory business manager. His character is awful but if you like men, I promise you’d also let him ruin your life at least for a little bit. Even if you don’t like men. You’d consider it. I’m ordering my ticket to Scotland so I can find one moderately attractive man to talk to me in that voice. His acting is good too. (And he sings! He’s not incredible but what a pleasant surprise!)
As I mentioned earlier, the film does feel messy in parts. Time slows down and speeds up at random intervals and there’s very little indication of its passage. The rise and fall of bell-bottoms as well as gradual loss of hair are the main calendars by which the audience can see time has passed at all. I found out the Taron’s first scene in a high energy rendition of Saturday Nights are Alright for Fighting was meant to depict a 17 year old Elton by watching a behind the scenes video on Youtube. I would never have guessed that and would have appreciated some other clues to when these life milestones were taking place. Most significantly the end of the movie feels abrupt. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t want the movie to end, but I was upset when I felt the movie creeping towards its conclusion. A large part of the movie is spent on Richard Madden as the de facto emotional villain, and the end of the movie deprived us of the real world professional break up between Elton and John that you’re craving by halfway through the film. When does Elton free himself of this irritatingly attractive weasel-man, I need to know. I want to see him meet his husband when he’s been looking for love for so much of the movie. And as unrepentant 90s baby, I want to see Can You Feel the Love Tonight! Even if it’s just in the credits! (Possibly with Lion King coming out so soon, they thought we as a society would revisit it soon enough.) But despite the things it left me wanting, the film ends on an emotional high that wonderfully concludes this journey for self-love.
Stop reading this! Go see Rocketman! And wear enough glitter to make Elton proud.