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A review by Shlomoh Sherman June 4, 2019 Read about Rocket Man On the Internet Movie Data Base |
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A review by Shlomoh Sherman June 4, 2019 Read about Rocket Man On the Internet Movie Data Base |
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Rocket Man (2019) Plot Synopsis: A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John's breakthrough years. Director: Dexter Fletcher Writer: Lee Hall (screenplay) Stars: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden - See more cast below Plot Keywords: pop music - pianist - musician - rock star Taglines: The only way to tell his story is to live his fantasy Genres: Biography - Drama - Music - Musical Motion Picture Rating (MPAA) Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content Parents Guide: See below Country: UK - USA Language: English Release Date: May 31, 2019 (USA) Filming Locations: Bray Studios, England, UK Box Office: Budget: $40,000,000 (estimated) Company Credits: Production Co: Marv Films, Marv Studios, New Republic Pictures Runtime: 121 min Sound Mix: Dolby Surround 7.1 Color: Color 1 nomination. See below |
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Review:
And I think it's gonna be a long long time Before watching this film, I knew very little about the life of Elton John other than he is a great vocal artist, that he suffered from some kind of throat issue which he overcame, and that he is gay and married. I did not know that his life has been filled with pain, that he grew up with an unloving father who refused to give him the affection that he desired while giving that very affection to his siblings. One can imagine the young Elton agonizing about what he could possibly have done to distance his father from him. Possibly he sought out that missing affection in the arms of his numerous male lovers, and in the abuse of so many substances, to such a degree as would have killed another man. The lyrics of his life seem to write themselves ----
What have I got to do to make you love me? No, Elton John was not the man I thought he was at home. The degree of energy that Elton, even as a sex and drug addict, has given to his craft, his amazing talent, his wild life, shows him not only as a Rocket Man but as his own personal rocket burning out the fuse of that wild life, and all alone even when surrounded by his many friends and fans. I don't belive I have ever seen Taron Egerton, the amazing, highly talented young man who portrays Elton. This actor deserves an award, more than one. Actor, dancer and singer; Taron's own voice is the one we hear belting out Elton's songs. Elton himself reportedly has said that watching Taron perform his music, "If I didn't know better, I would think that it's my real voice coming out of him." High praise from Mr. Rocket Man himself. Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer ... was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John The film portrays his parents as rather cold in their relationship with the young musical genius but emotionally supported by his doting grandmother who encouraged Elton to pursue training as a classical artist. Elton's talent was very early on disovered by British agents and managers and his career took off early in his life. But in spite of his almost immediate success, both in England and America, an overwhelming saddness haunted him, causing difficuties in his personal relationships. In that context, the words "It's lonely out in space on such a timeless flight" take on new meaning, as do many of his lyrics once you learn his story. An example might be an indictment of a former lover ----
Don't go breaking my heart ... Or this to show his anguish -----
If you feel that it's real I'm on trial Elton gave his heart to his public and didn't want to be judged negatively because of his sexual orientation. When he finally did confide to his mother that he is gay, it was obvious that she already knew, and perhaps his father did as well and it may have contributed to his father's remoteness. Thankfully, with the support of the people closest to him and years of psychotherapy, and maybe with the adoration of his fans, Elton was able to overcome the painfull adversities afflicting him. Later in his life, Elton entered a happy marriage and adopted two children. He was also knighted by the Queen. I recall watching princess Diana's funeral on television, and hearing Elton singing a revised version of Candle In the Wind in honor of Diana's life. To drive home the extraordinary outcome of his volotile life, towards the end of the film, Elton breaks out in song and dance ---
Did you think this fool could never win? The movie is presented as a kind of fantasy in which the events of Elton's life are played out, hilighted by him singing the songs we all know and love. The music, the dancing, the panorama that is Elton John's story make for a wonderful 121 minutes of sheer joy. I can't say enough about this movie since there is so much to it to do an adequate job in a review such as this. As usual, I include in my movie reviews, at excerpt from at least one reviewer on IMDB. Here is one from French Eddie Felson's May 31, 2019 review: "This film is conceived like a musical based on the songs and the life of Elton John, from the 50s to the early 80s, the selected songs being representative of the manifold events of his life, the ups ... and the downs ... his childhood during which he quickly turns out to be a natural born musician ... the first cures of detoxification (alcohol, drugs). The movie ends with the punchy 'I'm still standing', a song written in 1983, ... foreshadowing a frantic recovery of his life. One of my favorite scenes among many others is the meeting at the Royal Academy of Music, with the third movement of the Sonata Piano No. 11 by Mozart played twice. I do not know if it's true but, if so, this child is bluffing and an early genius! The costumes are superb and the actors are fabulous. The realization is ingenious especially with the appropriate and relevant insertion of the songs in the film, like in a musical." KUDOS TO Taron Egerton as Elton John; never having seen him perform before, I am simply blown away by his multi-talents. Look for big things from him and many awards. |
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Trivia: Marks Dexter Fletcher's second biographical movie about a music icon. Fletcher also completed work on Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). Jamie Bell (who plays Bernie Taupin) played the lead role in the film version of Billy Elliot (2000). Elton John was a key figure in helping develop the stage version of the film. Taron Egerton does all of his own singing in the film. Elton John told Taron Egerton to not copy him too much in the film, and make his own version out of it. Elton John co-starred with Taron Egerton in Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). Egerton even sang John's hit "I'm Still Standing" in Sing (2016). The exterior footage of early 1970s LA during the Troubadour club era was stock 35 mm footage that was digitally cleaned up as it would have been far too impractical and expensive to redecorate parts of Sunset Boulevard in a 1970s style just for the few seconds of film required. This is Taron Egerton's third movie featuring Elton John as a character or contributor. The first movie was Sing (2016) where Egerton sang Elton John's "I'm Still Standing." The second time, Elton John is co-starred in Egerton's Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). In this film, Egerton plays his own version of Elton John. James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe were considered to play Elton John. Back in 2012, Elton John revealed his top choice to play him in a biopic was Justin Timberlake. When Elton calls his mother to tell her he's gay, she and Fred are watching Liberace on television. Appropriately enough, Liberace was also a flamboyant piano player whose homosexuality was not widely known during his lifetime. When Elton John is seen going through his record collection, Queen's 1976 album A Day At The Races is briefly visible. A possible nod to Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), on which Dexter Fletcher did finalizing work. Elton's suicide attempt is portrayed as the inspiration for the song Rocket Man. Rocket Man was in fact inspired by actual NASA scientists, but a later suicide attempt; in which he stuck his head in an oven but was rescued by Bernie; inspired the song "Someone Saved My Life Tonight."
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PARENTS GUIDE FOR ROCKETMAN (2019) Certification: MPAA Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content Certifications: SEX & NUDITY VIOLENCE & GORE: PROFANITY: ALCOHOL, DRUGS & SMOKING: FRIGHTENING & INTENSE SCENES: SPOILERS: SEX & NUDITY: VIOLENCE & GORE: FRIGHTENING & INTENSE SCENES:
AWARDS FOR ROCKETMAN (2019) Cannes Film Festival 2019 - Nominee - Queer Palm - Dexter Fletcher Elton John & Taron Egerton - ‘Tiny Dancer’ (Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party) Elton John & Taron Egerton - ‘Rocketman’ (Elton John Cannes Film Festival) Read about Rocket Man On the Internet Movie Data Base |
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Cast: Cast overview, first billed only: Taron Egerton ... Elton John Jamie Bell ... Bernie Taupin Richard Madden ... John Reid Bryce Dallas Howard ... Sheila Gemma Jones ... Ivy Steven Mackintosh ... Stanley Tom Bennett ... Fred Matthew Illesley ... Young Reggie Kit Connor ... Older Reggie Charlie Rowe ... Ray Williams Peter O'Hanlon ... Bobby (as Pete O'Hanlon) Ross Farrelly ... Cyril Evan Walsh ... Elton Dean Tate Donovan ... Doug Weston Sharmina Harrower ... Heather |
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