Rocketman

With so many biopics being released in recent times we can start to hone in on and deduce what makes a truly great one.

I believe the answer lies in truly representing the person in story, mood and aesthetic.

Granted, this seems a fairly intangible barometer but some films just leave you with the feeling and add to the person’s character, legacy or personality. The sleekness and theatre of Steve Jobs, the strikingly stark black and white of Control and now we can add the exuberance and pizzazz of Rocketman: the story of Elton John.

Unlike a certain other rock icon depicted on the big screen last year, Rocketman is the very immortalisation of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, a proper ‘warts n’ all’ tale of the man as he is, and was, as opposed to merely playing lip service and deference to a legend.

This is a wild tale, stunningly off book in terms of format full of flights of fancy, spontaneous musical routines and explicit sex and drug use. In short, it’s everything Bohemian Rhapsody should have been.

Bizarrely enough, Dexter Fletcher (who picked up the pieces on Bo’ Rhap’ after original Director Bryan Singer left the project) is the man behind this magisterial tale of a bigger-than-life personality. The film itself reflects this, not just in the crazy outfits but in bravura performance sequences of Elton’s huge catalogue (this film proves just how many bangers this man has in his locker.) Whether in Elton’s first American performance which causes him and his audience to spontaneously levitate, walking into a perfect replica of one of his music videos, turning into an actual rocket man or even singing underwater (scratching my head as to how they achieved this one!)

Taron Egerton puts in an awards-worthy performance. Like Rami Malek he’s more than a caricature or impression, he embodies the man, feels every emotion and belts the hits like you wouldn’t believe (if Sing proved he had a cracking voice, he further proves it here.)

He’s ably supported by a glittering supporting cast who all flesh out their characters and parts in the story. From Jamie Bell’s quiet but vital Bernie Taupin to Richard Madden’s seductive and intoxicating John Reid.

It’s a film not ashamed to show the real story, the struggles behind the success. From the moment Elton walks into an AA meeting in a Devil costume you’re whisked away on a magical journey. Sure, the title cards over the credits are cheesy to say the absolute least and it ends a little prematurely (almost like they couldn’t find anyone to play an older Elton) but these are forgivable flaws in a film so full of life.

A perfect example of how to present a true story in film form. A triumph of style and substance which can print the myth, legend and the fact.

File under (Captain) Fantastic.

5 stars *****